There are pilots who made millions smuggling and then walked away from the danger and the risk. Some invested their wealth in legitimate businesses and real estate; others blew it on expensive toys and partying. We will never know how many got away with it...because most of those pilots have kept their stories to themselves.

But there are some who have shared their stories for all to hear, and in this episode (the first of two on his story), you'll hear how Billy Dekle made his millions and lost them. You'll hear how he survived flights that others didn't, and when his career as a smuggler came crashing down, Billy went to prison for life.

Billy's story continues in Episode 12 How Are You Still Alive? Part 2.

For a detailed account of his life as a smuggler, and how that affected his family, check out "Flying High With Gringo Billy" written by Billy and his wife Kay, available here on Amazon.