Podcasts about cartels

Bolivia's Cerro Rico has been spewing out tons of silver for centuries. It was the economic bellows of the Spanish Revolution, whose lust for the precious metal came at the price of some eight million slaves. Some of the empire's earliest gangs formed around the Cerro. They were called ‘Jukus,' and one man stood above (or below) them all. Today's there's another, modern silver rush at Cerro Rico — and it's being led by the green energy revolution. EVs, wind turbines and data centers are all hungry for silver. Its price has almost quadrupled. That has brought a new wave of organized crime to Bolivia. This time they're smart, and armed. And the only people holding them back are a band of women packing nothing but dogs and sticks of dynamite. But Bolivia isn't alone. The race for rare-earth minerals has drawn cartels to mines across Latin America, killing miners and taking over entire operations from Quito to Cali. This documentary-style episode digs into organized crime's newest trend — and shows how dirty clean energy really is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mexican content creators are being executed in real time on TikTok and Instagram as rival factions of the Sinaloa Cartel settle scores in public. César Gastélum's murder outside a fast-food restaurant is only the latest in a string of more than a dozen influencer killings tied to the bloody Chapitos-Mayos split. This episode examines why narco groups now treat social media stars as both propaganda tools and disposable liabilities.

John talks with Frank Tarentino, Associate Chief of Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Northeast Region, about the agency's strategy to combat the narcotics crisis through massive drug seizures and the dismantling of international cartels.

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Today's guest is Tania Rashid. She is an award-winning correspondent and producer who reports across the globe, with a career spanning CNN International, PBS NewsHour, NBC News, National Geographic Channel, VICE News, and others. She was a correspondent on VICE's Criminal Planet series, including the episode "Butchered for Profit: Inside Organ Trafficking," which goes inside the global black market for organs to meet the surgeons and traffickers profiting from it, with reporting spanning Mexico, China, and Pakistan.You can find more of her work at: https://www.taniarashid.com/ Change Agents is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at ⁠https://firecracker.farm/⁠ (00:00) "I Think I'm Going to Sell Their Kidneys" (00:29) Meet Tania Rashid (01:00) From Saudi Arabia to Salt Lake City: Tania's Origin Story (09:51) Inside "Butchered for Profit": Pakistan's Organ Trade (20:31) Mexico's Cartel-Run Organ Trafficking Networks (28:34) Why Exposure Doesn't Equal Change (30:40) Earning Trust With Traffickers and Cartel Members 35:24 Trauma, Healing & Advice for Future Journalists Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leo Silva grew up in Texas, was recruited into the DEA at just 22 years old, and spent the next 28 years on the front lines of America's war on drugs — starting with undercover operations in Texas before being stationed in Monterrey Mexico as Resident Agent in Charge where he built cases against the Gulf Cartel and the infamous Los Zetas and eventually rose to Special Agent in Charge. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, he shares what hunting cartels from the inside of Mexico really looked like — the undercover buys the high stakes operations the cartel violence and the bureaucracy that most people on the outside never hear about. He also breaks down how cartels have evolved over nearly three decades how Los Zetas changed everything about cartel violence and what the real truth about the war on drugs looks like from the person who lived it on the front lines for 28 years. _____________________________________________ #cops #cartels #truecrimestories _____________________________________________ Connect with Leo Silva: https://leosilvaauthor.com/ _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Timestamps:  00:00 Meet Leo Silva: DEA Agent's Story 01:18 Growing Up on the Border 02:18 Early Encounters With Cartel Culture 03:32 Choosing DEA Over Teaching 05:03 Training, Family Reactions, and Joining DEA 07:07 First Assignment in Texas 08:18 Undercover Work & Street Smarts 09:55 DEA Training vs. Real-World Experience 12:22 Being a Young Undercover Agent 14:04 Cartel Connections and Local Targets 17:44 Violence and Danger Along the Border 18:56 Cases, Informants, and Prosecution 21:14 Experiencing the Drug Trade Firsthand 24:47 Wiretaps and Changing Technology 27:14 Big Undercover Operations 29:20 Handling Risk and Mental Toll 32:08 Life as a DEA Agent in Texas 36:42 Transferring to Mexico: Bigger Targets 41:09 Adapting to Work in Mexico 44:00 Operations Against Zetas and Cartel Wars 48:19 Cartels, Corruption, and Survival 52:51 Cartel Violence and Evolution 57:08 Prioritizing Cases & Supervisory Challenges 01:01:17 Mexico Operations, Leadership, and Cartel Dynamics 01:07:59 Cartel Power, Money, and Tactics 01:12:00 Personal Toll, Stress & Burnout 01:17:21 Darkest Moments: Loss and Violence 01:19:44 Justice, Reforms & Mexico's Future 01:21:26 Retirement, Recovery, and Life After DEA 01:24:42 Reflections, Writing, and Final Thoughts _____________________________________________   To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka

In this episode, Tom Fox welcomes back Matt Ellis of Miller & Chevalier to recap ACI's inaugural two-day Cartel Conference in Washington, DC, highlighting an unusually collaborative, high-energy atmosphere around emerging cartel/TCO/FTO compliance risks in Latin America. They discuss DOJ's Scoular FCPA action as illustrating the long tail of enforcement and a high bar for managing cartel-related and national security risks, while noting the DPA's remedial steps focus more on traditional anti-corruption controls than TCO/FTO-specific guidance. Government participants emphasized a “whole of government” approach, voluntary disclosure, and potential public-private engagement (including embassy attachés and Treasury) in high-risk scenarios. Key themes included narrow duress defenses, complex “imposter” risks, evolving due diligence beyond traditional screening using data/anomaly detection and local intelligence, and the need to integrate compliance across AML, sanctions, security, and supply chain given severe reputational and business consequences of terrorist or cartel support. Key highlights: Conference Vibe and Energy Scoular FCPA Case Takeaways When to Engage Government Duress Defense and Safety Payments Cartel-Focused Due Diligence AML Lessons for Banks Breaking Silos in Compliance Parallels to Early FCPA Era National Security Stakes Resources: ACI National FCPA and Global Anti-Corruption Conference, December 10-11 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Washington, DC Matt Ellis on LinkedIn Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn To learn about the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the modern compliance professional, check out my latest book, The Game is Afoot-What Sherlock Holmes Teaches About Risk, Ethics and Investigations on Amazon.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode uncovers how top-tier drug cartels transformed street-level cocaine sales into institutional wealth by laundering over 40 tons of $20 bills directly through U.S. financial systems. We trace the physical journey of literal tons of drug money—from cash-stuffed duffel bags on the border to high-level Savings and Loan institutions that turned a blind eye for a massive cut. Step inside the high-stakes logistics of transnational narco-finance to see how illegal cash flows destabilized local banking systems and fueled the rise of modern cartel empires.

Police Chief Matthew Thomas shares his unfiltered 33-year journey—from a 20-year-old jail deputy who didn't expect to survive, to undercover cartel hunter, SWAT commander, undersheriff, and now Chief of Police in Florence, Arizona.He opens up about brutal fatalities, fighting cartels as well-armed as police, the hidden trauma that nearly broke him, and the leadership lessons that saved his life and career. This is the real side of the badge most people never see. Matt drops powerful advice every young man and cop needs to hear about dealing with trauma, becoming a better leader, and staying in the fight. If you respect the men and women who serve, watch until the end and share this with someone who needs it. Anyone interested in Matt's book, Matt Thomas Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels, can find it here. https://www.amazon.com/Interceptors-Untold-Against-Mexican-Cartels/dp/0578374277 Subscribe for more real stories from those who protect our communities. Like, comment your biggest takeaway, and turn on notifications. Welcome to our channel, Reasons We Serve, a podcast dedicated to exploring the motivations, challenges, and realities of working in law enforcement. We dive deep into the personal stories of officers, discuss different career paths, and break down the roles of various agencies—from local police departments to state and federal law enforcement. If you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star review, subscribe, comment, and share. For those interested in participating in the CLIPr program for first responders, please go here: https://clipr.ai/reasonsweserve

Watch every episode ad-free & uncensored on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones Hector Berrellez is a retired DEA Special Agent. His signature case was investigating the 1985 abduction, torture, and murder of undercover DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena by Mexican drug cartels, where he uncovered a tangled web of CIA involvement in Mexican drug cartels. SPONSORS https://whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP - Use code DJP for 20% off. EPISODE LINKS The Last Narc book: https://a.co/d/01gWblpR FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/dannyjones https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - Operation Leyenda & Kiki Camarana 06:25 - The golden age of Mexico's drug cartels 08:44 - Who killed Kiki Camarena & why 12:21 - CIA's involvement in cartel drug & weapon trafficking 18:33 - Kiki Camarena discovers cocaine trafficking 25:16 - CIA agent confesses to Kiki Camarena's murder 33:35 - CIA "Larry Harrison"'s REAL identity 38:10 - Felix Rodriguez aka 'Max Gomez' 44:38 - CIA vs. DEA 47:10 - Evidence Felix Rodriguez betrayed Kiki Camarena 56:42 - Recordings of Kiki Camarena's torture 01:01:19 - Kidnapping the doctor who tortured Camarena 01:10:30 - Felix Rodriguez today 01:13:05 - El Mayo Zambada was NOT kidnapped 01:23:50 - CIA & DEA collaboration with cartels 01:26:06 - China's silent war against Americans 01:33:22 - U.S. is more corrupt than Mexico 01:38:15 - How CIA infiltrated the DEA 01:45:47 - DEA director's response to Hector's claims 01:49:14 - Felix Rodriguez's alibi 01:53:25 - What CIA & DEA are doing in Mexico today 01:55:38 - Truth behind El Mencho killing 02:04:38 - "Running with the wolves" 02:09:58 - Cartels have biological weapons 02:13:11 - Cartels own our marijuana dispensaries 02:19:39 - Fentanyl wars in Mexico 02:25:08 - How to fix the cartel problem 02:27:12 - Incineration camps in Mexico 02:32:16 - Cartels are richer & more dangerous than ever 02:38:19 - "It's all true" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

durée : 00:04:19 - Le Grand reportage de France Inter - REDIFFUSION. Le Mexique fait face à une crise humanitaire majeure avec 130 000 disparitions recensées en vingt ans. Des associations de citoyens s'organisent pour explorer des zones suspectes, souvent avec des moyens rudimentaires. - équipe : Vanessa Descouraux Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France

durée : 00:04:19 - Le 6/9 de l'été - REDIFFUSION. Le Mexique fait face à une crise humanitaire majeure avec 130 000 disparitions recensées en vingt ans. Des associations de citoyens s'organisent pour explorer des zones suspectes, souvent avec des moyens rudimentaires. - équipe : Vanessa Descouraux Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France

Welcome to another episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! On today's show, we're diving into the biggest headlines shaking up supply chains, trailer leasing traps, and a complete shift in how LTL shipper performance is measured. What we cover in this episode: Headlines: The massive $600M nuclear verdict against C.H. Robinson, a $290M cocaine bust hidden in Ecuadoran banana shipments, cartel business fronts, and the latest biweekly logistics layoff roundup. Trailer Leasing Realities: Ed Behnen (SVP of Sales at Premier Trailer Leasing) drops by the studio to talk about avoiding the "low rate" lease trap, fighting off Facebook Marketplace equipment scams, and leveraging telematics to protect your assets. Flipping the LTL Scorecard: Lance Healy (Co-Founder & CEO of FreightFAX) breaks down how FreightFAX is turning the tables by scoring shippers instead of carriers on a 900-point scale, tracking dwell times, claim rates, and "freight karma." Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? with Malcolm Harris and Michael Vincent! On today's show, we're diving into the biggest headlines shaking up supply chains, trailer leasing traps, and a complete shift in how LTL shipper performance is measured. What we cover in this episode: Headlines: The massive $600M nuclear verdict against C.H. Robinson, a $290M cocaine bust hidden in Ecuadoran banana shipments, cartel business fronts, and the latest biweekly logistics layoff roundup. Trailer Leasing Realities: Ed Behnen (SVP of Sales at Premier Trailer Leasing) drops by the studio to talk about avoiding the "low rate" lease trap, fighting off Facebook Marketplace equipment scams, and leveraging telematics to protect your assets. Flipping the LTL Scorecard: Lance Healy (Co-Founder & CEO of FreightFAX) breaks down how FreightFAX is turning the tables by scoring shippers instead of carriers on a 900-point scale, tracking dwell times, claim rates, and "freight karma." Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor - GNOSIS FREIGHT Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, truck driving remained one of the best options for blue-collar Americans to achieve a middle-class lifestyle. In a world where overpriced college degrees were required for the most simple jobs, trucking allowed a man to care for his family with relatively little time or money invested. Now foreign labor cartels are moving in to dominate the industry, displacing native-born Americans while using ethnic favoritism to corner the market. Truck driver and online commentator Justin Martin joins me to discuss how this is impacting workers and making the country less safe.  Follow on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-auron-macintyre-show/id1657770114 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6z4LBs8Fi7COupy7YYuM?si=4d9662cb34d148af Substack: https://auronmacintyre.substack.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuronMacintyre Gab: https://gab.com/AuronMacIntyre YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/AuronMacIntyre Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-390155 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@AuronMacIntyre:f Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auronmacintyre/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Mexican drug cartels haven't abandoned the old playbook of murder, corruption, and intimidation – but they've modernized it. Armed with drones, AI, sophisticated financial networks, and global criminal partnerships, they've transformed organized crime for the 21st century. Cartel expert Vanda Felbab-Brown joins Rep. Dan Crenshaw to explain how they evolved, why they're more powerful than ever, and what the United States must do to stop them.   Vanda Felbab-Brown is a senior fellow in Foreign Policy at the Brookings Institution, where she studies international organized crime, terrorism, and illicit economies. Find her on X at @VFelbabBrown and read her research here: https://www.brookings.edu/people/vanda-felbab-brown/

EP 695 part 1 Geoffrey Mosiria Responds to Sheryll Gabriela, Ch!ld Traff!ck!ng In Sonko's Era & Nairobi Cartels

You won't believe the whiplash happening at the border!

For ten months, the Marines and Sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit operated across the Caribbean under U.S. Southern Command's Operation Southern Spear, moving through one of the most complex and dynamically shifting threat environments in the Western Hemisphere, one where transnational narco-terrorist networks operate with military-grade weapons, sophisticated logistics, and the kind of adaptive counter-surveillance tradecraft that demands a level of environmental reading far beyond standard law enforcement or conventional military doctrine. This episode breaks down what that deployment actually looked like on the ground, how amphibious forces were trained and positioned to identify, track, and interdict heavily armed cartel networks operating across open water and coastal terrain where the threat picture changes faster than any fixed intelligence product can capture, and what the operational lessons from Southern Spear reveal about the future of situational awareness in counter-narcotics and hemispheric defense missions. If you want to understand how elite military units read and respond to a living, breathing narco threat environment in America's own backyard, this episode gives you the inside account of what that looks like when it is actually executed at scale. IAB Tags: Military/Defense, Law Enforcement, News/Politics, Society/Issues, Education, Personal Safety, Law/Government/Legal

While most Americans were going about their daily lives, the heavily armed Marines and Sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit were ten months deep into one of the most aggressive and least publicized counter-narcotics operations in recent American military history, taking the fight directly to transnational narco-terrorist networks operating across the Caribbean under the umbrella of Operation Southern Spear and U.S. Southern Command. This episode pulls back the curtain on what that deployment actually involved, how Marine amphibious forces were repositioned and retasked to confront cartel organizations that have grown sophisticated enough, heavily armed enough, and operationally disciplined enough to require a military response rather than a law enforcement one, and what it means that the United States quietly changed the rules of engagement in its own hemisphere to deal with the threat. From interdictions on open water to direct action against narco networks that move billions of dollars in product through the Caribbean corridor every year, this is the story of a secret war being fought in America's backyard that most people never heard about until now. IAB Tags: Crime/True Crime, Military/Defense, News/Politics, Law/Government/Legal, Society/Issues, Education, Personal Finance/Financial Crime

Today's guest is Jaeson Jones. He is a retired Captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division, and a recognized expert of Mexican drug cartels and transnational crime. He is also a correspondent for Newsmax. Borderland: Narcosis is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters (00:00) Intro (02:33) Landing the Interview with Secretary Omar Harfuch (05:58) Inside the Operation That Killed El Mencho (09:27) The Shift From Cartel Bosses to "The Company" (12:54) Why Cartel Figures Are Turning Themselves In (16:47) Current Border Conditions in Roma, Texas (21:15) Meth Trafficking Ties to Sinaloa Factions (28:41) Cartel Infiltration of Oil and Mining in Texas (35:02) "It's Over": Jones' Prediction on Cartel Collapse (40:06) What's Next for Jaeson Jones Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. Kubota Tractor Corporation: https://www.youtube.com/user/Kubotatractorcorp Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-narcosis-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=8a5eb53e12b74e3a Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of a historic, grinding 10-month deployment that just wrapped up in our own backyard. The heavily armed Marines and Sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) just returned home after spearheading Operation Southern Spear under U.S. Southern Command. We break down the stark reality of how these amphibious forces took the fight directly to heavily armed transnational narco-terrorist networks, guarded our southern approaches, and changed the rules of engagement in the Western Hemisphere.

Explore the gritty reality of JSOC-level operations along the U.S.-Mexico border, where elite interagency task forces fuse military precision, intelligence, and law enforcement to dismantle sophisticated cartel networks in a high-threat environment. This episode breaks down hardened convoy tactics under ambush risk, real-time coordination across DoD, DHS, DEA, and partner agencies, and the critical psychology of escalation control—balancing surgical strikes with strategic restraint to avoid broader violence or diplomatic fallout. Perfect for listeners seeking tactical education, operator mindset insights, government and law enforcement strategy, and special forces-inspired lessons in high-stakes decision-making under pressure.

He spent years as a U.S. Army intelligence officer — training Mexican military police, analyzing cartel threats in real time, and watching the situation get worse. Now Stefano Ritondale is telling you what the government won't.

Operating against Colombian cartel organizations required a level of environmental awareness that went far beyond conventional law enforcement, demanding that DEA agents develop the ability to read human behavior under deception, identify threat signatures in unfamiliar cultural contexts, map the invisible power structures operating beneath the surface of every interaction, and make life-or-death decisions in real time with incomplete information and no margin for error. This episode features a retired DEA agent whose career was built on exactly that kind of high-stakes situational awareness, breaking down how he learned to read people, environments, and organizational dynamics inside one of the most dangerous and deceptive operational theaters in the history of American law enforcement. Whether you are thinking about threat assessment in professional environments, human intelligence collection, or the foundational principles behind staying safe and effective when the stakes are as high as they get, this conversation delivers hard-won wisdom from someone who spent a career proving those principles under fire.

Colombian cartel organizations are not simply criminal enterprises held together by money and fear, they are sophisticated psychosocial ecosystems built on coercive loyalty, paranoid leadership structures, and the systematic psychological conditioning of everyone from street-level sicarios to high-ranking operatives who learn to dissociate violence from moral consequence in order to function inside a world where betrayal and death are constant environmental variables. This episode sits down with a retired DEA agent whose career was spent penetrating, dismantling, and understanding those ecosystems from the inside, examining what decades of cartel investigation reveal about the forensic psychology of organized criminal leadership, the coercive control mechanisms that keep narco organizations intact under pressure, and the psychological toll that sustained exposure to that level of violence and deception exacts on the investigators who dedicate their careers to fighting it. Drawing on lived operational experience rather than academic theory, this conversation offers a rare and unflinching window into the human psychology driving one of the most powerful and destructive criminal enterprises in modern history.

Few people in law enforcement have seen the Colombian cartel world up close the way a career DEA agent has, operating in the same dangerous terrain as the Medellin and Cali organizations, tracking their money, mapping their networks, flipping their members, and watching from the front lines as those empires rose, fractured, and gave way to the next generation of narco power that would fill the vacuum they left behind. This episode features a retired DEA agent whose career put him in direct contact with the operational reality of Colombian drug trafficking at its peak, covering everything from the financial architecture of cartel money laundering to the human intelligence tradecraft required to build cases against organizations that killed anyone who got too close. This is a ground-level account of the war on drugs told not through policy papers or journalism but through the eyes of someone who lived it, and what he has to say about the cartels, the mission, and the cost of that career will stay with you long after the episode ends.

At the height of the Colombian cartel era, the DEA was running some of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of American law enforcement, going up against organizations with billions of dollars, private armies, and a willingness to assassinate judges, politicians, and anyone else who stood between them and their empire while agents worked with informants, foreign partners, and razor-thin legal windows to build cases that could actually stick. This episode features a retired DEA agent who spent his career in the middle of that fight, pulling back the curtain on how investigations into the Colombian cartels actually worked, what it took to infiltrate those organizations, and what the human cost of that mission looked like for the agents, the informants, and the communities caught between cartel power and the law. From the Medellin and Cali cartels to the networks that came after them, this is one of the most authoritative and personal accounts of the drug war you will ever hear told by someone who was there.

Former California game warden John Nores reveals the hidden war being fought deep inside America's forests — where cartel-run marijuana farms have taken over remote public lands, poisoned wildlife, stolen water, and turned California's mountains into dangerous territory. In this episode, John breaks down how Mexican cartel growers set up massive hidden weed farms, how they camouflage camps and irrigation systems, why game wardens became involved in marijuana raids, and what happened when his team came face-to-face with armed growers in the woods. We also discuss the environmental destruction caused by illegal grows, toxic pesticides, cartel tactics, California legalization, the black market, and why this problem is still far from over. John Nores is a former California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden and author of Hidden War, where he documents his years tracking cartel activity in America's wildlands. Topics include: Cartel weed farms, California forests, game wardens, illegal marijuana grows, Sinaloa cartel, toxic pesticides, water theft, wildlife destruction, armed growers, and the hidden war on public lands. Go Support John! Book: https://www.johnnores.com/hidden-war.html Website: https://www.johnnores.com/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect Prescription required. See website for details and important safety information. Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra®. Viagra® is a registered trademark of Viatris Specialty LLC. Hims is not affiliated with or endorsed by Viatris. Lucy! Save 20% on your first online Lucy order at https://lucy.co/connect with promo code CONNECT! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: California's Weed War 01:00 Meet John Norris: Game Warden Turned Cartel Hunter 04:00 Why Game Wardens Battle Cartels 09:00 Inside Cartel Grow Tactics 17:00 Water Theft & Ranch Infiltration 24:00 Deadly Encounters: Gunfights in the Hills 26:00 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 27:58 Cartel Structure & Operations Unveiled 41:00 Cat-and-Mouse: Grow Raids vs Apprehensions 46:16 This Episode Is Sponsored By Lucy 47:52 Cartel Incentives: Who's Growing & Why 55:00 Hidden Health Dangers: Pesticides & Poisons 01:03:00 Environmental Fallout: Wildlife & Water 01:08:00 Legalization Backfires: Black Market Thrives 01:16:00 Chinese Cartels & the Evolving Threat 01:25:00 Why the Legal Market Can't Compete 01:36:00 From Gunfights to Game Wardens: War Stories 01:43:00 Cartels, China, and the Fentanyl Pipeline 01:53:00 Northern Border, Drugs, and the Hidden War 02:03:00 Solutions: Law, Education, & Real Change 02:10:00 Impact of Legalization Laws in Other States 02:12:00 Organic Growers vs Cartels: The Forgotten Warriors 02:16:00 Wrap Up: The Fight for America's Wildlands & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the years, America has seen the slow transformation of entire industries that seem to be captured by specific foreign diasporas. From truck driving to IT, hotels, and gas stations, ethnic cartels have used advantages enshrined in law to corner the market for many businesses. The drop in quality of these establishments has had an overall deleterious effect on the quality of life in the U.S. Writer and entrepreneur C. Jay Engel joins me to discuss his solution.  Follow on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-auron-macintyre-show/id1657770114 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6z4LBs8Fi7COupy7YYuM?si=4d9662cb34d148af Substack: https://auronmacintyre.substack.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuronMacintyre Gab: https://gab.com/AuronMacIntyre YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/AuronMacIntyre Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-390155 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@AuronMacIntyre:f Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auronmacintyre/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Knicks just won the NBA Finals — and José Alvarado led the Puerto Rican Day Parade the next morning. But while New York was celebrating, something else was quietly happening in the Caribbean: a US carrier strike group just parked itself 90 miles from Havana. Henry and Danny — with help from AI guest Tio Raul — break down the full arc of America's 125-year obsession with Cuba. From the first concentration camps in history, to the mob-run casino island Batista built for American business, to Fidel's guerrilla campaign on a 10-person yacht with 81 men aboard, to the Cuban tank crews that went and fought Israel on a mountain in Syria — this island punches so far above its weight it's almost unbelievable. They also get into why Cuba deployed nearly half a million troops to Angola over 16 years, how that campaign helped end apartheid in South Africa (and what Nelson Mandela himself said about it), and how Aroldis Chapman — the hardest thrower in baseball history — had to buy his freedom from a cartel for $30 million just to pitch in the majors. And then there's Marco Rubio, whose family left Cuba under Batista — not Castro — now sitting as Secretary of State with a carrier fleet and a personal vendetta shaping US foreign policy in real time. Someone just dropped $57,000 on a prediction market betting it all goes hot before the end of 2026. Tio Raul is powered by Maneku — the AI built for real conversations. Learn more at maneku.ai TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Knicks Win & the Puerto Rican Connection 02:30 – More Puerto Ricans in Florida Than New York? 05:00 – Bad Bunny, Nuyoricans & José Alvarado 08:15 – Cuba: Spain's Prize Colony & the First Concentration Camps 14:30 – The USS Maine, Yellow Press & the Spanish-American War 19:45 – The Platt Amendment: Independence with an Asterisk 24:00 – Batista, the American Mob & Meyer Lansky's Havana 29:00 – Castro, the Granma & the 26th of July Movement 33:30 – Bay of Pigs: The CIA's Most Embarrassing Failure 38:00 – The Cuban Missile Crisis & Proletarian Internationalism 44:00 – Cuba vs. the IDF: Tank Crews in the Golan Heights 48:00 – Operation Carlota: Cuba Ends Apartheid in Angola 57:00 – Chapman, Cartels & Cuban Athletes Buying Their Freedom 01:04:00 – The Soviet Collapse & Cuba's "Special Period" 01:07:00 – Mariel Boatlift, Scarface & the Cuban American Political Machine 01:14:00 – Obama Normalizes, Trump Reverses, Rinse, Repeat 01:22:00 – Marco Rubio's Messy Timeline & the Carrier in the Caribbean 01:35:00 – Should the US Invade Cuba? Prediction Markets Say… 01:42:00 – Final Thoughts #CubaHistory #USForeignPolicy #MarcoRubio #ColdWarHistory #BayOfPigs #BroHistory #Podcast #FidelCastro #Knicks #PuertoRico #JoseAlvarado #AroldisChapman #Angola #Apartheid #LatinAmerica #Geopolitics #TioRaul #Maneku Links to our other stuff on the interwebs: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BroHistory⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://brohistory.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #348 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two organizations that spent years trying to destroy each other have now merged their firepower, their territories, and their ambitions into a single criminal axis that could reshape the entire security landscape of Mexico and the American border. Mexico's government has officially confirmed what intelligence agencies had been quietly tracking for months: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel are working together. This episode breaks down how that happened, what it means, and why the window to stop it may already be closing.

On today's episode, Vince welcomes back Katarina Szulc, investigative journalist and host of the Ironclad Original, Borderland: Dispatches. Kat shares insights from her recent reporting in Ukraine, where authorities are investigating claims that foreign fighters with cartel ties traveled to the front lines to learn modern combat tactics before returning to Latin America. The conversation also explores foreign mercenaries in Ukraine, the evolution of cartel warfare, U.S. pressure on cartel leadership, corruption in Mexico, and what these developments could mean for the future of organized crime. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:44) Cartels, Ukraine, and FPV Drone Warfare (03:26) The Colombian Connection & Drone Schools in Lviv (09:52) American Mercenaries & Background Checks on the Front Lines (11:33) Gamers vs. Combat: How Simple is FPV Drone Flying? (15:24) Behind the Scenes of the Global Mercenary Recruitment Machine (25:06) US Boots on the Ground & The Standoff over Drone Strikes in Mexico (29:51) Cartel Corruption & Political Gaslighting in Sinaloa (34:22) The 2026 World Cup: A Cartel Moneymaker? (47:17) 2026 Wrap-Up: The Year of the Fallen Kingpins & The Endless Drug War Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=ironclad&utm_campaign=ironclad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode delivers a deep-dive behavioral analysis of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and their calculated psychological warfare executed on the eve of the World Cup. By analyzing the brutal ambush of five police officers in Michoacán, we decode the tactical terrorism and high-stakes manipulation used by cartels to exploit global media spotlight. Discover the chilling forensic profiling behind "El Mencho's" successors and how criminal syndicates weaponize national events for psychological dominance.

The National Security Hour with Major Fred Galvin – I examine fentanyl as a national security threat linking Chinese precursor chemicals, Mexican cartels, counterfeit pills, money laundering, and border failures. The discussion connects Opium Wars history, gray-zone warfare, public health devastation, veterans, families, and enforcement efforts while asking what victory against America's opioid crisis truly requires at home...

Joyce Talks about: People making money off of the Trump Administration with "tell-all" books.Inflation numbers.Primary elections: Graham Plattner wins in Maine/ Nancy Mace finishing last in South Carolina Primary. War with Iran and military strikes. $70 million bill to fund deportation efforts through Trump's final term.War on cartels. Drone boat rescue in Iran. Lack of support for America's 250th anniversary.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Football fans are celebrating the tournament coming to Guadalajara. But with a brutal crime syndicate holding sway there, what are the risks for fans – and the government?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Jonathan Alpeyrie is a war photographer and journalist who has spent time documenting the darkest corners of the global drug trade — from cartel territory in Mexico and the favelas of Brazil to the streets of Kensington, Skid Row, Baltimore, and the mega-prisons of El Salvador. Jonathan breaks down what he's seen firsthand while embedding with drug gangs, addicts, undercover police units, and special forces around the world. He explains how European drug gangs are becoming more powerful, why France, Belgium, and Holland are turning into major narco hubs, and how Mexican cartels are exporting their violence and tactics into Europe. Jonathan also discusses the rise of fentanyl in America, the origins of the synthetic opioid pipeline, the brutal reality of addiction on the streets, and what he witnessed inside El Salvador's crackdown on MS-13. From undercover drug buys in Europe to firefights in Rio's favelas, this is a raw look at the worldwide drug crisis from someone who has seen it up close. Go Support Jonathan! Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Drug-Wars/Jonathan-Alpeyrie/9780972115247 Website: https://jonathanalpeyrie.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonalpeyrie/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 European Drug Gangs & Cartel Tactics 02:00 War Reporter's Background 03:55 Challenges of Access and Documentary Work 08:00 Undercover Ops with Cops & European Narcos 12:40 Weak Punishments & Overloaded European Prisons 15:50 Belgium, Holland & France: Europe's Crime Hotbeds 21:00 Ethnic Gangs and Emerging Alliances 27:00 Why Europe Is the “Crown Jewel” of the Drug Trade 35:00 Big Busts, Corruption & Mexican Cartel Influence 41:00 Fentanyl and Drug Crisis in the US 49:30 Drug Trends: Fentanyl, Meth, and Ketamine Scenes 54:00 MDMA, Ecstasy, and Party Drug Production 59:50 Inside Brazilian Favelas and Combat Zones 01:03:00 Violence, Danger & Drug Wars in Latin America 01:10:00 War Reporting: Syria, Iraq, and Hostage Experiences 01:20:00 Geopolitics, Proxy Wars & Global Destabilization 01:27:30 America's Shifting Role & Future of Cartels 01:34:00 Personal Trauma, Resilience & Drug War Morality 01:41:00 Solutions, Nationalism, and The Limits of Idealism 01:45:00 Jonathan's Mission & Final Thoughts 01:49:00 Book Plug & Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco breaks down how cartel fentanyl and human trafficking flood through California's freeways, why his county is treated like a border, and the shocking case of a young deputy caught running 520,000 pills for the cartel.

he cartels control up to 45% of Mexico, infiltrate every level of government, and operate in more than 100 countries worldwide. My guest, former Mexican diplomat and veteran narcotics investigator Victor Galarza, explains why the reality is far worse than most Americans realize. If you’re tired of broken healthcare you need to choose the right pharmacy. Check them out at allfamilypharmacy.com/dinesh and use code DINESH10 to save 10% off your next order. Leave the old “buy and hold” crypto strategy behind at https://DineshCrypto.com ! Purchase crypto with military grade encryption and American customer service. Hundreds of crypto holders have saved MILLIONS thanks to BlockTrustIRA’s Animus AI. Visit https://DineshCrypto.com and receive up to $2,500 in FREE bonus crypto! America has nearly 39 trillion dollars in debt! Are you protected from this pending disaster? Go to http://DineshGold.com and get up to 10% in bonus gold or silver. I’m on substack! Check out what I have to say here: https://dineshdsouza.substack.com/ For free and unbiased Medicare help, dial (706) 262-4774 to speak with my trusted partner, Chapter, or go to https://askchapter.org/dinesh" Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don’t directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Dinesh D'Souza is an author and filmmaker. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he was a senior domestic policy analyst in the Reagan administration. He also served as a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is the author of many bestselling books, including "Illiberal Education," "What's So Great About Christianity," "America: Imagine a World Without Her," "The Roots of Obama's Rage," "Death of a Nation," and "United States of Socialism." His documentary films "2016: Obama's America," "America," "Hillary's America," "Death of a Nation," and "Trump Card" are among the highest-grossing political documentaries of all time. He and his wife Debbie are also executive producers of the acclaimed feature film "Infidel." — Want to connect with Dinesh D'Souza online for more hard-hitting analysis of current events in America? Here’s how: Get Dinesh unfiltered, uncensored and unchained on Locals: https://dinesh.locals.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dsouzadinesh Twitter: https://twitter.com/dineshdsouza Rumble: https://rumble.com/dineshdsouza Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dineshjdsouzaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most ambitious men are accidentally building a "Job-Trap," a life that looks successful on paper but is structurally broken. Today, we perform a clinical audit on legacy with the man who built an indestructible brand: Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather. Dave transitioned from a barefoot youth pastor in Mexico to the CEO of a global empire with a 100-year warranty. In this diagnostic deep-dive, we identify the "Atomic Tasks" stealing your time and the systemic failures that keep most men from true "Internal Sovereignty." From living in safari tents for a decade to surviving a million-dollar theft involving the FBI, Dave reveals the specific roadmap for building a life with no breakable parts.   CHAPTERS:  00:00 - The "No-Breakable-Parts" Life  03:00 - Why I moved my family into safari tents for 10 years  10:05 - Youth Ministry to CEO: When the business became the ministry  15:21 - The sketch that built a 100-year legacy  18:52 - Marriage Systems: Why we switched to a smaller bed  25:31 - The FBI, stolen millions, and the "Job-Trap"  27:42 - The only 2 questions you need to ask your team [High-Leverage]  41:53 - "Success starts at home": Zig Ziglar's final lesson  47:53 - The legacy audit: What will they fight over when you're dead?   Munson's Links: Website: https://saddlebackleather.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidcmunson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidcmunson  

SPONSORS: 1) HENSON SHAVING: Just head to https://hensonshaving.com/julian to get a free 100-pack of blades with your razor purchase 2) MCG TACTICAL: Grab your Stinger now before this deal disappears and visit https://mcgtac.com/Dorey JOIN PATREON FOR EARLY UNCENSORED EPISODE RELEASES: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey CLIPPERS DISCORD: https://discord.gg/8QmWEKJ3BT (***TIMESTAMPS in description below) ~ Stefano Ritondale is a military intelligence analyst, defense technology executive, and prominent subject-matter expert on Mexican drug cartels and regional security trends in Latin America. He is widely recognized for tracking the evolving tactics, militarization, and territorial control of transnational criminal organizations. FOLLOW STEFANO: YT: https://youtube.com/@allsourcenews?si=tQyCJ_fdEWlBuQLj X: https://x.com/all_source_news?s=21&t=sfqubsp5OipDY-MIDoR7VA IG: https://www.instagram.com/all_source_news?utm_source=qr WEBSITE: https://sitrep.artorias.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@all_source_news?_r=1&_t=ZT-96grCTgEUQv FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY YT: https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://x.com/juliandorey ****TIMESTAMPS**** 00:00 - Stefano's Cartel Intel Journey & Military Background 09:35 - Intel Operations, Iran Threats & OSINT Growth 21:05 - Military War Games, ODIN & Intelligence Misconceptions 29:09 - Soleimani Strike, Iran Response & War Simulations 40:37 - October 7th, Iran Weakness & Israel Debate 51:14 - Iran's Limited Response & Strait of Hormuz Risks 1:03:32 - Maduro, Iran & CIA Assassination Allegations 1:11:20 - Cartel Power Structures, El Chapo's Heirs & Loyalty 1:23:54 - El Mencho Ops, Cartel X Accounts & Community Intel 1:35:04 - OSINT Theft, Cartel Territory Maps & Escapes 1:46:04 - Kingpin Strategy, Fentanyl Labs & Global Cocaine Trade 1:55:12 - Border Cartels, Chinese Weed Markets & El Mayo Capture 2:04:55 - El Mayo Setup & Untouchable Cartel Figures 2:10:20 - CIA, Cartels & the Future After Iran/Maduro 2:20:18 - CIA-Vetted Units, FBI Credit & Pacific Drug Routes 2:32:59 - Cartel Business Models, Oil Smuggling & Cienfuegos 2:48:48 - Fixing the Cartel Crisis & El Mencho Death Theory 2:58:43 - CJNG Leadership Shift & Cartel Stabilization 3:09:30 - Terrorist Organization Debate & Possible US Cartel War 3:12:38 - Stefano's Work CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef - https://www.instagram.com/joeydeef/ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 427 - Stefano Ritondale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Karen Schaefer retired from the CIA in 2019, after 26 years of service. She started out in Latin America and ended with a stint at the FBI. In between, she earned numerous intelligence awards and held key positions that spanned operational, supervisory, and policy roles. Her many job titles included Chief of Base in Iraq and Director of Intelligence Programs in the White House's National Security Council. But what was it all really like? Sasha sat down to talk about how Karen's career began, how she navigated being one of the few women in the room, and how she brought different intelligence agencies together. Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/ For more information about the International Spy Museum, visit: https://www.spymuseum.org/ And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic, you can reach us by email at spycast@spymuseum.org. This show is brought to you by N2K Networks, Goat Rodeo, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. This episode was produced by Flora Warshaw and the team at Goat Rodeo. At the International Spy Museum, Mike Mincey and Memphis Vaughan III are our video editors. Emily Rens is our graphic designer. Joshua Troemel runs our SPY social media. Amanda Ohlke is our Director of Adult Education and Mira Cohen is the Vice President of Programs.

Rosi Orozco is one of the world's leading voices against human trafficking. She has been working in human rights advocacy for over three decades, and as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico, she was the driving legislative force behind Mexico's famous anti-trafficking law.“There are 50 million people in the world in slavery,” Orozco tells me. And that, she believes, is a low estimate.She was recently involved in helping three rescued girls, who are now at secure shelter in Mexico. “These three girls were minors, and a cartel was training them to kill, to sell drugs, and to [engage in] prostitution.”What happened to those three minors—only 14, 15, and 17 years old—is fairly typical, she says. They saw an ad on TikTok that promised them “work in the tourism industry, and [promised] very good payment.” When they arrived at the Mexican tourist resort, they were captured.Over the years, Orozco has helped more than 400 rescued people, mostly minors, slowly begin to rebuild their lives. But, she says, “400 is nothing compared with the people that haven't been rescued.” The rescue is just the beginning of a long journey: “It's difficult work because these girls were completely broken ... to see a smile on their face was really a big victory.”Many people who rescue trafficked children or work in the security shelters where they are protected often risk their own lives. The theme of Orozco's 5th International Summit Against Human Trafficking this year is “Heroes Wanted.”Orozco also serves as president of the Houston-based “United Against Human Trafficking” nonprofit and created the Trafficking in Persons hotline in Mexico in 2013, giving citizens a direct channel to report trafficking.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Watch every episode ad-free & uncensored on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones John Nores is a game warden who discovered and combatted Mexican cartels operating in the forests of California & Montana. He explains how China's partnership with the Sinaloa cartel is America's biggest threat. His latest book is "Hidden War: How Special Operations Game Wardens Are Reclaiming America's Wildlands From The Drug Cartels". SPONSORS https://liquid-iv.com - Use code DANNY for 20% off your first order. https://amentara.com/go/djp - Use code DJ11 for an EXTRA 11% off. https://shopify.com/dannyjones - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today. https://takeultra.com - Use code DANNY for 15% off. https://whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP - Use code DJP for 20% off EPISODE LINKS https://www.johnnores.com Hidden War Book: https://amzn.to/3PLItP2 FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/dannyjones https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - The Game Warden protecting the Emerald Triangle 07:38 - Game Warden training 12:00 - Hunting for consumption in California 17:56 - Human deaths from California Mountain Lions 21:06 - Why hunting is GOOD for wildlife 27:38 - Unique elk species in California & Montana 29:25 - Hunting coyotes to protect other species 35:08 - Why cattle ranching is dying 39:14 - Shoot-outs with drug cartels in the California woods 42:50 - How 9/11 changed game warden training 47:09 - Cartels diverting water sources for illegal drug farms 53:52 - Encountering Sinaloa Cartel growers 01:01:45 - The anti-grow operation task force 01:08:07 - The first Sinaloa Cartel grow farm shoot-out 01:19:27 - Cartel booby traps around grow farms 01:22:21 - "El diablo": cartel's favorite pesticide 01:29:30 - When cartels started growing drugs in the U.S. 01:30:58 - Sinaloa boss' confessions about growth farms 01:38:54 - China & Mexico's joint fentanyl operation 01:46:39 - China's involvement in weed & fentanyl trade 01:54:12 - How China penetrates our Northern border 01:59:37 - Illegal cartel grow farms are worse than ever 02:04:53 - How to fix the cartel drug farm problem 02:08:22 - Why legalizing marijuana is a net positive 02:12:04 - The Madeira beach grouper fishing industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9/16: Evan Ellis discusses the unprecedented US indictment of sitting Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya for ties to the Sinaloa cartel. The indictment reveals deep corruption within the Mexican political system. Ellis explains how cartels utilize global networks and legitimate legal firms to launder billions.1900

What really happens inside the world's most dangerous underground economies? And why do the people running them trust a journalist enough to talk? Mariana van Zeller — Emmy- and Peabody Award–winning investigative journalist, host and executive producer of Trafficked on National Geographic, and host of The Hidden Third podcast — has spent years embedded with scammers, smugglers, cartel members, assassins, and black-market power brokers. In this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, she pulls back the curtain on the shadow systems that quietly shape the global economy. Mariana breaks down the difference between the black market vs. the grey market, why understanding these hidden economies is the only way to create real change, and how she manages to gain access to some of the most secretive and dangerous players in the world. She explains how empathy, not judgment, is often the key to getting people labeled “the worst of the worst” to open up, and why many of them speak with her because of something surprisingly simple: a deep human need to be heard and understood. She also addresses critics who say she shouldn't give criminals a platform, revealing why listening to these voices is essential to exposing the systems behind global crime. We dive into her most harrowing experiences in the field — including the terrifying moment she and her team weren't sure they would make it out alive, and the time they had to escape a country in the middle of a life-threatening military coup while filming. Mariana also unpacks the current climate in Mexico's drug war, explaining why violence often escalates when major cartel kingpins are taken down, and the troubling implications of the fact that many of the weapons used by cartels originate in the United States. We get into one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world: scams. She breaks down everything you've ever wanted to know about romance scams and “pig butchering” operations, including: - Psychological tactics scammers use - Who scammers typically target and why - Massive infrastructure behind modern scam compounds - Why many scammers are actually victims of forced labor themselves - Why victims often stay silent due to shame and stigma Mariana explains why advancing technology, crypto, and AI are making financial scams easier than ever, and why anyone can fall victim — no matter how smart or cautious they are, including the shocking case of a bank CEO who was successfully defrauded. We also explore medical black markets, from organ trafficking to international surrogacy scams, and discuss some of her most intense interviews, from conversations with a suspected Russian sex spy to Anna Delvey, the infamous socialite scammer. Despite spending her career face-to-face with some of the darkest corners of humanity, Mariana reveals something surprising: she still believes deeply in people. In fact, she sometimes finds more hope, honesty, and equality in underground markets than in global governments or legal capitalism. This conversation will change how you think about crime, power, empathy, and the hidden systems shaping our world! Head to https://www.Superpower.com and use code BREAK at checkout for $20 off your membership. After you sign up, they'll ask how you heard about them, so make sure to mention this podcast to support the show. Mariana van Zeller's podcast, THE HIDDEN THIRD: https://www.youtube.com/@marianavanzeller Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What really happens inside the world's most dangerous underground economies? And why do the people running them trust a journalist enough to talk? Mariana van Zeller — Emmy- and Peabody Award–winning investigative journalist, host and executive producer of Trafficked on National Geographic, and host of The Hidden Third podcast — has spent years embedded with scammers, smugglers, cartel members, assassins, and black-market power brokers. In this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, she pulls back the curtain on the shadow systems that quietly shape the global economy. Mariana breaks down the difference between the black market vs. the grey market, why understanding these hidden economies is the only way to create real change, and how she manages to gain access to some of the most secretive and dangerous players in the world. She explains how empathy, not judgment, is often the key to getting people labeled “the worst of the worst” to open up, and why many of them speak with her because of something surprisingly simple: a deep human need to be heard and understood. She also addresses critics who say she shouldn't give criminals a platform, revealing why listening to these voices is essential to exposing the systems behind global crime. We dive into her most harrowing experiences in the field — including the terrifying moment she and her team weren't sure they would make it out alive, and the time they had to escape a country in the middle of a life-threatening military coup while filming. Mariana also unpacks the current climate in Mexico's drug war, explaining why violence often escalates when major cartel kingpins are taken down, and the troubling implications of the fact that many of the weapons used by cartels originate in the United States. We get into one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world: scams. She breaks down everything you've ever wanted to know about romance scams and “pig butchering” operations, including: - Psychological tactics scammers use - Who scammers typically target and why - Massive infrastructure behind modern scam compounds - Why many scammers are actually victims of forced labor themselves - Why victims often stay silent due to shame and stigma Mariana explains why advancing technology, crypto, and AI are making financial scams easier than ever, and why anyone can fall victim — no matter how smart or cautious they are, including the shocking case of a bank CEO who was successfully defrauded. We also explore medical black markets, from organ trafficking to international surrogacy scams, and discuss some of her most intense interviews, from conversations with a suspected Russian sex spy to Anna Delvey, the infamous socialite scammer. Despite spending her career face-to-face with some of the darkest corners of humanity, Mariana reveals something surprising: she still believes deeply in people. In fact, she sometimes finds more hope, honesty, and equality in underground markets than in global governments or legal capitalism. This conversation will change how you think about crime, power, empathy, and the hidden systems shaping our world! Head to https://www.Superpower.com and use code BREAK at checkout for $20 off your membership. After you sign up, they'll ask how you heard about them, so make sure to mention this podcast to support the show. Mariana van Zeller's podcast, THE HIDDEN THIRD: https://www.youtube.com/@marianavanzeller Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.