Undercover

Summary

The fascinating and extraordinary inside story from the man who was actually there. - Rob Gittins, Screenwriter and Novelist, Writer of 'Julie' BBC Drama

To infiltrate international drug cartels, he had to become a player..

‘Undercover’: The true story behind Operation Julie, one of Britain's largest drug busts and how the same detective infiltrated a cartel planning to smuggle cocaine into Britain.

Forget ‘Breaking Bad’ this is the extraordinary story of the 1970s Welsh LSD ring that supplied the world, told by a cop in deepest cover on the case.

In the dim chaos of a Liverpool nightclub, a sharp question cut through the noise: “Are you guys cops?”

For Steve Jackson, the words chilled him to the bone. Jackson wasn’t just his name—it was his cover. As an undercover officer navigating the ruthless world of drug cartels, his life depended on the perfect lie.

This gripping true crime story pulls you deep into the double life of Stephen Bentley, one of the pioneers of British undercover policing. With no training manuals or playbooks, Bentley dived headfirst into the underworld during Operation Julie, a groundbreaking investigation that dismantled a global drug empire. The operation led to the seizure of 90% of the world’s LSD supply, exposed a massive cocaine importation scheme and resulted in 15 convictions totalling 124 years in prison.

But success came at a cost. Living a lie meant constant danger, personal sacrifice, and psychological tolls.

Did Bentley cross lines to maintain his cover?

What does it take to truly live in the shadows, and how does it feel to return to the light?

Based on real events, ‘Undercover’ chronicles not just a legendary case but also the personal and professional battles of an officer who shaped undercover policing.