The Spy Who Sold Codes and Cocaine | Prison Break | 3

0:00This episode includes depictions of torture and drug use. Please be advised. November 2nd, 1976. Mexico City. Dalton Lee looks out at the crowds surging around his taxi. It's the Day of the Dead Festival, and hundreds are in skeleton masks and costumes and playing maracas or drums. Others carry flowers and hold lighted candles for the dead. Lee takes a sniff of cocaine to steal his nerves. He's on his way to the Soviet embassy, and he's not sure of his welcome. He can't remember much of his last visit. It's a blur of alcohol and drugs. He remembers a lot of shouting, mostly at him. He arrived in Mexico City yesterday and signaled for a meeting.

0:48But his KGB handlers never showed. Now he's desperate. He has a shipment of heroin coming due for payment, and he's out of money. but he's been sitting on some of the spy satellite ciphers and documents provided by his friend Christopher Boyce for moments just like this.

1:08The taxi drops Lee near the Soviet embassy. Now he's here, he needs to get past the security guard at the entrance. He spots a black limo with diplomatic number plates causing the traffic. It's heading towards the embassy. He grins and joins the crowd milling on the sidewalk. outside the entrance. The limo inches forward and then turns into the embassy. As the gates open, Lee crouches down near the back tire of the limo on the opposite side to the security guard. Staying low, he moves on his haunches using the cover of the car to sneak inside the walled embassy. He keeps to the shadows of the garden and waits for the front door to open to let in the limo's occupants.

1:51He rushes in behind them and addresses the startled guard. I need to see Boris. You know, KGB. Boris. The guard looks startled, but then goes to find someone. Lee leans against the wall, feeling clever. But then, his KGB handler, Boris Grishin, appears. You were told not to come here, are you stupid? Lee holds out an envelope with a few strips of Meenock's film inside. I signalled you you never came. I've got more ciphers for you. I need$10 ,000 for them. You said you could get the frequencies. You lied. Hey, I am sick of risking my ass for you Russians and not getting paid enough for it. Before he knows what's happening, Grishin pulls Lee's jacket over his head so his arms are pinned helplessly in the air and he can't see anything.

2:40Get off me! He feels himself being manhandled out to the embassy and pushed into the limo. Unable to see, he tries to reason with Grishin. Listen, if you don't want what we got, I'll take it to the Chinese. No! A hard kick silences Lee. Be quiet. The limo lurches forward and speeds out onto the noisy streets. Fear starts to corrode Lee's cocaine-induced confidence. He wonders if he's pushed the Soviets too far. Eventually, the car slows. Lee feels someone reach over and open the door. The car is still moving as Lee is pushed out. No, no, please, no! He hits the cobblestones hard. Disoriented and terrified, he gets to his feet just in time to see the limo disappear around a corner, along with his chance to get the money he needs to pay for the heroin he's bought.

3:36They say the average person makes about 35 ,000 decisions a day. Big ones. Small ones. What to eat. What to wear. What still fits. So here's one decision you don't have to think about. Fruit of the Loom women's underwear. Comfortable. Reliable. No fuss. It just works. Every single day. Fruit of the Loom. Because simple feels really good. This is Audible. From Audible Originals, I'm Raza Jaffrey, and this is The Spy Who. In the last episode, distrust broke out between spy buddies Christopher Boyce and Dalton Lee, leading to a drunken bust-up in front of the KGB. Now, the Russians are ghosting them, but neither Boyce or Lee are ready to quit.

4:31You're listening to The Spy Who Sold Codes and Cocaine. This is Episode 3, Prison Break.

4:48One month later, December 7th, 1976, Los Angeles. From a room on the third floor of the Hacienda Airport Hotel, Dalton Lee watches the children playing in the pool. He got a message from Christopher Boyce to meet him here, but he doesn't know why. Boyce enters, carrying a satchel bag. Ah, good. You're already here. Yeah, I am. But why? One last photography session. No way, man. I am done with the Russians. They threw me out of a moving car last time I saw them. All this spy shit we've been doing, it's over, man. It's your own fault. You're always holding stuff back or telling them you can get stuff you can't.

5:27But this is the real deal. Boyce upends the satchel bag onto the bed, and a thick lever arch file slides out. On its front is the logo of TRW, the spy satellite maker Boyce works for, and a label, Top Secret Pyramida. What's Pyramida? It's a spy satellite system, TRW, designed for the CIA. It will let them communicate with agents anywhere in the world at any time. Can't they do that already? No, they have to wait for the satellite to be overhead. The point is, it's big. It's going to be worth at least$75 ,000 to the Soviets. Lee hesitates. $75 ,000 is a lot of money. enough to pay off the mounting debts from his failed drug deals.

6:15Boyce grins at him. Think about it. One last delivery to the Russians before I go to college, and then we're out. So, let's make it an epic one. Boyce starts taking each piece of paper out of the file and taping it to the wall, ready to be photographed. He glances at Lee. Well, okay, fine. Let me make a quick call first.

6:38Lee runs downstairs to the payphone in the hotel lobby. He covers the receiver with his hand as he speaks. Yeah, it's me. Yeah, but in the order. Five pounds. I'm telling you, it's definitely coming in this time. I'll pay you in January, okay? He hangs up and rubs his hands together. He could double, even triple, his share of the$75 ,000 with a successful drugs deal. That is his ticket out of the game. A retirement on the beaches of Costa Rica, or perhaps the capital, to start a legitimate business with his brother. Lee bounces back up the stairs, two at a time. His fear of the Soviets forgotten.

7:23The following month, January 1977, Mexico City. Lee paces the streets overlooking the Soviet embassy with a nightmarish sense of deja vu. Once again, the Soviets are ignoring his signals requesting a meeting. The thought of what Boris might do if he turns up at the embassy again makes him feel queasy. But if he doesn't get the money to his Mexican contact in Culiacán by tomorrow, they'll put out a hit on him. He chews his lip with worry and indecision. Finally, he thinks he has a solution. He takes his Spanish-English dictionary out of his pocket and removes the dust jacket. Then he fishes a stubby pencil out of another pocket and scribbles the letters KGB on it.

8:06He scrunches it into a ball, crosses the road and lobs it over the top of the fence and into the Soviet embassy gardens. But as he turns to walk away, he hears a shout. A Mexican police officer is running towards him. He must have seen him throw the note over the fence. Sorry, I don't understand. Hables English? Other Mexican police officers arrive and begin talking to the Soviet security guard, who shakes his head at them. A woman walks out from the embassy and notices the altercation. Lee hails her with relief. Hey, hey, do you speak English? Yes. Are you American? Yeah. I'm with the US embassy.

8:44What's the problem? I don't know. I was just looking at the building when these policemen accosted me. The US official speaks in rapid Spanish to the police, then turns back to Lee. They say you threw something over the fence and the Russian security guard picked it up and won't hand it over. Oh, just an empty cigarette packet. What are they accusing me of? Well, littering, I suppose. Hang on, let me check. As the police and the US official talk in Spanish, Lee remembers he has a joint of marijuana in his jacket pocket. If the police find it, he could be looking at jail time. Casually, he turns his back on the group, takes a few steps and tries to surreptitiously drop the joint in the gutter.

9:24but one of the policemen notices it. He rushes over, picks up the joint and sniffs it. Ha, cannabis. Está detenido. Lee curses under his breath. He knows enough Spanish to understand when he's being arrested.

9:40Sometime later, police headquarters, Mexico City. The inspector of police looks at Lee's belongings, which have been laid out on the desk in front of him. He picks up the envelope filled with photo negatives and holds one of them up against the light. What are these? I'm a photographer. I'm doing an advertisement shoot. The police officer peers closer at the images. These are documents? Yeah, yeah, they're mock-ups. It's an advertisement that pretends this stuff is so important that it's top secret. Lee smiles, but the police inspector is no longer interested in the film. He's now more interested in the postcard given to him by the Russians.

10:21On it is an image of the traffic intersection and lampposts that Dalton uses to signal the KGB for a meeting. Why do you have this? I'm a tourist. It's a postcard. The inspector scowls. I think you lie. The inspector fetches a newspaper and slaps it down on the desk in front of Lee. On the front page is a photo that resembles the picture on Lee's postcard. The headline says a policeman was murdered there by communist terrorists. Lee's eyes widen with fear. No, no, it's a coincidence. You are a communist insurgent. You are working with the Russians. I'm not. If you want to know the truth, I'm working for the CIA.

11:03I'm giving the Russians disinformation. The inspector scoffs and nods to the police officer standing behind Lee. He steps forward and bangs both of Lee's ears sharply at the same time. You are not CIA. You are an assassin. No, I'm not. Please, you have to believe me. Suddenly, Lee's arms are pulled behind his back and tied up. He's dragged out of the inspector's office, bundled into a car, and driven to a deserted office block. Different police officers appear, surrounding him in a menacing circle. Lee fears they are Mexican secret police. One of them steps forward. You would do better to confess, amigo.

11:44We know you've met with KGB officers. No. Well, yeah, but nothing to do with Mexico. Lee doubles over with pain from the blow to his kidneys. Who do you work for? I work for the CIA. I'm spreading disinformation to the Russians. Lee is punched in the kidneys again. It feels as if his insides were about to explode. Liar! Why did you murder the policeman? I didn't. I promise I didn't Two of the policemen grab Lee by his legs And drag him over to a dirty bathroom They hoist him up so he's upside down over the toilet It's full of feces and urine Tell the truth I am I didn't kill anybody I've never killed anybody Please But his screams are in vain The men dunk his head into the foul, stinking bowl Again and again Until he vomits.

12:51The next day, University of California campus, Riverside. Christopher Boyce strolls through the leafy campus towards a payphone. He's now a college student studying history and political science, and the KGB are paying for his education. The Soviets hope Boyce will eventually secure a job in US intelligence and become even more useful. He calls the Holiday Inn in Mexico City where Lee is staying. He wants to know what the Soviets thought of the Pyramida documents. Holiday Inn, can I help you? Could you put me through to one of your guests, Mr. Lee? I'm sorry, sir, but Mr. Lee is not here. Could you check again?

13:33Please, he was booked in for tonight. He hears the receptionist whispering to someone. You will not want to speak to him, sir. A man comes on the line. I'm afraid Mr. Lee was arrested yesterday. If you need more information, you can try the American Embassy. Boyce hangs up the phone quickly, his mind spinning. He doesn't know if Lee was arrested for drugs or for spying, but he knows it doesn't matter. It's over. And sooner or later, the FBI will show up at his door. He walks slowly amidst the carefree students, lost in his thoughts. He's got at least a day's grace, maybe more, long enough to disappear.

14:13A few hours later, Ontario, Southern California. Inside the airport, Boyce looks at the clattering departures board of destinations and wonders where he should get a flight to. After a few moments, he decides it doesn't really matter and heads to the closest check-in desk. But as he gets in line, he feels sudden nausea and lightheadedness. He abandons the queue and finds a row of seats. Head low, he tries to control his breathing.

14:51Will this be his life now? Anxiety stalking him night and day. And what's the point? The FBI will probably find him anyway. After an hour of thinking, he stands and strides to a payphone. If he's going to spend the rest of his life in prison, then he needs to set something straight. He dials the number for his ex-girlfriend, Alana.

15:20On the dance floor of a darkened nightclub, Boyce stands with his arms around Alana, swaying to the slow music. Despite her hurt over their breakup, she agreed to meet him. Now it's getting late. Boyce holds Alana tightly with her head cradled into his shoulder and her heartbeat against his chest. He lowers his head so his lips are next to her ear. I didn't mean it. She lifts her head and looks into his eyes. Didn't mean what? When I told you I didn't love you? It wasn't true. I've always loved you. Alana smiles lovingly at him and puts her fingers against his cheek. I know, stupid. They kiss, and Voice wishes it could last forever.

16:04But he knows tomorrow he'll need to leave her again. This memory will be all he has to hang on to. One week later, Mexico City. After several days of interrogation by Mexico's secret police, Lee is back in the city's police headquarters, battered, unshaven, and foul-smelling. He is led into a more civilized interview room, where two white men in suits are waiting. His heart leaps. Are you Americans? Please, you have to get me out of here. I'm being tortured. One of the men nods and pushes forward a stack of photos. But we're the FBI, and we can get you out of here, Mr. Lee, but first we need to ask you a few questions.

16:45About these. Lee looks with foreboding at the photos. He recognizes them. They've been developed from the microfilm he had on him when he was arrested. And at the top of each photo are the words top secret pyramid.

17:03Here it is. This corner kick could be a big one. There's the cross. It rises to meet it. And it's a car. Soccer's biggest tournament is here. And Enterprise is turning every corner kick goal into your chance to win a car. The moment a corner kick is called, post on X with hashtag on every corner, hashtag sweepstakes, and tag Enterprise. If it's a corner kick goal, you could win. Winners may pick up their cars at an Enterprise or an Enterprise car sales location on a corner near them. With over a thousand corner kicks expected, that's a lot of chances to win. For more details and an additional chance to win, visit oneverycorner.com.

17:44No purchase necessary for legal residents of the 50 U.S. states in D.C., Puerto Rico, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain who are 21 and older. Sweepstakes end July 19th, 2026. Void where prohibited. Prize awarded if a corner kick goal is scored. For entry details and official rules, visit oneverycorner.com. Confidence. It's listening to your gut. It's moving forward, even when the path ahead is unclear. For nearly 160 years, Pacific Life has helped people keep their promises, building confidence for generations. Whether you're confident in your financial future or just beginning to envision it, we're here to help.

18:22Ask a financial professional how. Pacific Life, the power of a promise. Pacific Life Insurance Company, Omaha, Nebraska. And in New York, Pacific Life and Annuity, Phoenix, Arizona.

18:38Two days later, January 16th, 1977, Southern California. Boyce sits in the passenger seat of a station wagon with an empty hawk cage on his lap. The driver is another falconer who Boyce has spent the day helping. It's been just over a week since he found out about Lee's arrest, and Boyce has moved into a shack he rents on a former turkey farm to spend as much time with falcons as possible before his inevitable arrest. Boyce's companion pulls up outside the shack. Wanna have another go trapping that hawk next weekend? But in the side mirror, Boyce has spotted the telltale dust cloud of a car driving up fast behind them.

19:16I think I might be otherwise engaged. A long brown car screeches to a gravel-spraying halt behind them. Men rush out from hiding in nearby turkey pens, but their guns race. FBI, freeze! Which one of you is Boyce? His terrified companion puts his hands in the air and stares at Boyce with wide eyes. It's enough for the FBI agent. Boyce's door is yanked open. The hawk trap is flung onto the ground and Boyce is pulled roughly out by his shirt front, spun around and slammed face up against the car. His arms are twisted painfully behind him as they pat him down for a weapon before snapping cuffs on him.

19:58Christopher John Boyce, you are under arrest for espionage. You fucking traitor. Boyce doesn't answer. With the side of his face pressed against the car, he can see through the window of his rented shack and into his bedroom. And there, on a perch, bobbing and screeching, is his falcon, unsettled by the noise of his arrest. I'm sorry, boy. I'm so sorry. Voice is roughly pushed into the back seat of the FBI car. The car door slams shut. Tears spring to his eyes as it also shouts out his falcon's cry.

20:35Almost three years later, late 1979. 2009, Lompoc Prison, California. Where'd your stuff go, short ass? From the doorway, Boyce surveys the blackened and sooty remains of Dalton Lee's prison cell. Even though Boyce lives on a different wing, he knows this isn't the first time other prisoners have sprayed Lee's cell with lighter fluid and lit a match. Inside the cell, Lee picks up the warped plastic lump that used to be his radio. He scowls when he sees Boyce standing at his door. What the hell do you want? Since their arrests, Boyce and Lee's interactions have been few and fraught. They had separate trials where each blamed the other for their espionage crimes.

21:22Lee claimed Boyce was actually a CIA agent who ruthlessly used him as a hapless pawn. A story Boyce has since learned that Lee has convinced himself is the truth. Boyce emphasized Lee's blackmail threats as a reason he felt compelled to continue spying. Now, they are both convicts and serving time in the same prison. Boyce has tried to restore their friendship. He knows prison life is difficult enough without more enemies, but Lee is resistant and bitter. His short stature has also made him the target of relentless harassment by other prisoners. Boyce checks no guards are nearby. I came to discuss something we've talked about before.

22:04Boyce finds prison life impossible to bear. He still has nightmares about a prisoner who was hacked to pieces in the cell next to his a few months ago. So, Boyce has made repeated attempts to escape from other prisons, which has seen him put in solitary confinement for long periods. But that didn't stop him planning another prison break as soon as he arrived at Lompoc. Lee rolls his eyes. Unless you are planning on hiring a helicopter, it's not going to work. I found a blind spot and a hole. We can move under the cover of darkness. We? You want to stay here? I hate to break it to you, but I don't think your neighbours like you very much.

22:43Lee scowls at him and starts sweeping up the charred remains of his letters and books. Given that your bright idea got us in here, I think I'll pass. Voice feels a spurt of anger. He's upset at how their friendship has disintegrated, but Lee also irritates him like no one else. Fine, I just didn't want to leave without giving you a chance to leave too. I can look after myself. Lee turns his back on him and Boyce walks away. Two months later, in the grounds near the outer perimeter of the prison, Boyce is in a work gang that's clearing out silt from a concealed drainage pipe. But this job is just a ruse, Bays escape.

23:24Boyce has befriended the prisoner who heads the work gang and told him about his escape plan. The prisoner is close to parole, so has decided not to go with Boyce, but he's promised to help by forging a work order to unblock the drain. They've used that forgery to spend the last four hours pretending to be digging out silt from the drain hole when they're actually turning it into an even deeper hole. And now the time for Boyce to make his break has come. As the sun starts to set, Boyce signals to his friend. I just dig that last bit out. Boyce lowers himself feet first into the drainage hole. It's a tight squeeze.

24:03The hole is only just wide enough to fit his thin shoulders, but he's dug down deep enough that once inside, his head disappears from view. To maintain the ruse, he starts digging mud and muck out with a coffee can and handing it up to his friend above. After 15 minutes of digging, his prison pal passes down a Hessian bag of escape tools that Boyce quickly conceals beneath his feet. From above, Boyce hears a guard approach the workgroup. Are you finished yet? I think we're about done, sir. Boyce listens as the workgroup packs away their tools. His friend's face appears at the entrance to the drain.

24:39He winks at Boyce, then replaces the grate that covers the hole. Boyce lies tightly curled in the gloom of the drain. He waits for the guards and workgroup to leave. He holds his breath, sure that the guards will soon notice his absence. But there is no alarm, just the onset of silence as curfew kicks in. He breathes a sigh of relief. In his cell, hidden under his bed, is a papier-mâché bust he made of himself. Once back in the prison, his friend will stick that figure under the blankets on his bed to fool the guards doing the night rounds. Nobody will notice he's gone until the morning.

25:24A few hours later, Boyce removes the grate slowly and pulls his mud-caked body out of the drain. He crouches low and hurries through the darkness to the blind spot at the perimeter that he spotted months ago. The blind spot was created when a new guard tower was built without removing the old guard tower, and Boyce appears to be the only person who has realized the security flaw. It's also near the only part of the fence that doesn't have a double roll of razor wire on the other side. From the Hessian bag, he pulls out the two-by-fours he made in the prison workshop and leans them against the fence to create a makeshift ladder.