Dragnet: The Big Jules (EP5069)

The Great Detectives Present Dragnet (Old Time Radio)

Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigate a high-grade European heroin ring infiltrating Los Angeles. Following the arrest of an add

Key takeaways

• High-grade European heroin is being distributed via Los Angeles ports.
• Suspect Jennings provided the first lead after his arrest for possession of narcotics.

Main topics

• Narcotics investigation
• Undercover operations

Notable quotes

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Conclusion

A classic procedural study of how police use undercover work and infor

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:28) Welcome to The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one-time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. Box 15913. That's P.O. Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715. And you can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net. But now, we're going to get to today's episode. A warning in terms of sound quality, particularly with Dragnet. I feel like most of the Dragnet episodes, we've gotten a lot better versions, higher sound quality. This one really does feel like the sort of quality I was dealing with 19 years ago when we started the old-time Dragnet program. But still very listenable. Here, from June 19th, 1952, it's The Big Jewels. The story you are about Speaker 6 (1:54) to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Speaker 6 (2:07) You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a narcotics detail. A steady supply of high-grade narcotics is finding its way into your city. For two months, you've been trying to run down the source. The first real break finally comes. Your job? Check it out. Speaker 7 (2:28) Drag Miss. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. Speaker 7 (2:53) It was Thursday, October 8th. Speaker 5 (2:55) It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of narcotics detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Kearney. My name is Friday. It was 4.05 p.m. when I got to 318 West 1st Street, the first floor. Narcotics detail. Joe? Hi, Frank. You all threw up in court, eh? Yeah, I just went to the jury. I don't think they'll be out long. Well, I hope they hook him this time. He's overdue. I don't see how they can miss. You can't tell, though. You never know what a jury's gonna do. Yeah. What do you got here? The following car brought him in about a half hour ago. Pretty high. What's he shooting? H. He had a big pop. Can't talk to him. Anything on him? Two caps. Had them taped inside the collar of his shirt. Crime lab analyzed it. Speaker 3 (3:32) Same stuff we've been chasing. European. High grade. He come up with anything? Nothing. He talks a lot, but he didn't say anything. Why don't you take him on? I'll give it a try. Mr. Jennings? This is my partner, Sergeant Friday. Well, how do you do, sir? Sure happy to know you, Sergeant. Have a chair. Speaker 5 (3:48) Yeah, thank you. Speaker 3 (3:51) Want a cigarette? Yeah, I don't mind if I do. Speaker 5 (3:53) All right. Speaker 3 (3:53) Here, I'll give you a light. Speaker 3 (3:59) Thank you. By the way, Sergeant, if you have any influence around here at all, I'd sure appreciate it if you'd tell this young fellow here to relax. He worries too much. Keeps telling me there's something wrong. Wasn't there, Mr. Jennings? No, of course not. It's not that I don't enjoy the boys' company, but I've got an appointment. Very important one, 11 o'clock this morning. Is that so? Yes, very important. I have to be there at 11 sharp. You're a little late, aren't you? It's past four in the afternoon. Oh, no, it couldn't be. The clock on the wall right behind you. Hmm? Well, what do you know about that? That time sure flies. Well, now wait for me. Well, I'd better get a move on. Sure glad to have met you, Sergeant. Tried to meet you too, Speaker 5 (4:35) young man. Now, just a minute, Mr. Jennings. It's not that simple. You'd better sit down. But Speaker 3 (4:38) I told you I have an appointment very important. It'll have to wait. Sit down. All right. Speaker 3 (4:44) How about it, Jenny? When did you have your last fix? What do you mean, when did I have a fix? You know what we mean. Your arm looks like a punch board. Oh, the scars. Yes, of course. I take vitamin shots. What's your doctor's name? Dr. Young. Eldon Young. Down on South Hoover. You know his phone number, do you? No, I don't. It wouldn't do any good to call him anyway. No, why? Well, he's not there. He's dead. You sure of that? Well, I ought to be. I went to his funeral. When did he die? Oh, I don't know. Two or three months ago. Sure was a nice fellow. Fine doctor. That's a sample, Joe. Been rattling off like that ever since they brought him in. Not the usual run. I'm sure not. See, he's looking busy. Look, Sergeant, I don't think I quite understand this. What's Speaker 5 (5:18) this all about? Mr. Jennings, you're hooked and you're hooked bad. When did you have your last fix? Speaker 3 (5:22) Well, to be honest with you, I don't quite remember. I'd like to make it clear, though, I'm not a bum. I'm not addicted to this stuff. You're not? Really, it's the truth. I can take it or leave it alone. I take an occasional shot. That's about the size of it. Where do you get the stuff, Jennings? Speaker 5 (5:34) I told you, my doctor... No legitimate doctor gave you the stuff they found on you. They don't dispense heroin. Now, how about it? Speaker 3 (5:39) How about what, Sergeant? Are you going to Speaker 5 (5:40) tell us the truth? Speaker 3 (5:42) Well, frankly, Sergeant, no, I don't think I will. I'm not an informer. That's up to you, mister. We're going to find out sooner or later. I'm sorry, you're not going to find out from me. Now, look, let's not get into an argument, shall we? I don't have anything against you. Matter of fact, I like you. I'd like to get along with you. We're not going to argue, Jennings. It would be useless to tell you that we're trying to help you. Are you married? Do you have a family? Yes, sir. Where do you live? Sorry, I can't tell you. I'm not dragging them into this. That's why I don't carry any identification. Speaker 5 (6:06) All right, Jennings. You want to get your hat? Let's go. Go where? Main jail. We're booking in. Why? What for? Possession of Speaker 3 (6:12) narcotics. But I told you I'm not a man, Dick. You can't keep me in jail. I only use it occasionally. Yeah, sure. Is there anything wrong with that? Can't pay any harm on that, can you? Are you listening? One minute. I'll tell you that in the morning, will you? Speaker 5 (6:28) 4.38 p.m. The felony car officers who picked up the suspect Jennings took him to the main jail where they booked him for violation of the H &S code section 11,500. He'd been checked through R &I, but he had no previous criminal record. Knowing that he was bound to become ill, he was ordered into isolation and the jailer instructed to notify the doctor in attendance if Jennings needed attention. 5.15 p.m. We went over to the crime lab and checked with Jay Allen, who'd analyzed the two capsules found taped to the inside of Jennings' shirt collar. He told us it was the same grade of high-test heroin which had been found in the possession of other addicts during the past two months. We knew it was of European origin. We knew it was finding its way into the city. We knew it was being made available to addicts. We picked up half a dozen pushers in the last few weeks with heroin of identical quality in their possession. But the basic source of supply still remained unknown. We were convinced that none of the pushers knew who or what the ultimate source was. The following morning... After Frank and I signed in, we went over to the main jail, signed off the suspect Jennings for interrogation, and he was brought to the interview room. His face was white and he was trembling. It was only a matter of time before he got worse, when the withdrawal pain set in. Morning, Jennings. I gotta get out of here. Speaker 3 (7:38) Nobody told me it'd be like this when I got started on this stuff. I can't stand any more of this. That? I'm gonna die. I wish I could die. Why can't they give me something? I will talk to the doctor. It's the best we can offer. He'll do what he can for you. Can you get it now? I'd like to ask you a few questions first. Don't hurry, will you? I'm sick, awful sick. Where'd he get your stuff, Jennings? I don't know. It's the truth. I don't. How do you get your junk? Followed me and Betty. Bartender. I give him the money. He brings the stuff back. How much you pay for it? Six. Six dollars a cap. I don't know what he pays. I pay him six dollars. Do you use it? Says he isn't. I don't know. I think he is. How about that, doctor? I can't take this. Where do we contact Eddie? Far in South Main. Near 4th. One with a big airplane on the sign. What's his last name, you know? Eddie what? I don't know. I don't know. What's he look like? Tall. Got blonde hair. Wears a big signet ring. Eddie, that's all I know. Good guy. He was trying to help me. Any idea where he gets the junk? I don't know, except one night I was with him. Yeah? I drove out to a little junk in Manchester, Bear Garden. He went in alone. When we got back downtown, he had the stuff. I don't know. Speaker 5 (8:32) You know if he got it from a man who worked there, or do you think it could have been one of the customers? Speaker 3