By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

Seth Harp's "The Fort Bragg Cartel: Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces" is a harrowing exposé that peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding one of America's most elite military installations. Harp, an investigative journalist with firsthand military experience, embarks on a meticulous journey to uncover the dark underbelly of Fort Bragg, revealing a disturbing nexus of drug trafficking, violence, and institutional cover-ups.

The narrative is anchored by the chilling discovery in December 2020 of two bodies in a secluded area of Fort Bragg: Master Sergeant William "Billy" Lavigne, a Delta Force operator, and Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Dumas, a Special Forces supply officer. Harp delves into their backgrounds, exposing Lavigne's addiction to crack cocaine and involvement in on-base drug dealings, and Dumas's exploitation of his position to smuggle weapons and narcotics. These personal stories serve as a microcosm of a broader, systemic issue within the Special Forces community.

Harp's investigative rigor is evident as he draws from declassified documents, trial transcripts, police records, and hundreds of interviews. He paints a damning portrait of a culture where soldiers returning from Afghanistan smuggled opioids and other narcotics into the U.S., sometimes in collaboration with Mexican cartels. The book details how the same skills that make soldiers effective in combat—stealth, risk tolerance, and the ability to operate in gray areas—can also make them highly effective criminals. ([theliterarycompass.com](https://theliterarycompass.com/book-review/the-fort-bragg-cartel-drug-trafficking-murder-special-forces-review/?utm_source=openai))

One of the most striking themes is the duality of identity among Special Forces soldiers. By day, these men embody valor, discipline, and brotherhood. By night, some slip into a parallel underworld of drugs, violence, and secrecy. Harp suggests systemic institutional blindness, where leadership at Fort Bragg often turned a blind eye to misconduct to preserve the myth of elite soldiers as untouchable heroes. ([theliterarycompass.com](https://theliterarycompass.com/book-review/the-fort-bragg-cartel-drug-trafficking-murder-special-forces-review/?utm_source=openai))

The book also highlights the psychological toll of endless deployments. Harp connects substance abuse and criminality to untreated trauma, PTSD, and the disillusionment soldiers feel upon returning home. For some, crime became both an escape and a continuation of the high-stakes adrenaline that combat once provided. ([theliterarycompass.com](https://theliterarycompass.com/book-review/the-fort-bragg-cartel-drug-trafficking-murder-special-forces-review/?utm_source=openai))

Harp's unflinching delivery encourages readers to focus on these concerns, which are clearly in need of large-scale change. ([audiofilemagazine.com](https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/276394/the-fort-bragg-cartel-by-seth-harp-read-by-dan-john-miller/?utm_source=openai)) His tone is unflinching but measured, weaving together personal testimonies and factual records with the pacing of a thriller. ([theliterarycompass.com](https://theliterarycompass.com/book-review/the-fort-bragg-cartel-drug-trafficking-murder-special-forces-review/?utm_source=openai))

In conclusion, "The Fort Bragg Cartel" is a deeply disturbing yet essential read that sheds light on the pernicious consequences of continuous war and the moral injuries inflicted upon those who serve. Harp's meticulous reporting and compelling narrative make this book a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the full cost of America's overseas conflicts.

Highly recommended!

Recommendation: Highly recommended!

written on: 8/21/2025