The Mahogany Mafia: Murder and Conspiracy in the Jungle
The second non-fiction book in Alacrity and Dispatch: The Chronicles of a Citizen-Soldier's Selfless Service immerses readers in a harrowing true story of jungle survival, betrayal, and the relentless fight against corruption. Set in the untamed Honduran rainforest, Adam Rousselle Sr.'s ambition to build a timber empire clashes with a shadowy underworld of organized crime, environmental exploitation, and ruthless adversaries. No longer a soldier, Adam returns to the same jungles where he once trained the Contras-this time as an entrepreneur determined to transform Honduras' prized mahogany into a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth.
What begins as an ambitious and innovative effort to construct a sawmill and build a fair and thriving timber business quickly spirals into a brutal battle for survival. In the heart of the rainforest, Adam comes face-to-face with The Mahogany Mafia-a powerful syndicate of corrupt officials, criminal networks, and competitors willing to sabotage, betray, and kill to maintain control over the mahogany trade. Hijacked shipments, violent confrontations, and calculated betrayals transform Adam's vision into a relentless game of strategy and survival. The stakes grow higher with every decision as he confronts enemies who stop at nothing to protect their profits.
Drawing on the leadership under pressure and ingenuity forged during his military career, Adam crafts bold and unconventional strategies to navigate a treacherous landscape filled with deception and violence. Yet his fight in the jungle extends beyond business. The imprisonment of his sawmill staff in Penal La Ceiba, a notorious Honduran open-air prison-where survival is measured in moments-forces Adam to confront a chilling reality. With limited resources and allies, he battles against unspeakable horrors to free his people while maintaining his moral compass. Each setback pushes Adam to the brink, but failure is not an option.
As the jungle exacts its toll, Adam is then haunted by his father's imprisonment and death in Penal La Ceiba-a shadow that looms over his every move. The personal loss fuels his unrelenting resolve to challenge the forces of greed and violence threatening his mission. Adam's battles against organized crime and environmental exploitation lay the foundation for his revolutionary breakthroughs that will later reshape industries and combat poverty across Central America. From navigating betrayal to devising survival strategies, Adam's story is a testament to the power of resilience, courage, and unyielding determination.
The Mahogany Mafia blends heart-stopping action with profound reflection, capturing the volatile beauty of the Honduran rainforest and the dark realities of those who exploit it. Rich with vivid detail, the book paints an unforgettable portrait of ambition, sacrifice, and moral conviction. Adam's struggles set the stage for his audacious partnership with NASA, pioneer innovations in the timber and energy sector, and ultimately his fight against systemic poverty in Puerto Rico and Central America.
Suspenseful, deeply personal, and brilliantly told, The Mahogany Mafia invites readers into a world where survival depends on courage, strategy, and the ability to confront betrayal head-on. Perfect for fans of true crime memoirs, leadership stories, and survival narratives, this book dares readers to face the price of ambition and the sacrifices required to forge a legacy of justice and transformation.
But like combat, the jungle's dangers are relentless-and the costs of victory are often higher than anyone can imagine. What will the Mahogany Mafia demand as payment?
Rousselle, Adam R.: - Adam Rousselle Sr. Chief Executive Officer, Caribbean Basin Power Authority. CBPA Mission: Lead Energy Independence, Build American Prosperity, Fortify National Security by Delivering American Electricity to an Interconnected Hemisphere. Under Rousselle's leadership, CBPA bridges the gap in energy equity by delivering reliable, low-cost electricity throughout the Caribbean, including Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Colombia. This transformative mission strengthens regional alliances, enhances U.S. energy independence, and fosters prosperity across the Western Hemisphere. Adam Rousselle is a visionary leader in the energy and bulk electric transmission sectors, with nearly three decades of groundbreaking innovations. He has pioneered advanced remote sensing technologies and transformative energy solutions, earning recognition as a trailblazer in both industries. As the principal inventor of eight U.S. patents and over 30 international patents, his work has revolutionized asset management and operational efficiencies for critical infrastructure. In the late 1990s, Rousselle partnered with NASA to develop remote sensing technologies that inventoried timber from space, redefining timber asset management and improving valuations. His innovations exposed illegal logging in Indonesia and positioned him as the world's leading consumer of commercial satellite imagery by 2003. In 2005, he founded Utility Risk Management Corporation, applying these technologies to optimize vegetation management. Rousselle's expertise led to the invention of thermography, enabling independent facility rating analysis on the bulk electric system, identifying available transmission capacity, and unlocking financial transmission rights. In 2017, he founded Alternative Transmission, Inc., introducing a patented disaggregated battery system that transmits electricity without wires, delivering power during national emergencies. Today, as CEO of CBPA, Rousselle drives American energy leadership in the Caribbean Basin. Through Project Equity, he oversees undersea and underground transmission systems to provide Puerto Rico with resilient, affordable energy. This work enhances energy security for millions of American citizens and establishes the U.S. as the energy powerhouse of the Western Hemisphere A decorated combat-disabled U.S. Army veteran, Rousselle is committed to resilience, innovation, and humanitarian impact. His leadership ensures CBPA is more than a utility-it is a force for economic growth, national security, and regional prosperity
