Podcasts about War on drugs

Welcome back to Aquarium Drunkard Transmissions with Jason P. Woodbury. This week on the show, we welcome Nashville-based music journalist, critic and author Erin Osmon, to discuss her tremendous book, Won't Back Down: Heartland Rock and the Fight for America, which chronicles how heartland rock, typified by artists like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Bob Seger, and more, brought a populist, Americana-inspired sound to the airwaves of the radio and MTV. Along the way, Osmon shines a light on lesser heralded artists in the heartland canon, including Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, and Tracy Chapman, explores the impact of the shift from vinyl and tape to compact discs, the ubiquity of synthesizer technology, and the progressive undercurrent that propels this music.  Osmon's writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times, and she's the author of a 33 ⅓ book on John Prine and Jason Molina: Riding with the Ghost. With Won't Back Down, she traces the origins of heartland rock and its influence on artists like The War on Drugs and The Hold Steady, and best of all, offers deep insight into the complex characters of its most notable figures. Especially intriguing is the Indiana-born Osmon's focus on fellow Hoosier John “Cougar” Mellencamp, who emerges as one of the most fascinating characters, a hothead with a leftist heart and punk rock verve.  This year marks the 250th birthday of America, and this conversation was taped this conversation just a few days before the 4th of July. We haven't been feeling all that patriotic—maybe it has something to do with the fascists governing our country and their endless commitment to foreign wars and environmental destruction—but Osmon's book reminds us that this country has at its core something more noble, some promise that has not been stamped out just yet. As the Boss once sang: “Everything dies, baby, that's a fact/But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jay has a habit of over-texting famous people. He went into his text history and found a thread with Adam Granduciel from "The War On Drugs." Ten years ago, Jay thought he was starting a friendship with the singer, but the messaging soon turned one-sided. Before Jay reads the transcripts to Bob he tries to distract him with different subjects like family relationships, tap dancing, and jorts fashion. Bob cringes as Jay reveals his overstepping yet again with sad results. *To hear the full show to go www.siriusxm.com/bonfire to learn more! FOLLOW THE CREW ON SOCIAL MEDIA: @thebonfiresxm @louisjohnson @christinemevans @bigjayoakerson @robertkellylive @louwitzkee @jjbwolf Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of The Bonfire ad-free and a whole week early.  Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In their latest interview with Chris Steyn, Willem Els of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Richard Chelin, an independent governance expert, share details of the war on drugs and crime in South Africa. Describing the struggle of dedicated detectives, Els reveals “for the past three months at one of the units they use a private vehicle and they rotate…and they are filling it up…just to do the job. You know, that's dedication - and that's the thin blue line that we are talking about; and those are the guys that actually make a difference in South Africa and stand between us and anarchy if you look at what's going on in the police.” On top of their lack of resources across the board, they are battling huge management challenges: “...they're running out of commissioners or generals to appoint as acting because of the arrests and so on….it is very demoralising if the one that you're looking up, if the one that is supposed to give you guidance, is actually exposed as a possible criminal. And who is guiding them then? You know, so those guys have got a real challenge. Their role models are being arrested. What now?”

Former undercover drugs operative Neil Woods joins Alice and Matt to reveal what it's really like to wage the war on drugs. After 14 years spent infiltrating gangs, earning the trust of dealers and risking his life inside the criminal underworld, Neil came to a surprising conclusion: major drug busts change less than we think.Was Operation Julie really a success? Do crackdowns actually reduce harm?And how did a former drugs officer end up becoming an advocate for psychedelic therapy?Do you have a suggestion for a scandal you would like us to cover? Or perhaps you have a question you would like to ask our hosts? Email us at britishscandal@audible.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kojo Koram, author of "The Next Fix: The Winners and Losers in the Future of Drugs," joins us to discuss what comes next after the War On Drugs and how capital intends to colonise this new frontier… and why Brewdog is involved (again!) Before that though, we discuss Farage's latest victim stunt and discuss a VERY real company—perhaps one of the realest in history. Pre-order Kojo's book here! Get more TF episodes each week by subscribing to our Patreon here! RILEY ALERT Check out No Gods, No Mayors here! HUSSEIN ALERT Check out 10k Posts here! MILO ALERT Check out Milo's tour dates here: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows NATE ALERT Nate's band Second Homes has just released their debut album and you can stream it for free here! Trashfuture are: Riley (@raaleh), Milo (@Milo_Edwards), Hussein (@HKesvani), Nate (@inthesedeserts), and November (@postoctobrist)

The Iran Contra Affair had other, far reaching, and devastating consequences. Because of close relationship between the CIA and the Contra rebels in Nicaragua, drug smuggling and the lucrative cocaine trade in disaffected communities in the United States became increasingly prevalent. As the CIA turned a blind eye to the crimes it was directly or indirectly condoning, the United States started the War on Drugs.Sources:Mayer, Jane, and Doyle McManus. Landslide. HarperCollins, 1 Jan. 1988.PBS. “The Iran-Contra Affair .” Pbs.org, PBS, 2019, www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/reagan-iran/.Webb, Gary. Dark Alliance : The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion. Tiverton, Devon, Old Street, 2015.

Ryan Root, a former underground steroid kingpin, shares how he built a multi-million-dollar black-market empire, lost everything after one critical mistake, and ultimately rebuilt his life through a legitimate hormone therapy business.⁣ ⁣ Ryan's links - ⁣ https://goh4m.com/⁣ https://www.youtube.com/@GO_H4M/featured⁣ https://www.instagram.com/go_h4m/⁣ ⁣ Do you want to be a guest? Fill out the form https://www.insidetruecrimepodcast.com/apply-to-be-a-guest⁣ ⁣ Get 10% sitewide for a limited time. Just visit https://GhostBed.com/cox and use code COX at checkout. ⁣ ⁣ Shop my merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MatthewCoxCollection⁣ ⁣ Send me an email here: insidetruecrime@gmail.com⁣ ⁣ Do you extra clips and behind the scenes content?⁣ Subscribe to my Patreon: https://patreon.com/InsideTrueCrime ⁣ ⁣ Check out my Dark Docs YouTube channel here -⁣ https://www.youtube.com/@DarkDocsMatthewCox⁣ ⁣ Follow me on all socials!⁣ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidetruecrime/⁣ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewcoxtruecrime⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Do you want a custom painting done by me? Check out my Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/coxpopart⁣ ⁣ Listen to my True Crime Podcasts anywhere: https://anchor.fm/mattcox ⁣ ⁣ Check out my true crime books! ⁣ Shark in the Housing Pool: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851KBYCF⁣ Bent: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV4GC7TM⁣ It's Insanity: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KFYXKK8⁣ Devil Exposed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TH1WT5G⁣ Devil Exposed (The Abridgment): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1070682438⁣ The Program: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0858W4G3K⁣ Bailout: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bailout-matthew-cox/1142275402⁣ Dude, Where's My Hand-Grenade?: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXNFHBDF/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1678623676&sr=1-1⁣ ⁣ Checkout my disturbingly twisted satiric novel!⁣ Stranger Danger: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSWQP3WX⁣ ⁣ If you would like to support me directly, I accept donations here:⁣ Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/MattCox69⁣ Cashapp: $coxcon69⁣ ⁣ Chapters: ⁣ 01:40 - Discovering Testosterone's Impact⁣ 07:20 - Scaling the Black Market Operation⁣ 16:44 - Scaling, operations, and risks ️⁣ 27:50 - Making product and supply issues⁣ 39:41 - Shipment leak, DEA raid, and legal fallout⁣ 45:09 - Abduction and Interrogation Talk⁣ 51:30 - Federal Raid, Arrest, and Legal Fallout⁣ 1:00:12 - Prison Legal System Failures⁣ 1:08:31 - Business After Prison & HRT Clinic Success⁣ 1:15:15 - Testosterone benefits & medical stigma⁣ 1:17:45 - Neurotransmitters, mood, and hormone therapy ️⁣ 1:22:47 - Pharma, FDA, medical education, and industry influence ️⁣ 1:30:16 - Marketing & Simple Dosing⁣ 1:31:08 - Testosterone Protocols & Side Effects⁣ 1:45:19 - Pharmaceutical Influence & Patents⁣ 1:47:22 - Faulty Testosterone Studies & FDA Response ️⁣ 1:58:19 - Steroid Scare, Legislation & the War on Drugs ️⁣ 2:00:22 - Steroid Stigma and Comparative Deaths⁣ 2:02:24 - Steroids: Risks, Therapeutic vs Abusive, and Bodybuilding Data ️‍️⁣ 2:07:58 - Sugar Industry Fraud, Addiction, and Public Health Impact⁣ 2:15:27 - Prison for Selling Testosterone⁣ 2:16:00 - Government Failure on Endocrine Disruptors & Sugar ️⁣ 2:21:16 - Education, Treatment, and TRT Promotion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And Another Thing With Dave, by Dave SmithIn this explosive episode, we dive deep into the dark underbelly of international drug trafficking and its alleged connections to the CIA. From heroin pipelines in Vietnam and Afghanistan to cocaine routes in Latin America and even the shadowy history of LSD, we uncover the controversial theories that have fueled decades of debate.Key topics:CIA involvement in the Golden Triangle heroin trade during the Vietnam WarAfghanistan's opium boom and intelligence agency tiesThe cocaine epidemic and alleged CIA complicity in the 80s and 90sThe bizarre origins of LSD and government experimentation programsBuckle up — this one's a wild ride through conspiracy, geopolitics, and the war on drugs.Thank you for tuning in!If you are digging what I am doing, and picking up what I'm putting down, please follow, subscribe, and share the podcast on social media and with friends. Reviews are greatly appreciated. You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Links below Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/and-another-thing-with-dave/id1498443271Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/1HLX3dqSQgeWZNXVZ1Z4EC?Thanks again!!!Follow me and find More of My Content with link belowhttps://linktr.ee/andanotherthingwithdaveThank you to my listeners throughout the world. Now heard in 65 countries. According to Spotify my podcast is in the top 20% of podcasts shared internationally.Listener locations:71% USA8% Canada6% United Kingdom 3% India3% Australia 1% Ireland1% Germany#DrugSmuggling#CIAConspiracy#WarOnDrugs#ConspiracyTheory#HiddenHistory#CIAHeroin#CIAandDrugs#VietnamHeroin#AfghanistanOpium#CocaineCIA#LSDConspiracy#GoldenTriangle#MKUltra#DeepRabbitHole#TrueCrimePodcast#GovernmentSecrets#DeepState#ConspiracyPodcast#DrugWarConspiracy#CIAInvolvement#OpiumTrade#IntelligenceAgencies#DarkHistory

Retired DEA special agent Leo Silva discusses his book Narco Tales and his career fighting drug trafficking and organized crime. Silva provides a historical perspective on how Mexican cartels transitioned from business-oriented organizations with strict codes to the modern, ultra-violent groups that rely on extortion and kidnapping. The conversation covers the evolution of the narcotics trade, specifically the shift from marijuana and cocaine to the current fentanyl crisis and synthetic drugs. Silva highlights the challenges of undercover work in the age of social media and reflects on the varying levels of government cooperation between the United States and Mexico across different administrations. The dialogue concludes with a somber look at the deteriorating security situation in Mexico and the potential for increased U.S. intervention to combat the instability. Through his books, Silva aims to humanize the individuals on both sides of the law while documenting the violent realities of the narco world. Escape the Technocracy Live Workshop (w/ Geopolitics & Empire)! https://escapethetechnocracy.com/product-escape-the-technocracy-live-workshop-season-2 Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Listen Ad-Free for $4.99 a Month or $49.99 a Year! Apple Subscriptions https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geopolitics-empire/id1003465597 Supercast https://geopoliticsandempire.supercast.com ***Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics American Gold Exchange https://www.amergold.com/geopolitics Escape The Technocracy (15% off w/ GEOPOLITICS!) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics Expat Money (FREE “WW3 Plan-B” Report!) https://expatmoney.com/geopolitics PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis https://societates-civis.com StartMail https://www.startmail.com/partner/?ref=ngu4nzr Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites Leo Silva https://leosilvaauthor.com X https://x.com/LXSilva1 About Leo Silva Before there were headlines, there was Leo Silva — working the shadows of Monterrey, running operations against the most dangerous cartel organizations in the Western Hemisphere. As Resident Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Monterrey Office, Silva spent decades at the sharp edge of America’s war on transnational crime, building cases against high-value targets that most people only read about in the news. Now he’s telling the full story. Silva is the author of Reign of Terror and its Spanish-language edition El Reinado de Terror — a memoir that pulls no punches about what frontline law enforcement really looks like: the operations, the sacrifices, the bureaucracy, and the human cost on every side of the fight. His writing draws on something no researcher or journalist can replicate — a career spent inside the story, where the stakes were measured in lives, not column inches. *Podcast intro music used with permission is from the song “The Queens Jig” by the fantastic “Musicke & Mirth” from their album “Music for Two Lyra Viols”: http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)

Ten years after the Brexit referendum, Britain is still living with its political and cultural consequences. In this episode, Luke Cooper is joined by Kojo Koram and Alena Ivanova to ask what Brexit was really about—and why its legacy continues to shape British politics.Was Brexit simply a revolt against Brussels, or did it reflect a deeper desire to restore Britain's imperial place in the world? The conversation explores Brexit as a colonial project, the normalisation of anti-migrant politics, the relationship between tech billionaires and the far right, and why the promise to "take back control" ultimately failed to deliver.In the second half, Kojo discusses his new book The Next Fix, examining how the war on drugs has evolved from prohibition to profit, and what today's drug policies reveal about power, capitalism, policing and empire.In This Episode  10 years after Brexit: what actually changed? Why "take back control" proved so difficult to deliver The rise of Reform UK and the mainstreaming of anti-migrant politics Tech oligarchs, democracy and the new far right Is Brexit best understood as a colonial project? Drug policy, policing and the future of criminal justice GuestsKojo Koram is an award-winning writer and an academic, teaching at the School of Law at Birkbeck College, University of London. His new book, The Next Fix : The Winners and Losers in the Future of Drugs asks whether the War on Drugs is really over – or merely changing its chemical formula. Buy your copy here. Alena Ivanova is a workers' rights campaigner and a member of the National Committee for Another Europe is Possible.Mentioned The Next Fix : The Winners and Losers in the Future of Drugs by Kojo Karam Uncommon Wealth : Britain and the Aftermath of Empire by Kojo Karam The Observer: Britain has an opportunity to lead the fight against dirty money. Now all it needs is the will Tom Nairn: Scottish political theorist If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to COUNTER•POWER for more discussions on global solidarity, democracy, international politics and the movements shaping our world.If you'd like to support the podcast and help us produce more episodes, please consider becoming a supporter.DONATE HEREFollow Us Instagram@anothereuropeispossible@globaljusticenow @ukstoptrumpTikTok@global.justice.now@uk.stop.trump.coaTwitter / X @Another_Europe@GlobalJusticeUK@UKStopTrumpMusic(cc): Intro R&B instrumental loop, Mcgrogo (Freesound.org)"Brexit" by --Sam-- is licensed under CC BY 2.0."Banksy does Brexit (detail)" by dullhunk is licensed under CC BY 2.0."Nigel Farage" by Michael Vadon is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Award-winning journalist Bill Conroy is back dishing the inside dirt on how America's war on drugs has really turned into a complex business of law enforcement and political policy conflicts. Bill describes how the federal agencies charged with protecting the U.S. from the drug trade compete with each other and the differing priorities of our intelligence agencies. Bill hits the highlights from his latest book, "The Great Pretense."Heroes Behind HeadlinesExecutive Producer Ralph PezzulloProduced & Engineered by Mike DawsonMusic provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Last year, Zack Polanski's Green Party suggested changes could be made to Britain's prohibitionist approach to drugs – and felt the full force of the mainstream media's indignation. But all over the world, the War on Drugs is shifting shape. Drugs are being legalised and commercialised. America now has its first legal weed-selling billionaire, while others serve out huge prison sentences for possession. Ash Sarkar sat down with Professor Kojo Koram, to discuss his latest book The Next Fix: The Winners and Losers in the Future of Drugs, which travels from a plantation-turned-prison in Louisiana to the psychedelic boom of Silicon Valley. So what does a drug policy fit for the 21st century actually look like?

In this compelling episode of the Tall Boy Radio podcast, host Beans sits down for an intimate, high-stakes conversation with Niles Gooding, a former DEA Special Agent and the voice behind the Reasons We Serve podcast.This isn't just a recap of "war stories"; it's a deep dive into the psychological and emotional landscape of a life spent on the front lines of the war on drugs.Niles opens up about his personal path to the DEA, detailing the drive that leads a person to pursue one of the most dangerous federal law enforcement roles in the world. He and Beans discuss:The Transition: The mental shift required to go from civilian life to the rigorous world of federal investigations.The Weight of the Badge: What it feels like to finally step into the field with the authority—and the target—that comes with being a DEA agent.One of the highlights of the episode is Niles's candid reflection on the "grey areas" of the job. He provides a fascinating look at:The Informant Dynamic: The delicate, often transactional, and sometimes volatile relationships between agents and the sources they rely on to dismantle cartels.Undercover Realities: The toll of maintaining a dual identity. Niles shares what it's like to operate in environments where one slip-up can be fatal, and the psychological "mask" agents must wear to survive.The conversation takes a poignant turn as Niles and Beans explore the "crux" of why he served. They move beyond the adrenaline of the bust to discuss:The Toll on the Beat: How years of service affect the average officer or agent, from the "compassion fatigue" to the physical and mental wear and tear.Universal Themes: Niles discusses his own podcast, Reasons We Serve, and the common threads he has discovered among his guests. Whether they are military veterans or first responders, the themes of sacrifice, identity loss, and the search for purpose after the uniform are universal.The Journey: From Aspirant to AgentLife in the Shadows: Informants and Undercover WorkThe Human Cost: The "Crux" of ServiceThis episode of Tall Boy Radio is a must-listen for anyone interested in the true reality of law enforcement, the intricacies of undercover work, and the enduring human spirit that drives people to serve despite the cost.Find The Reasons We Serve on YouTube(111) Reasons We Serve - YouTubeFind Reasons We Serve on SpotifyReasons We Serve: Police Careers & Experience | Podcast on SpotifyEpisode 100 of Reasons we serveMedal of Honor Nominee Navy SEAL RJ Thomas | Vietnam War Hero & Navy Cross Recipient | Ep. 100 - Reasons We Serve: Police Careers & Experience | Podcast on Spotifytallboyradio,com

Sam Faulkner is a London-based photographer and the founder of Print Swap, an iOS app. where photographers and visual artists exchange gallery-quality physical prints directly. No buying, no selling, no follower counts. Sam came to photography the hard way, travelling into Afghanistan in 1994 with a battered Canon, a few rolls of film and very little plan. His work has since moved between reportage, portraiture and long-form photographic projects, including Unseen Waterloo, his battlefield portrait series exhibited at Somerset House. Print Swap began with a gap Sam's own wall and a long-held habit among photographers: trading prints of each other's work. In a world of endless images and thin attention, it is built on a simple belief: a print on the wall changes the relationship.   In episode 285, Sam discusses, among other things: How his new app., Print Swap, came to fruition. How he got into reportage photography in search of adventure. Kashmir and Afghanistan - talkng your way in and talking your way out. Coming back with the six rolls of film that won him the Ian Parry Award. The influence of Nick Danziger's book Danziger's Adventures. Changes in the industry. His global story about ‘the war on drugs'. Lessons learned from shooting Mario Testino. The threat of AI and the issue of trusted brands within the news media. His decision to step back from photojournalism. His new working life directing commercials. His Unseen Waterloo project. Referenced: David Hurn Jonas Bendiksen Ian Teh Omar Ashtawy Neil Burgess Nick Danziger Aidan Sullivan Mario Testino Stephen Dupont Website | Instagram Become a A Small Voice podcast member here to access exclusive additional subscriber-only content and the full archive of 200+ previous episodes for £4 per month. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here for everything A Small Voice related and much more besides. Follow me on Instagram here. Need a new website? I will build you one with Squarespace. Details here.

The title of Elizabeth Roberts' new book, In Praise of Addiction, is likely to catch your attention, maybe even set off some cognitive dissonance in your mind. But the University of Michigan's Elizabeth Roberts doesn't want you to be unhealthy or take up new habits that can hurt you and others, she just wants you to consider that maybe we haven't been looking at addiction with the clearest of eyes. Why are some substances and habits tolerated and others scorned, their users told by society to abstain and isolated until they do? In her time living in Mexico, she noticed a big difference between people who drank or did drugs to cut themselves off from society versus those who used substances to connect with one another. She offers her analysis on how this was impacted by NAFTA and the War on Drugs in Mexico and puritanism and capitalism in the United States. This is a complicated issue but it's pretty healthy to challenge assumptions and to take a look at how those assumptions came to be established in the first place. Thank you to all our listeners who support the show as monthly members of Maximum Fun. Check out our I'm Glad You're Here and Depresh Mode merchandise at the brand new merch website MaxFunStore.com! Hey, remember, you're part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear what you want to hear about. What guests and issues would you like to have covered in a future episode? Write us at depreshmode@maximumfun.org. Depresh Mode is on BlueSky, Instagram, Substack, and you can join our Preshies Facebook group.  Help is available right away. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255, 1-800-273-TALK Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741. International suicide hotline numbers available here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joindepresh

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.

So an email landed in my inbox - Spark Arena named among the world's top 20 arenas. Now, this is a big deal. This isn't a list that's put together by some random Instagram account in Norway with 100 followers. This is a list put together by IQ Magazine. And if you're into music in a big way - like, really into it, more than a Rolling Stone kind of way - you'll know IQ Magazine is a big deal. So for Spark Arena to be named in the top 20 arenas in the world is a big deal. Since moving back to Auckland three years ago, I've been to Spark Arena more times than I can remember. I've seen everything there. I've seen The Wiggles, Suzy Cato, big noisy rock like The War on Drugs, Mumford & Sons, Lenny Kravitz - he was the best, wasn't he? I've seen big stars like Lizzo and Lorde and shows like Hamilton. I've been there in previous years, obviously, for things like Oprah Winfrey and Celine Dion. And every single time - honestly, without fail - I've had a great experience. Now, we can have a debate about the acoustics because, frankly, yeah, they do suck sometimes. I mean, you know, it's not the best. If you've experienced the best acoustics, you'll know this place is far from it. But otherwise, it's a great experience. It never feels empty in there, even with smaller crowds, because it's versatile enough to adjust for them. It's in the central city so it's easy to get to and from the great bars and restaurants around it. It's easy to walk out and grab an Uber, easy to find a car park nearby, easy to get to the train station or catch a bus. Staff are always helpful in getting you to your seat or pointing you in the right direction. The drinks are served fast. It's really easy to get in. I think we've become so consumed in Auckland in recent years with the debate that flares up every now and again about how we don't have a decent new stadium, that we forget what we actually do have - which is a really good arena right in the centre of town that does its job brilliantly. Well done them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group experts Renata Segura and Elizabeth Dickinson about Colombia's presidential election, in which right-wing outsider Abelardo “El Tigre” de la Espriella won by a razor-thin margin. They unpack a bitter campaign and what the result reveals about a country still deeply divided. They assess outgoing President Gustavo Petro's legacy and the failure of his “total peace” policy, which sought to reduce violence through dialogue with Colombia's many armed and criminal groups. They explain how those groups increasingly exert power by controlling civilians and local economies, rather than primarily by fighting the state. They also discuss De la Espriella's promised security crackdown, the dangers it could bring, Latin America's rightward shift and what to watch as he takes office.Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.For more, check out our Colombia page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a former school counselor, juvenile probation officer, gang investigator, and private investigator spends more than 30 years on the front lines of the drug crisis? In this eye-opening conversation, Dave Kopeny shares what he's learned about teen substance abuse, addiction, and the critical role parents play in prevention. Drawing from both his professional experience and his personal story of growing up in a family impacted by addiction, Dave offers practical, real-world advice for parents who want to protect their children before problems begin.Dave explains why he believes the traditional "war on drugs" has failed, how today's drug landscape is more dangerous than ever, and why every parent needs to have proactive conversations with their children. We discuss warning signs parents shouldn't ignore, common misconceptions about teen drug use, the impact of social media, and how parents can become their child's biggest influence when it comes to making healthy choices. Dave also shares details about his upcoming book, Tip of the Spear, and his free parent resource community, ASAP Community.If you're a parent, grandparent, educator, or anyone who cares about the next generation, this conversation is full of insight, hope, and practical steps you can take today.To connect with Dave, visit https://asapcommunity.org/

HELLMARE (2026)Director: Victor GabrielCast: Boyd Coffman, Lloyd Kaufman, and the rest of the crew who clearly had a blast making this thingIndie horror isn't dead — it got sucked into a VHS tape and came out swinging. This week we're covering Hellmare, the brand new 2026 horror-comedy from director Victor Gabriel and RFN Pictures, literally 48 hours after its premiere. Fresh takes, zero polish, maximum passion.We go deep on what makes this no-budget gem punch way above its weight class, why practical effects will always win, and why you should be following RFN Pictures right now before everyone else figures it out.In this episode, we discuss:Sucked Into the Tape — The core premise of Hellmare is genuinely original: a group of friends watching a cursed urban-legend VHS get pulled into the movie itself, forced to survive alongside characters from the trailers on the tape. It's Robert Rodriguez fake-trailer energy meets actual horror, and it works.Indie Horror Is Alive and It's Where It's At — We break down why Hellmare succeeds where so many no-budget films fail: tight storytelling, a clear narrative, practical effects that are genuinely gnarly, and a cast with real chemistry that feels like actual friends giving each other shit in a crisis. Because they are.The Tonal Tightrope — We don't just fanboy out — we get into the real critiques. The cartoon sound effects layered over otherwise serious horror moments, a scene in the barn where everyone stares at nothing, and some over-modulated audio that had us straining to hear a key line. Victor's getting better every film. These are the last kinks to iron out.Supporting the Scene — A genuine conversation about why it matters to show up for indie filmmakers. If you're tired of Marvel slop and Star Wars noise, you have to actually support the people swinging for something new. Follow RFN Pictures. Watch this movie when it drops on streaming.We Also Talked About:Marty: Life is Short (Netflix) — Martin Short documentary. Turns out the guy had an inexplicably happy childhood and is just... genuinely nice? Deeply suspicious. Worth watching.Lorne (2026) (Peacock) — New documentary on Lorne Michaels covering his full career, narrated by Chris Parnell. More access than you'd expect from the most private man in television.The Band That Wouldn't Die (ESPN 30 for 30) (Disney+/Hulu) — The Baltimore Colts marching band refuses to die after the team gets snuck out of the city in the middle of the night. The band is kind of the MacGuffin. The real story is a city getting its soul stolen.Without Bias (ESPN 30 for 30) (Disney+/Hulu) — Len Bias. Drafted by the Celtics. Dead 24 hours later. A documentary that goes way beyond basketball into the war on drugs and the paranoia that followed.Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) (Tubi)— Chuck Norris in kicking jeans vs. David Carradine in a sweater. Someone kills a dog. It escalates. Unnecessary explosions ensue. Classic.High Stakes (1986) (Fawesome) — Pre-Kids in the Hall Dave Foley discovers Nazi treasure. It's slow. Keanu Reeves almost got the part. Make of that what you will.Day of the Reaper (1984) (Tubi) — Shot-on-shittio cannibal slasher set in Florida. The hand moves in a dry bathtub. Forty people may or may not have gone missing since Friday. Essential garbage cinema.Some of the above links are affiliate links — if you purchase through them we get a small kickback, and it's the best way to support the show.New episodes of the Dewey Pod Monster podcast drop every week. We're proud members of the YouRun Podcast Network at https://yourunpodcast.com.

This is Podelay, a podcast dedicated to alternative rock pioneer Beck Hansen! After completing their Pod of Doom series, Randy Allain (Media/Lit) and Justin Mancini (TheCineMaverick.com) are back to take on a whole new genre. Our resident music podcasters are joined by Kris Ingersoll of Batman by the Numbers and the Media/Lit podcast, and this time, Randy steps into the host chair so that Justin can discover something new.In the eighth episode, Justin, Kris, and Randy are joined by Doug Lief of Nostalgia Arcanum and Playing by Ear as they get back to Beck's wide-ranging, eclectic rhythms. They offer thoughts on the religious connotations of scarecrows, stadium anthems that may (or may not) wear out their welcome, and the versatile voicework of one Christina Ricci. And as always, they recommend other artists for your listening pleasure.In every episode, each host will spotlight the following:·        Where It's At: a track they really like.·        It's A Loser, Baby: a track they don't.·        Sing It Again: a favorite lyric.·        Such A Beautiful Way: a favorite musical moment.Join them as they travel to a destination a little up the road from the conversations and the pods you know. Please join us for the show that poses one simple question: I'm a podcast, baby, so why don't you stream me?Host Picks: Where It's At (A Song We Think Is Underrated or Just Really Like)Doug – Rental CarJustin – MissingKris – Qué Onda GueroRandy – Go It Alone It's a Loser, Baby (A Song We Don't Like So Much)Doug – Broken DrumJustin – E-Pro (qualified)Kris – Missing (qualified)Randy – Rental Car (qualified) Sing It Again (A Favorite Lyric)Doug – E-ProJustin – ScarecrowKris – Emergency ExitRandy – Hell Yes Such a Beautiful Way (A Favorite Musical Moment)Doug – Earthquake WeatherJustin – Earthquake WeatherKris – Earthquake WeatherRandy – Black Tambourine Other Artists We've Been Listening To:Doug – The Who, Led Zeppelin, The War on Drugs, The National, ShearwaterJustin – Jonny GreenwoodKris – Jimmy Eat WorldRandy – Harry Styles

Every badge carries a story, but few careers have traveled the path of Chief Clay Morris. In this episode, we sit down with the Chief of Police of Hoover, Alabama, and journey through a life dedicated to service, sacrifice, and leadership. Raised in a family steeped in law enforcement tradition, Morris joined the DEA in 1995 and was soon sent to the streets of Dallas, Texas, where the war on drugs was raging and every operation carried the potential for danger. From high-stakes narcotics investigations and split-second decisions to the leadership challenges that would define his career, Morris recounts the moments that tested his resolve and shaped the man behind the badge. He also reflects on finding himself at the center of one of Dallas' most publicized investigations involving a Dallas police officer and former NFL starMichael Irvin. But this story is about more than arrests, seizures, and close calls. It is a story of brotherhood, perseverance, growth, and answering a calling greater than oneself. Join us as we explore the remarkable life, career, and legacy of Chief Clay Morris—a journey from the front lines of federal law enforcement to the chief's office, and the lessons learned along the way.

Watch the best scene reading: https://youtu.be/DO6c1RbZ9zwDuring the Great Depression, a troubled New Orleans beat cop gets a shot at redemption when he becomes the first Black federal agent in the Bureau of Narcotics—only to discover that the price of his status comes at the cost of persecuting his own community. What is your screenplay about?Reefer Madness is a one-hour historical crime drama set in 1933 New Orleans. It follows Gary O'Neill, a troubled but ambitious Black federal narcotics agent, as he becomes one of the first Black agents in the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and is pulled into undercover work inside the city's jazz clubs, dockside networks, and marijuana underworld.At the same time, Commissioner Harry Anslinger begins transforming marijuana into a national panic, using propaganda, racism, and political fear to build the foundation of what would become the War on Drugs. Tonally, we often describe the series as Boardwalk Empire meets Sinners, with the grounded political-crime engine of Narcos: Mexico: a seductive period underworld, a Black music-driven cultural pulse, and a federal propaganda machine colliding in the making of America's drug war.At its core, the story is about what happens when a man's biggest opportunity forces him to help enforce laws that harm his own community. What genres does your screenplay fall under?Historical crime drama and political thriller. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie/tv series?This story should be made because the history behind marijuana prohibition is still shaping lives today. Cannabis is now legal and profitable in many places, yet many people, especially Black and racialized communities, are still living with the consequences of the laws, convictions, stigma, and policing that came before legalization.That contradiction is at the heart of Reefer Madness: the distance between who profits from the plant now and who paid the price for it then. While developing the project, we travelled to New Orleans and saw advertisements for legal weed in a city deeply tied to jazz, race, policing, and survival, knowing that people are still imprisoned for cannabis-related offences.As a series, Reefer Madness offers a rich and entertaining world of jazz, crime, politics, undercover work, family fracture, and moral compromise, while opening a necessary conversation about propaganda, racism, policing, and historical accountability.——Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpodhttps://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpodhttps://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod ——Love for for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browseAlways an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

När Felipe Calderón tillträder som Mexikos president 2006 startar landets egen version av ”War on Drugs”. Calderón lanserar en stor offensiv mot knarkkungen Joaquín ”El Chapo” Guzmán, ledare för Sinaloa-kartellen.Åtminstone var det den officiella bilden som förmedlades utåt. Verkligheten visade sig vara betydligt mer komplicerad och ledde istället till ett av dom värsta kartellkrig världen har skådat. Och mitt i detta krig ska Indios de Ciudad Juarez åka ner till León för att spela en avgörande match om uppflyttning till den mexikanska högstaligan. Detta är urklipp från avsnitten om Indios de Ciudad Juárez 2008/09 del 1 och del 2 - publicerade i juni 2021. För att få hela berättelsen. Lyssna på avsnitten i sin helhet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interview recorded - 3rd of June, 2026On this episode of the WTFinance podcast I had the pleasure of welcoming on Dr Mark Thornton. Dr Mark Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute and a leading voice of the Austrian School of economics, author of The Skyscraper Curse. He is one of the few economists to have warned about the housing bubble well before 2008.During our conversation we spoke about his current view on the economy, Austrian Economic Theory, the FED's betrayal, what would fix the current situation, which assets to perform and more. I hope you enjoy!0:00 - Introduction2:06 - Current view of economy6:22 - Austrian Economic Theory11:50 - Wages going up?16:11 - Recent inflation23:00 - Kevin Warsh balance sheet28:36 - Solution35:30 - Which assets to perform?42:40 - One message to takeawayMark Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute, and was the Peterson-Luddy Chair in Austrian Economics from 2021-2023. He hosts two podcasts, Minor Issues and Unanimity, and serves as the Book Review Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics. His publications include The Economics of Prohibition (1991), Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation: The Economics of the Civil War (2004), The Quotable Mises (2005), The Bastiat Collection (2007), An Essay on Economic Theory (2010), The Bastiat Reader (2014), and The Skyscraper Curse and How Austrian Economists Predicted Every Major Crisis of the Last Century (2018). [high-res photo]Dr. Thornton served as the editor of the Austrian Economics Newsletter and was a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Libertarian Studies and several other academic journals. He has served as a member of the graduate faculties of Auburn University and Columbus State University. He has also taught economics at Auburn University at Montgomery and Trinity University in Texas. Mark served as Assistant Superintendent of Banking and economic adviser to Governor Fob James of Alabama (1997-1999), and he was awarded the University Research Award at Columbus State University in 2002. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and received his PhD in economics from Auburn University. In 2014, he debated in opposition to the “War on Drugs” at Oxford Union.Dr. Thornton has been featured in American Spectator, Barron's, Bloomberg, Christian Science Monitor, The Economist, Forbes, Investors' Business Daily, Le Monde, New York Post, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Economic Times (India), Financial Times (Norway), and Tejarat-e-Farda (Iran). He has also had regular multiple appearances on Russia Today and Press TVHis editorials and interviews have appeared in the following leading regional newspapers: Apple Daily (Hong Kong), Atlanta Constitution, Birmingham News, Business Alabama, Chicago Sun-Times, Houston Chronicle, Mobile Press Register, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Montgomery Advertiser, New York Post, Orange County Register, Richmond Times Dispatch, Tampa Tribune, and the Washington TimesHis commentary appears regularly in the Mises Daily and the Mises Wire. He also appears regularly on Boom-Bust, RT, Butler on Business, Tom Woods Show, Thom Hartmann Show, Scott Horton Show, Press TV and Freedom Works.Dr Mark Thornton - Misses Institute - https://mises.org/X - https://x.com/DrMarkThorntonWTFinance -Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wtfinancee/Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/67rpmjG92PNBW0doLyPvfniTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wtfinance/id1554934665?uo=4Twitter - https://twitter.com/AnthonyFatseas

Où l'on parle de Margaret Thatcher, mais aussi de trafic d'héroïne.

Oliver checks out 'Philadelphia's been good to me', the new record from one of his favourite indie artists, Kurt Vile. Oliver reckons it's Kurt's best since his golden period in the early 2010s. Tune in to hear favourites from another hazed-out classic from Philly's constant hitmaker. Also, favourites from the now10-year old tribute album 'Day of the Dead'. It features legendary indie rock artists covering classics from The Grateful Dead. Tracklist: Kurt Vile - Red Room Dub Kurt Vile - 99 BPM Kurt Vile - Avalanches of Snow The War On Drugs - Touch of Grey Kurt Vile, The Violators, J Mascis - Box of Rain Follow @asonicyouthpodcast on Insta and Facebook. This show is part of the Free FM 89.0 YOUTH ZONE. Made with support of NZ on Air.

Voor aflevering 57 ging ik op bezoek bij schrijver en journalist Saul van Stapele. Zijn nieuwste boek 'Woorden als Wapens - Mythe, Macht en Gangsta Rap' ligt sinds vorige week in de boekwinkels!Het boek gaat over de opkomst en impact van gangsta rap gebaseerd op dertig jaar ontmoetingen met kopstukken uit het genre die hij interviewde voor uiteenlopende media als NRC, OOR en Nieuwe Revu. Saul vertelt over het hiphop-zaadje dat al vroeg werd geplant en de manier waarop hij als student journalistiek al snel 'die guy' was, die jonge journalist die over hiphopcultuur schreef. Aan het clichébeeld van de boze, negatieve rapper is hij zich in de loop der jaren meer en meer gaan storen. Rappers en gangsta rappers in het bijzonder, moeten zich nog steeds vaak, in tegenstelling tot andere creatieve makers, verantwoorden voor hun onderwerp- en taalkeuzes. Door hiphop en rap te benaderen vanuit een kader dat alleen het boze en negatieve benadrukt, wordt een waanzinnig rijke en brede culturele stroming onterecht platgeslagen. 52 jaar na de geboorte van het genre vindt de gevestigde orde het nog steeds lastig om op dezelfde wijze te schrijven over hiphop als over andere kunstuitingen. In het boek deelt hij zijn verbazing en irritatie hierover en ook in dit gesprek deelt hij voorbeelden van het meten met twee maten door critici. Die benadering heeft zijn weerslag op hoe het publiek (gangsta) rap en hiphop ziet maar ook op hoe zelfs de meest succesvolle rappers over hun eigen werk praten, bijna verontschuldigend soms, legt Saul uit. Dertig jaar focus op hiphop en het de maat nemen van hoe de status quo deze cultuurstroming behandelt. Saul vertelt over hoe het allemaal voor hem begon, op Haagse pleintjes, op straathoeken en op zijn jongenskamer waar hij hiphop-tapejes grijsdraaide. Over de invloed van Fab Five Freddy, de zoektocht naar informatie in de eerste jaren en trips naar New York in de tijd dat daar bij media en platenmaatschappijen nog budget voor was. Volgens Saul hebben artiesten heel lang de rol op zich genomen om zaken aan de kaak te stellen, over bijvoorbeeld de ware geschiedenis achter de War on Drugs in de VS, die mainstreammedia lieten liggen. Die media hebben altijd geloofd in het officiële verhaal van de overheid en zien nu pas, met Trump, dat dit helemaal niet vanzelfsprekend is. Hoe ging dat eigenlijk bij dat eerste bezoek van Snoop Dogg in Nederland? Wat was het doel van Saul's eerste boek 'Van Brooklyn naar Breukelen'? En hoe verleid je een rapper als Eminem tot een gesprek dat de schijtlolligheid overstijgt en gaat over verschillende raptechnieken? Ook daarover vertelt Saul uitgebreid. 'Hiphop is veel meer dan een jongetje van 16 met een omgekeerd petje op die "yo, yo, yo" roept'. Dat is een van de belangrijkste boodschappen uit het boek. En hopelijk is dat iedereen na het luisteren van deze aflevering ook duidelijk...Muziek intro & outro: 'I can't find the words to say' door Onyx Ashanti.

Headlines here II- Vivid drops Airbnb as a sponsor in BDS push victory- Israeli to take 70% of Gaza- Human Rights Groups warn Australia will become a haven for war criminals from the West Asian war as IDF soldiers Israeli/ Australian dual citizens return to Australia.- Intercept report expose of former Trump campaign manager involvement in a well funded, concerted on-line pro-Israel campaign running in US some posing as pro-peace orgs.- 3 Latin American States fall into line with US military attacks under guise of war on drugs. freedomflotilla.org here II  Ever wondered about the years of planning and logistical support behind the Freedom Flotillas aiming to trounce Israeli's illegal blockade of Gaza? We speak to James from freedomflotilla.orgForever Free PT Campaign here II Matt and Maeve join us to talk up Forever Free Public Transport in Victoria.This is the Week here II Kevin Healy satirises the week comprehensively.Vigil 4 Homeless Deaths here II Homeless Persons Union Vigil to mark the deaths of people on the street was held outside the Melbourne Town Hall before the May 26th Council meeting which confirmed the expansion of the Community Protection Officer Program from 11 to 22  officers.Public Housing Rally here II Senator Lydia Thorpe talks about why it is necessary to fight for Public Housing in the shadow of the Victorian Labor Government  claim of a 'social housing revolution' which actually throws 1,000s of the most vulnerable people to the mercy of the wolves of the rental market and public lands over to private developers' pockets.https://www.savepublichousing.com/https://savepublichousing.org/ SongsEarth to Eve - No KingsEarth to Eve - Code Level Orange   

In this episode of the Observatory Podcast, Scott and LaRae Wright sit down with Dr. Reid Robison to explore psychedelic therapy methods, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, clinical research with psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and the deeper relationship between mental health, spirituality, healing, and self-awareness. Dr. Robison shares how psychedelic medicines are being studied and used in careful therapeutic settings to help people work through depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, end-of-life fear, and deeply ingrained patterns of suffering. Together, they discuss the difference between symptom management and true healing, the importance of preparation and integration, the role of music as medicine, and why awareness may be one of the most powerful gifts these experiences can offer. This conversation also explores the future of psychedelic medicine, the evolving legal landscape, and the hope that these therapies may help more people access healing in safe, supported, and meaningful ways.Timestamps: [00:00:03] Welcome to The Observatory Podcast[00:00:17] Introducing Dr. Reid Robison and psychedelic therapy for mental health[00:05:40] Dr. Robison's path through psychiatry, ketamine, ayahuasca, MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD research[00:08:00] The 1960s, the war on drugs, and why psychedelic research disappeared for decades[00:13:35] Depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, and stuck thought patterns[00:16:10] Awareness, self-observation, and learning to see yourself clearly[00:19:31] The harm chart, psilocybin, alcohol, and rethinking risk[00:26:23] What ketamine is and how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy works[00:30:00] Preparation, dosing sessions, music, and integration[00:31:32] Neuroplasticity and reshaping old patterns[00:35:40] Music as medicine in psychedelic journeys[00:44:39] End-of-life anxiety, terminal illness, and psilocybin as a sacred passage[00:46:49] Spirituality, religion, and reconnecting with belief in a higher power[00:52:34] Healing stories, family work, couples work, MDMA, and PTSD[00:58:12] Psychedelic therapy, suicide, religion, and signs of cultural change[01:02:11] The future of psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, and legal therapeutic access[01:04:57] Self-awareness, sovereignty, and becoming your own curriculumNotable Quotes: “Psychedelics have proven to be a really effective way of doing that. Especially when an individual is really stuck in an inability to see themselves clearly and see what they're stuck in.” - Dr. Reid Robison [13:07]“Depression doesn't become just ruminating about the past as much and the anxiety doesn't become as much about worrying about the future. It becomes a thought pattern loop that we're stuck in.” - Dr. Reid Robison [13:57]“The single greatest thing that psychedelic medicines, plant medicines have given to me, in my experience with them and what I've observed with so many others is awareness.” - Dr. Reid Robison [16:59]“These medicines open up a window of opportunity, not just with awareness but also with neuroplasticity.” - Dr. Reid Robison [31:32]“They don't impose a religious belief.” - Dr. Reid Robison [46:56]“You are your own curriculum, you know, you are what you need to kind of understand.” - LaRae Wright [01:05:09] Relevant Links: Dr. Reid Robison: www.reidrobison.comNuminus: numinus.comPsychedelic Therapy Frontiers: therapyfrontiers.comInstagram: @innerspacedoctorProduced by NC ProductionsSubscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcast

Is your loved prodigal addicted? Drugs? Alcohol? Gambling? Our guest today offers a different approach for healing. Christina Dent, founder of End It for Good, advocates for approaches that prioritize life and the opportunity to thrive. She offers help and hope for families pursuing freedom and healing.Christina's Resources:Website: https://enditforgood.com/Christina's Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/christina_dent_end_the_war_on_drugs_for_goodChristina's Book: Curious: A Foster Mom's Discovery of an Unexpected Solution to Drugs and Addiction https://a.co/d/01A7Ju7pEnter for a chance to win a copy of Curious: judydouglass.com/giveawayJudy's Resources:Join the Prayer for Prodigals community here: https://bit.ly/3uyhSWQSign up for Judy's monthly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/39TBlYtPurchase a copy of the When You Love a Prodigal book for you or a loved one here: https://amzn.to/3RuiUx9Stay connected:Website: judydouglass.com/podcastFacebook: facebook.com/JudyDouglass417Instagram: instagram.com/judydouglass417X: twitter.com/judydouglass417Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judyddouglass/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JudyDouglass

There has been international condemnation of Israel's treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs. Also, Iranian state media is reporting that Pakistan's military chief is visiting Tehran later today in a bid to mediate peace efforts between Iran and the United States. The Justice Department in the Philippines has ordered the arrest of a senator, Ronald Dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court in connection with the country's war on drugs. Air France and Airbus have been found guilty of manslaughter over a 2009 plane crash which killed 228 people. In India, a satirical political collective themed around cockroaches - the Cockroach Janta Party - has attracted millions of online followers. NASA is set to launch a new space telescope, Roman, that it says will be able to capture images of vast tracts of the universe. A village in Ghana has been holding its own celebrations to mark the victory of Aston Villa Football Club in the Europa League.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Top of The Hour Shower Thoughts 96.7 KCMQ Morning Shag Weekdays 5a-10a on 96.7 KCMQ

In this episode, the myth that Black voting rights = voting power is analyzed through the lens of internal neo-colonialism following the recent devastating blow to the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais. We are joined by Petros Bein, author of "Internal Colonialism and the Reproduction of Capital", to explore the historical evolution from colonialism (Slavery, Jim Crow) to neo-colonialism.  The discussion focuses on the critical distinction between the right to vote and actual power, using examples like the War on Drugs and the Crime Bill to show how Black elected officials have historically legislated policies that harmed the Black community. The conversation ultimately concludes that while the fight for voting rights must continue, true power requires organizing above and beyond the State and its ballot box, as voting in a colony should not be confused with obtaining real power. Internal Colonialism and the Reproduction of Capital https://hoodcommunist.org/2026/04/02/internal-colonialism-and-the-reproduction-of-capital/   Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/blackmyths

Parliament in Israel passes a law to set up special military trials for Palestinians accused of taking part in the deadly Hamas-led attack in October 2023. The tribunal will be able to sentence those convicted to death. Also in this podcast: the European Union approves new sanctions against Israeli settlers accused of “supporting the extremist and violent colonisation of the West Bank". Ministers start to resign from Keir Starmer's government, as the embattled British prime minister fights to stay in office. The UN says more than 400 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan since a cross-border conflict with Pakistan broke out in October last year. A senator in the Philippines takes refuge inside parliament to avoid arrest over his alleged role in former President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. President Emmanuel Macron co-hosts the "Africa Forward Summit" in Kenya, to try to reset France's relationship with the continent. And new research suggests participating in the arts slows the ageing process. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

This week on Sustainability Now!, we continue our series of candidate interviews to get you ready to vote in the Kentucky Primary Election coming up on May 19th (or you can vote early this week!)! Tune in as your host, Justin Mog, sits down with Louisville Mayoral Candidate, Shameka Parrish-Wright. Metro Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright is a longtime Louisville community leader endorsed by LDSA, KFTC, SURJ, C-FAIR, and Planned Parenthood. This is her second run for mayor. She is a social justice activist and the Director of VOCAL-KY. She is formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated, and was the child of an incarcerated parent. Her family has been impacted by HIV and the war on drugs. Learn more at https://shamekaforlouisville.com/ Due to a new KY law, this is the first non-partisan Mayor's race in Louisville and there are 11 candidates on your Primary Election ballot: Jody HURT, Douglas LATTIMORE, Bill WELLS, incumbent Craig GREENBERG, Tina BURNELL, Bob DeVORE, Lisa Holliday HARRIS, Jeffrey YOCUM, Matthew BAILEY, S. "The D" DATTILO, and today's guest Shameka PARRISH-WRIGHT. The top two candidates will go on to the General Election on November 3rd. Forward Radio does not endorse any particular candidates, but we do endorse an informed electorate and we offer equal air time to all candidates for the same office. Kentucky Primary Elections are on Tuesday May 19th, including the Mayor's race, many Metro Council seats, Sheriff, County Clerk, County Attorney, and State Rep seats right here in Louisville. All Kentucky voters will also get to weigh in on who should replace Mitch McConnell in the U.S. Senate! Don't miss this opportunity! Find out where, when and how to vote, and see a sample ballot so you can do your research on all candidates at https://GoVote.Ky.gov In-Person Excused Absentee Voting begins this week on May 6, May 7, May 8, May 11, May 12 and May 13 Time: 8:30 am-4:30 pm Louisville Location: Jefferson County Election Center, 1000 E. Liberty St. In-Person No Excuse Absentee Voting will run May 14 - May 16, 2026 Time: 8:00 am-6:00 pm Louisville Locations: At dozens of locations all over Jefferson County As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com

In this engaging episode of John Solomon Reports, we dive into the latest developments in American politics and policy, with a special focus on the War on Drugs. John Solomon welcomes Sara Carter, the White House Drug Czar, who discusses the significant updates to the national drug strategy, emphasizing the urgent need to address the opioid crisis and the evolving tactics of drug cartels. Carter's insights shed light on how the administration is modernizing its approach to combatting drug-related issues in today's landscape.Listeners will also hear about the latest economic news, as job creation exceeded expectations, with 115,000 new jobs reported in April. Solomon highlights the implications of this data amidst ongoing global tensions, including the Iran war and rising gas prices.In a groundbreaking ruling, the Virginia Supreme Court declared the recent redistricting unconstitutional, a decision that could reshape the political landscape in favor of Republicans. Attorney General Alan Wilson of South Carolina joins the show to discuss the ramifications of this ruling and the ongoing redistricting efforts in his state, particularly concerning Congressman Jim Clyburn's seat.To round out the episode, Cliff Maloney shares his perspectives on the current political climate and the initiatives he's championing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kirk Lane joins Locked In with Ian Bick to share what it's really like after spending over 33 years in law enforcement. From starting out as a young officer to becoming a police chief and later a drug director, Kirk has seen every side of the job. In this episode, he breaks down how investigators get confessions from suspects, the reality of interrogations, and what actually happens behind closed doors. He also dives into the war on drugs, how it has changed over the course of his career, and what he learned from working narcotics and leading drug enforcement efforts. Kirk opens up about the most memorable cases, the challenges officers face, and the mental and emotional toll that comes with decades on the job. _____________________________________________ #LawEnforcement #PoliceLife #TrueCrime #CopStories #PoliceOfficer #CrimeStories #BehindTheBadge #lockedinpodcast _____________________________________________ Connect with Kirk Lane: https://www.cadca.org/team/kirk-r-lane/ _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Kirk Lane's Law Enforcement Journey 00:18 Childhood & Family Life 01:32 Growing Up with Deaf Parents 02:34 Early Influences & Aspirations 03:13 Choosing Law Enforcement 03:56 Military School & Early Career Skills 04:40 Undercover Skills from Childhood 05:07 Military Training & Wild Youth 05:28 Developing an Anti-Drug Stance 06:08 Early Views on Drugs 07:01 Peer Influence and Personal Choices 07:47 Family Influence and Purpose 08:13 Stepping Into Law Enforcement 09:16 Early Law Enforcement Roles 11:36 Dispatch & Jail Experiences 14:03 Small-Town Policing Differences 15:39 Lessons from Retail Security 16:58 Becoming a Small Town Police Officer 18:19 First Days as an Officer 19:10 Narcotics Enforcement Interests 19:24 First Undercover Experiences 21:03 Facing Danger Undercover 22:02 Maintaining Undercover Identity 23:02 Impact on Family & Personal Risk 25:22 Death Investigation & Advanced Roles 25:55 Missing the Impact of Overdose Cases 26:59 Targeting Dealers vs. Addressing Root Issues 27:00 Drug Enforcement & Asset Seizure Culture 28:18 Evolving Drug Trends & Jurisdictional Challenges 30:00 Rise of Clandestine Labs & Meth 32:00 Cartels, Youth, and Violence 33:22 What Happens After a Drug Bust 34:38 Motivations and Psychology of Big Dealers 35:45 Marijuana Enforcement & Observations 37:05 Leaving Undercover Work & Career Changes 39:42 Transitioning Roles and Maintaining Community Trust 42:42 Learning from Death Investigations 46:06 Community Expectations & Public Perception 47:41 Leadership as Police Chief 48:42 Challenges with Public Image and Media 50:01 Confessions & Interview Techniques 52:21 High-Profile Cases & Handling Evidence 55:41 Roles of Courts vs. Police in Justice 01:00:01 Building Community Trust 01:00:34 Drug Views and the Opioid Crisis 01:02:01 Moving Into Statewide Drug Policy Leadership 01:03:11 Developing & Expanding Peer Recovery 01:06:03 Recidivism and the Power of Recovery 01:09:00 Shifting Standards & Maintaining Ethics 01:10:48 Transition to Overseeing Opioid Settlement Funds 01:13:14 Retirement Reflections & Succession Planning 01:14:14 Final Lessons and Takeaways _____________________________________________ To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kirk Lane joins Locked In with Ian Bick to share what it's really like after spending over 33 years in law enforcement. From starting out as a young officer to becoming a police chief and later a drug director, Kirk has seen every side of the job. In this episode, he breaks down how investigators get confessions from suspects, the reality of interrogations, and what actually happens behind closed doors. He also dives into the war on drugs, how it has changed over the course of his career, and what he learned from working narcotics and leading drug enforcement efforts. Kirk opens up about the most memorable cases, the challenges officers face, and the mental and emotional toll that comes with decades on the job. _____________________________________________ #LawEnforcement #PoliceLife #TrueCrime #CopStories #PoliceOfficer #CrimeStories #BehindTheBadge #lockedinpodcast _____________________________________________ Connect with Kirk Lane: https://www.cadca.org/team/kirk-r-lane/ _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Kirk Lane's Law Enforcement Journey 00:18 Childhood & Family Life 01:32 Growing Up with Deaf Parents 02:34 Early Influences & Aspirations 03:13 Choosing Law Enforcement 03:56 Military School & Early Career Skills 04:40 Undercover Skills from Childhood 05:07 Military Training & Wild Youth 05:28 Developing an Anti-Drug Stance 06:08 Early Views on Drugs 07:01 Peer Influence and Personal Choices 07:47 Family Influence and Purpose 08:13 Stepping Into Law Enforcement 09:16 Early Law Enforcement Roles 11:36 Dispatch & Jail Experiences 14:03 Small-Town Policing Differences 15:39 Lessons from Retail Security 16:58 Becoming a Small Town Police Officer 18:19 First Days as an Officer 19:10 Narcotics Enforcement Interests 19:24 First Undercover Experiences 21:03 Facing Danger Undercover 22:02 Maintaining Undercover Identity 23:02 Impact on Family & Personal Risk 25:22 Death Investigation & Advanced Roles 25:55 Missing the Impact of Overdose Cases 26:59 Targeting Dealers vs. Addressing Root Issues 27:00 Drug Enforcement & Asset Seizure Culture 28:18 Evolving Drug Trends & Jurisdictional Challenges 30:00 Rise of Clandestine Labs & Meth 32:00 Cartels, Youth, and Violence 33:22 What Happens After a Drug Bust 34:38 Motivations and Psychology of Big Dealers 35:45 Marijuana Enforcement & Observations 37:05 Leaving Undercover Work & Career Changes 39:42 Transitioning Roles and Maintaining Community Trust 42:42 Learning from Death Investigations 46:06 Community Expectations & Public Perception 47:41 Leadership as Police Chief 48:42 Challenges with Public Image and Media 50:01 Confessions & Interview Techniques 52:21 High-Profile Cases & Handling Evidence 55:41 Roles of Courts vs. Police in Justice 01:00:01 Building Community Trust 01:00:34 Drug Views and the Opioid Crisis 01:02:01 Moving Into Statewide Drug Policy Leadership 01:03:11 Developing & Expanding Peer Recovery 01:06:03 Recidivism and the Power of Recovery 01:09:00 Shifting Standards & Maintaining Ethics 01:10:48 Transition to Overseeing Opioid Settlement Funds 01:13:14 Retirement Reflections & Succession Planning 01:14:14 Final Lessons and Takeaways _____________________________________________ To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/LockedInWithIanBicka Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Diaz pulls back the curtain on the dangerous world of federal drug enforcement. From undercover operations deep inside cartel networks to life-or-death decisions along the border, Chris takes you inside the real war on drugs — one that doesn't end when the badge comes off.But that's not all.  Chris authored a children's book that reached the International Space Station — he's on a new mission: raising autism awareness and helping families feel seen, heard, and understood.

The question of drug legalization has never been more pertinent. In the USA, more and more states are legalizing the use of marijuana. Medical usages for psychedelics have also become a hot topic, thanks in no small part to some major podcast figures. But what should the Christian take on the decriminalization of drugs be? Should we maintain the status quo and resist the normalization of such substances? Or has the war on drugs actually created more harm than help?Here to wade deep into these murky waters is Christina Dent, founder of End It For Good, an organization that seeks to help us rethink what our best approach to drugs might be. For those wanting behind-the-scenes interviews with Christina and others, join our Patreon!

Britain has recorded the highest drug deaths in Europe. Green Party leader Zack Polanski has declared that this means the so called 'war on drugs' is not working, and favours a more liberal approach of legalisation. Michael Simmons is joined by John Power to look at the numbers and show why Polanski would likely make drug deaths rise under his policy.This episode is brought to you by Artemis Fund Managers, for more information on our fund range please click here https://www.artemisfunds.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your host, Stijn Schmitz welcomes back Dr. Mark Thornton to the show. Dr. Mark Thornton is Economist and Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute. This discussion centers on global economic disruptions, particularly in commodity markets and energy sectors, stemming from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Dr. Thornton highlights the significant impact of potential oil and gas supply disruptions, estimating that 15-20% of global supply might be affected. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:05 – Global Economy Uncertainty 00:04:10 – Middle East Disruption Impact 00:04:57 – Stock Market vs Oil Discrepancy 00:06:52 – Supply Chain Byproducts Effects 00:11:13 – Oil Cutoff Long-term Consequences 00:14:33 – Global Pain Points Analysis 00:22:38 – Reshoring vs Free Trade 00:31:26 – Natural Gas Opportunities North America 00:39:08 – Unleashing US Resource Potential 00:43:43 – Petrodollar System Cracks 00:50:25 – Gold Settlement Currency Role 00:56:03 – Gold & Fiat Currencies 01:02:42 – Concluding Thoughts Guest Links: Website: https://mises.org X: https://x.com/DrMarkThornton E-Mail: mailto:mthornton@mises.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mark+thornton+minor+issues Book-Hayek: https://mises.org/library/book/hayek-21st-century-essays-political-economy Dr. Mark Thornton is a Senior Fellow at the Mises Institute and formerly held the Peterson-Luddy Chair in Austrian Economics. He hosts the podcasts Minor Issues and Unanimity and is Book Review Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics. His books include The Economics of Prohibition, Tariffs, Blockades, and Inflation, The Bastiat Collection, and The Skyscraper Curse. He has served on multiple editorial boards, taught economics at several universities, and worked as Assistant Superintendent of Banking and adviser to Alabama Governor Fob James. He holds degrees from St. Bonaventure University and Auburn University and has debated the “War on Drugs” at the Oxford Union. Dr. Thornton has been featured in major outlets such as The Economist, Forbes, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, along with numerous international and regional newspapers. His commentary appears regularly on the Mises Institute's platforms and on programs such as Boom-Bust, the Tom Woods Show, and the Scott Horton Show.

Yo, yo, yo...what's up all you stoners! Mr and Mrs Weedman are back with another round of cannabis headline news, reports, research and they share some stoner stories too - in an effort to "Stomp The Stigma" and "Free The Plant". Their advocacy is intended to educate and entertain consumers, from the most OG Toker all the way to the Day 1 Experimenter.  They share their understanding of cannabis and they break down the barriers and stigmas that the War on Drugs created around this phenomenal plant that's so simple yet so complex.  Before they get into this week's big topics, they get normal - seshing on Governmint Oasis from Jim Berry's garden. This week Mr Weedman shares a great story about the disappearance of traditional hashish in the legal market and he delivers an update on the continuing acceptance of cannabis for treating medical conditions. Mrs Weedman brings you data on the decline of teen cannabis use in legal states, she shares tips on how to talk about cannabis with your doctor, and she covers news on the rescheduling of weed and how it will affect licensed cannabis companies. Thanks for listening, as always hit us up!Support The Show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/283607/supportTWITTER: @weedman420podYouTube: Weedman420 ChroniclesEMAIL:  weedman420chronicles@gmail.comSHOP: www.eightdecades.comIG: @eightdecadesEMAIL: eightdecadesinfo@gmail.comSesh With/IG: Jimmy Berry @Gardening_at_NightCannabis Truth - Cannabis Culture - Cannabis Education - Cannabis Podcast Medical Marijuana - 420 Culture - Weed Jokes - Weed Stories COPYRIGHT 2021 WeedMan420Chronicles©Suggestions? Questions? Chat with us here.Support the show

In this episode Jeff tears apart the latest assassination attempt against Donald Trump and the staggering security failures that allowed it to happen. From an armed suspect getting dangerously close to the president to the laughable claims that the system “worked” Jeff explains why this was a complete disgrace and why the response afterward was even worse. Jeff then breaks down the war with Iran and how what started with clear objectives quickly unraveled. Bad advice, unrealistic expectations and a fundamental misunderstanding of the enemy have led to a situation where Iran is now dictating terms. Trump's focus on markets and public perception over actual victory has turned a position of strength into an avoidable mess. The bigger problem is what this moment represents. Jeff argues this was likely the last real chance to cripple the world's leading terror regime and instead the United States blinked. The result is a stronger more emboldened enemy and a future that looks far more dangerous than it needed to be. Receive new episodes directly in your inbox: https://beyondthelegallimit.com/subscribe

The Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, accuses Israel of deliberately targeting journalists, a day after another reporter, Amal Khalil, was killed in an Israeli attack. Also: a UN official tells the BBC that even if the Iran war ends tomorrow, at least 32m people around the world will be pushed back into poverty. The UK and France sign a new three-year deal to try to stop migrants crossing into Britain on small boats. For the first time the Tanzanian authorities admit hundreds were killed in protests after the presidential election last October. A South African court blocks the repatriation of the body of the former Zambian president Edgar Lungu - halting plans for a state funeral in his homeland. Pope Leo ends his 11-day trip to Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, highlighting reconciliation, migration and inter-faith dialogue. The International Criminal Court says the former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will face trial for crimes against humanity over war on drugs. And artificial intelligence experts at the Sony corporation have built a table tennis robot that's defeated elite players.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Most mental health treatments manage symptoms, but psychedelic therapy goes after the root cause. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Lauren Taus, psychotherapist and psychedelic integration specialist, to break down what these medicines actually are, how they work, and whether they might be right for you. The history of psychedelic research — and how Nixon's war on drugs shut it down MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, and ayahuasca: what each one does and who it's for Why integration matters more than the experience itself How to find a qualified guide (and the red flags to watch for) The role of psychedelics in end-of-life care and death anxiety This episode is for anyone curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy, navigating treatment-resistant depression or PTSD, or looking for a grounded, honest guide to what these medicines can and can't do. This episode was made possible by: Beyond Biohacking: Save $400 on any ticket with code COMMUNE400 at beyondconference.com. LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at drinklmnt.com/commune. Vivobarefoot: Try Vivobarefoot risk-free with a 100-day return guarantee, and get 15% off your order at vivobarefoot.com/commune. Bon Charge: Get 15% off when you order at boncharge.com and use promo code COMMUNE Sunlighten:  Visit sunlighten.com/commune  Up to 2,100 off saunas and $50 off Red Light Products with code “COMMUNE”

In this episode of Gangland Wire, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence detective Gary Jenkins sits down with former drug trafficker Carlos Perez for a direct, unfiltered discussion about the evolution of the drug trade in America. Carlos has a new book out titled Pedro Pan: The Product of a Revolution Gone Bad The conversation opens with recent controversy surrounding the reported death of  the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader El Mencho, and what that development signals for the balance of power among modern Mexican cartels. From there, Gary and Carlos trace the arc of the drug trade from the Caribbean smuggling routes of the 1970s and 1980s to the dominance of today's cartel-controlled corridors. Carlos reflects on the era of Ronald Reagan and the early “War on Drugs,” describing a time when enforcement was uneven and smugglers routinely exploited weak regulatory environments in places like the Bahamas. He explains how traffickers adapted faster than policymakers, using maritime routes, small aircraft, and coordinated pickup operations to move multi-ton quantities of narcotics. Gary and Carlos contrast those earlier days with modern interdiction efforts—advanced Coast Guard surveillance, satellite tracking, military-grade radar, and cross-border intelligence sharing. What was once opportunistic smuggling has evolved into highly structured cartel logistics supported by corrupt officials and narco-state dynamics. Carlos provides a candid account of his own rise in the trade. Starting as a construction laborer, he moved into pickup crews retrieving floating bales of drugs in open water. Over time, he became involved in larger-scale operations involving aircraft and organized distribution networks. He details the operational mechanics, the risks, and the constant calculation between profit and prison—or worse. The discussion also explores the blurred lines between political authority and cartel influence. Carlos explains how governments in certain regions became intertwined with trafficking operations, illustrating how power, money, and violence intersect across borders. In the second half of the episode, Carlos shifts to a personal reckoning. He discusses the moral compromises required in the drug trade and the toll it takes on family and identity. Ultimately, he chose to step away, prioritizing stability and long-term survival over fast money. Now living a legitimate life, Carlos has documented his journey in his book Pedro Pan: The Product of a Revolution Gone Bad, offering readers a firsthand account of smuggling culture, Cuban heritage, revolution-era influences, and the psychological weight of that world. His story reflects both personal accountability and a broader commentary on the human side of organized crime. This episode blends law enforcement perspective with insider testimony, giving listeners a rare dual lens: the cop who chased traffickers and the man who once outran them. Hit me up on Venmo for a cup of coffee or a shot and a beer @ganglandwire Click here to “buy me a cup of coffee” Subscribe to the website for weekly notifications about updates and other Mob information. To go to the store or make a donation or rent Ballot Theft: Burglary, Murder, Coverup, click here To rent ‘Brothers against Brothers’ or ‘Gangland Wire,’ the documentaries click here.  To purchase one of my books, click here. Transcript [0:00] Hey, all you wiretappers, Gary Jenkins, retired Kansas City Police Intelligence [0:03] Unit detective. It’s great to be back here in the studio. It’s a cold day in Kansas City, Missouri, but we’re going to talk to a warm state and with a man that lives in that warm state, Carlos Perez. Welcome, Carlos. How are you doing, Gary? Doing good? Yeah, I’m doing good. A little cold, and I know it’s much warmer down there. We talked about that. Carlos was involved in the drug business, which is quite topical right now, especially today. Now, this won’t come out today, but as of over the weekend, the Mexican government arrested the El Mencho, the head of that, I can’t remember the name of that cartel. It was a Western Mexico, the state of Jalisco cartel. And somehow he got killed on the way to Mexico City as they’re transporting him. And his guys, the cartel members, are going crazy. Carlos, let’s talk about that a little bit, about this new war on drugs. When I was in Ronnie Reagan’s war on drugs, it was different than it is now. Now we have this new war on drugs with blowing drug boats out of the water. And this guy dies on the way to the bigger jail. Well, let’s talk about that a little bit. Carlos, how would you, as a former drug trafficker, how do you react to that? [1:18] The laws change. And the more that the smugglers change, the more that the system to catch them changes also. In fact, when you’re talking about Ronald Reagan’s war on drugs, there was quite a few things that allowed the smugglers to succeed. One was, most of it, and I’m talking Caribbean now, most of it was going through the Bahamas. The Bahamas had laws at that time where anything governmental was not allowed to land nor dock a boat anywhere in the Bahamas without the permission of the Bahamian government. Which, by the time they got to wherever, if they reacted, if they were advised of some drugs coming in, it would take them a long time to react. I think they had two boats for all the islands that had to travel back and forth. You never, you couldn’t, they couldn’t, the DEA, the Coast Guard, they couldn’t catch you. [2:12] And when you fly a plane in, you just land anywhere and say hello to the DEA as they’re flying by because they can’t land. And therefore, you score the load that you have. Nowadays, Jesus God Almighty, now you’ve got the Coast Guard out there. You’ve got the Coast Guard citation constantly flying, plus Navy. But you couldn’t get it done. And back in those days, that’s the way it was done. It was the Bahamas played a huge part. The prime minister of the Bahamas was so heavily, even though he never. [2:42] Did any time or anything he was heavily involved he took payoffs to left left and right the whole the situation is completely different now you got AWACS flying overhead that can hear you when you’re in the bathroom anybody here’s my opinion on that I want to know who in the hell was in charge of sending those boats out of Venezuela that after the first one got blown up who was telling them to keep sending boats over now if maduro this is my theory if maduro was smart he would have stopped that if he was really the one in charge he would have gone god you got to make me look better you can’t keep doing it that tells me he was not in charge of the shit okay so there’s someone behind that kept going send them we got to see if we can score keep the score, i don’t know how he kept doing that that was to me that was such a stupid move especially when you You see that you’ve got half of America’s Navy sitting on your doorstep, and you keep trying to send drugs. What are you, nuts? The Pacific, they should have gone over to the Pacific, where there’s less surveillance, and maybe run it up the Pacific coast by land. [3:53] Okay. Try to get it into Mexico by land. Because back in the day, Mexico was not really involved at all in that. It was the Caribbean. And then when the Colombian cartel, which was Medellin cartel, when they stopped losing so many loads, they started to go to Mexico. And through Mexico, they just flew small planes, landed in the woods somewhere in Mexico, and then they moved it up. That was not – you weren’t doing that in the Caribbean by that time. And talking about Reagan’s war on drugs, I had two – this is the sideline. I had two little boats coming in from the Bahamas that had marijuana on them. [4:35] I still got to laugh at this freaking idiot. One of them, they were coming in from – Bimney’s only 47 miles away. You can almost do it on the fumes of a gas tank. This guy forgot to gas up. Coming over, he gets stopped by the Marine Patrol, right? As they’re searching him, the other boat had gone through but was wondering where his partner was, and he goes back to see where the guy is. [5:01] How’s that for – anyway, they get them both. It was a total of about 1,200 pounds. That had come from Jamaica, that’s about –, And the vice president, who was Bush, was at the Coast Guard dock when they were unloading the boats. And I was sitting there watching, going, damn, they look like my boats. And when I investigated, it was a—but that was one little incident that had happened. But the difference between yesterday, yesteryear, and now is chronologically things change. They trump the other everybody that was a president or that that had something to do with stopping the trade with drugs never really stuck their foot in deep to stop it it makes me feel like yeah you’re not really you’re talking a lot but you’re not really doing much because if i was a cop my god i usually i’d have had all kinds of medals from stopping these people because it’s an easy thing but no one really had the interest who was involved economically up the top god and only In the Bahamas, I knew who it was. It was the prime minister. Knew his people real well. In the States, everything changes every couple of years. And you don’t know what they’re thinking, what their process of thought is to try to stop this. You know what it was? None. They didn’t try. Okay, they did not try. [6:22] There used to be, oh God, probably about two or three DC-3s a night landing in Bimini, 47 miles away. Okay? Each one of them had 10,000 pounds on it. The boats were running up the river, the Miami River. Once you get inside on a river, inside land, you pretty much already scored. That changed. Then it went to freighters, fast boats going out, picking up, coming in. Then when the United States stopped that, when they declared, we’re going to be able to stop any boat anywhere in international waters. You couldn’t do it back then. [7:02] When that ended then you began with the airplanes the airplanes would take it this is still back when you when the US or any governmental agency could not, set foot in the Bahamian territory, Bahamian waters, without the prime minister’s knowledge. The prime minister’s involved. You’re not going to get it. It’s not going to happen. So that change, and it went to small airplanes. Fly it in anywhere you want in the Bahamas, and then get your boats, and from there on in, try to see what you’re thinking, your process of thought is going to be to get it from the Bahamas, some of the shorter points to the States and to Miami at that point. One of them for me was easy. And that was because I had information on the Miami tower and where in the hell everything was at any point in time. So I would sit and wait for my messenger to get back to me, to tell me where the smoker was, which was the big Coast Guard boat and where the citation was. Once I knew that, I knew I could come across. And the only thing I was going to run into was fishermen. [8:10] So things changed. And then they allowed things change after that. And obviously they were allowed to go into the Bahamas and do whatever they wanted. But that was when Pinland was finally out. I don’t know who the prime minister became after that, but it changed. And now it became, this is why I think that the cartels were stupid. They, instead of doing as much as you could without getting noticed, they started bringing in loads of 10,000 and 20,000 kilos. I was like, God, what the hell do they get all that? I know where they get it, but since I know how the situation goes, I want to know how they amass it and get it onto one boat or one container or whatever and not have it noticed. That’s just way too much to not notice at one point or another. People get edgy around shit like that. In other words, I could take two people and put them in front of a container and separate them and tell one of them, that’s full of drugs, and then tell the other one, no, that’s full of furniture. And then stand both of them there and see who gets nervous. [9:16] It’s human nature. It’s human nature. If you know something bad is going on, to feel it and to react. Why they did that, I don’t know. I was one of the ones, if not the only one, that was sent to Mexico to teach them how to put airstrips in the middle of the jungle, how to protect them, what to do with them, where to put potholes with certain rocks, get them out when they play in the stomach, put them back in when he’s done so if anyone else tries to land, they’re gone. But how it got so deep, I’ll never understand that. And I was pretty much in the beginning of smuggling as to notice chronologically how everything’s seen because I stayed for quite a while. Yeah. Now, Carlos, you’ve written a book about this. What’s the name of that book? The book is called Heisting the Beard. I just need the beard. The beard with a D, meaning Fidel Castro. Ah, interesting. Yeah, he’s just in Cubans when they go like this to their chin or they mention him and they mention him as the beard. He was heavily involved in the decision-making of Cuba running drones. [10:27] That book is about, oh, I ran into a guy. This is how this happens, which is really fun. I ran into a guy who I used to call him by the name of Banco. And he came and told me that he knew where there was a big load of drugs, jewels that they had pilfered from the ocean where they knew that shipwrecks have gone down. Because no one can dive around Cuba. And Cuba is a country that held all the gold before it went to Spain. Everything stopped there and went on. So he told me he knew where there was a warehouse that was holding that plus a lot of coke. And I had ways to get in. I have a friend who’s Bahamian, who was actually one of my partners, who’s from Ragged Island in the Bahamas. Ragged Island is maybe… [11:17] 20 miles off the Cuban coast, down on the eastern end of Cuba. So it was easy for me to sneak in. Everyone thinks of Cuba as this military power, Russia’s buddy. They didn’t have shit. They couldn’t put a plane in the air. They didn’t have patrol boats. They had patrol boats, but I swear I could out-swim them. It was ridiculous to see at what point they were developed as far as a country. And it was like, everything is going downhill as today, and it keeps going downhill. So I would sneak in on a Zodiac. [11:53] And I’d hit the coast, middle of the night. No one would see me. I speak perfect Spanish. I speak a Cuban dialect. So I wasn’t going to get caught by it because I looked like a black bean in a pot of white rice. It wasn’t going to be like that. So we figured out where everything was, and we went in and took a little look. And got awake after a lot of headaches, but we were able to do that. There’s other instances where there’s an airport right next to Havana called the Varadero Airport, and it’s a military airport. And I know that they were holding a lot of cocaine that was going in there. The reason I know that is because hearsay in the streets in Miami, you go drink a little Cuban coffee somewhere, you hear assholes talking garbage, and they would say that they were getting boats ready to go to Cuba to bring in whatever they had. So it’s not really why they make it a mystery as to why they were involved. If you think logically, let’s say you leave Colombia and you’re doing business with Cuba. Wouldn’t it be safe to just, oh, you’re chasing me, let me land in Cuba and I got no problem, not because they don’t want you here, but they want me here. That’s logically speaking. So why that… [13:11] That mystery among people that they weren’t involved. What are you, crazy? Not only that, recently, you might have seen it, they’ve had a Carlos Leder Riva. Okay. [13:27] Carlos, can you say that over again? It just zeroed out to say that over again. After you said Carlos Leder. Leder Rivas. Yeah. Now, whatever you said after that, say that over again. [13:45] Carlos Lerder Rivas recently has done some interviews on the drug trade. He did a lot of time in the States over the Norman’s Key transporting point where all the coke would go there. And then, like I told you before, they fly it into the Bahamas and then over into the States. He recently has been on saying how he was personally involved with Raul Castro. I have no doubt about that. I knew him personally. i flew a couple times into that island where it was transported out so i know what he was told the reason i also know that is everybody has this pablo escobar myth in their head he was neither the boss and he was neither the money man the money people were the ochoas the military his might and his force did not come from him and his mouth that he could do this and that it comes from rodriguez gacha who had a 2 000 man private army and he was one of the members of the cartel and they never tell you who started it all and it was carlos letter rivas he was the one that started the cartel he’s the one that wanted to be on in the colombian parliament and was looking for votes escobar is he was a he was a late comer into all that stuff the only reason they put him out there that I can understand is because they just wanted to figure out that they could knock the hell out of later on. [15:09] Okay? Because when he started fighting against Los Pepes, which was that organization that got together to try to kill Pablo, Pablo reversed it on those guys. He got rid of almost all of them, but it wasn’t him. It was Rodriguez. [15:24] Rodriguez gotcha. He’s the one. And he was involved in the Emerald business before he got into the coke business. He was the guy, let me tell you what, when Pablo was around, and I only saw that once, when Pablo was around Gacha, okay, this was down in La Guajira, in the high desert in Colombia. When he was around Gacha, you could tell that he was subordinate. He was scared. He was like, damn, if I mess up with this guy, he’ll take my head off. [15:53] So people really have the whole story, Pablo, Pablo, my, you know what, Pablo, my ass. There’s a lot of people who you had to have money to do those things yeah and in those days they were strong enough because of the ochoas well they could gather big loads a thousand two thousand keys and put it all together but as time went on chronologically that shit changed okay i can remember once getting a load where it had it damn you they labeled it they labeled everyone One had one name, one had the other So what they were doing at that time Was it got so tough on them Because of Pablo’s big mouth And because of his, I’m going to take over Blowing up a plane Doing a few other attacking parliament All those things You couldn’t put those loads together To me there’s no cartels anymore To me they’re government Narco systems You. [16:55] The Mexican government is definitely involved with the cartels. And as you saw, we went after a cartel in Venezuela, but the head of the cartel was the Venezuelan government. So what they are is narco states now. And you know how hard it is to attack or to deal with a narco state? Now you’re dealing with a government entity that has a lot of power. It’s a completely different ballgame. And Venezuela themselves, including Cuba, had a diplomatic immunity flying into different countries with the drugs. And they could put a load of cocaine on and fly into Spain, and they had no problem with it. And they were doing those kind of things, I would say, recently, like within the last 10 or 15 years. Maybe even since Maduro has been there, which is about 20 years, that they’ve been doing that. Really, the United States can get information on anything they want. They had this information but couldn’t do anything about it. [17:57] So chronologically, everything changes. Back in the beginning, let me tell you, the first time I made a little money was hauling some marijuana with old Touch Brown from the Everglades. And I worked like a Hebrew slave for four days in the swamp hauling bails from marijuana and into the into the everglades and then over into miami and it was completely different game and you know what they didn’t cheat me for one penny they didn’t cheat me for one penny and how much came in 40 tons on one of the boats yeah it was 80 000 pounds on a freighter and we worked like little like slaves and they paid me like two weeks later, they paid me $2. I’ll tell you that story in a minute. You asked me a while ago how I got started. Should I answer that, or you got another question you want for me? No, go ahead. How’d you get started in that? You started out as a grunt, as we say in the military. You started out as a low-end worker, a guy that transports bales. What did you do? You started saving your money up, and you knew where the connections were, and finally you You bought your own load and just kept getting bigger and bigger. [19:11] In a sense, yeah, it wasn’t drastic. When I came in, here’s the story. I’m in Texas. My mom calls me up and tells me I have an uncle who’s in Texas. He wants to see me. I get together with him, and he’s driving a brand-new Cadillac. This is a guy who, two and two to him is 22. I know he’s my uncle, but he’s a dumb son of a bitch. [19:35] He’s telling me that he’s got a, you know what a roach coach is? Yeah. with those construction things with food. He tells me he has a red smoke in Miami and that he bought a house, got a house, he’s doing really good. And I looked at him and I said, bro, you’re the one that’s crushed. You’re the wetback. I came on a plane a long time ago. He’s telling me stories. What’s going on here? So anyway, he tells me and I say to him, get me a job. I was working as a carpenter in Houston. Straight out of college, I’m banging nails. I said, God damn, I’m banging nails. but I got an education here. What’s going on? So anyway, I loaded up in Houston. I head and I end up in Coconut Grove working for one of the bosses. My job was $500 a week and I had to go and sleep on his yacht about 7 p.m. And by 6 in the morning when the workers started coming in, just go. That went on for about four or five months and I finally said, let me make some real money because I saw he was still moving and doing things economically economically moving forward, and I was sleeping on a boat. So he finally gets me an interview with two of the bosses. And this is a building in Miami that was called the DuPont Plaza building. [20:52] And so we go to the meeting, and I’m talking to the two guys. One of them, they called him El Coronel, and the other one, El Colorado. The Colonel and Red. They were the ones that were handling it. And this was, by the way, this was marijuana, coming from Colombia at that time. So we go in there, and he tells me, no problem. I’ll pay you $2 a pound. Now, understand that at that time, at that point in time, my mind is in Jersey and New York. And if you’re moving 20 pounds from one place to the other, it’s a lot. You’re not dealing with loads at that time. We’re talking, what, 1977 in New York? And I looked at him, I said, you’re fucking crazy. You think I’m going to risk my ass for $2 a pound? Even if it’s 300 pounds, that’s $600. Are you fucking nuts? [21:45] My uncle grabbed me by the shirt, stood me up and said, excuse me. Walked me outside and said, listen, there’s 40 tons coming in. You want the job or not? I went back in. I apologized to you guys. I said, no problem. I will go to work. From that point on, there wasn’t, that’s just, was right about at the end of the big freighters. And so now my uncle invites me to go to Bimini because he had a friend there and they were going to do some job. I don’t know. When we go, I end up running into a younger guy, Bahamian, and I became partners with him. We call him Dreamer. And I said, look, if you can set things up over here and gather up whatever materials you can gather up, I’ll come and get it and we’ll be partners. At that time, a lot of freighters and a lot of boats were being chased by the Coast Guard and what they would do is they would drop, they would dump it overboard. Oh yeah. Ergo the, what they call it, the square grouper. [22:44] Yeah, I’ve heard that before. Bales were floating everywhere. You could go out. So what he would do is he would go on a boat, find bales that were floating. He would call me up, and he would tell me, hey, I salvaged a 300-horsepower engine. Come and get it. I knew what the weight was, so I knew what kind of boat I had to take. So I bought an 18-foot formula. I dug out the hole in the bottom. I made a secret hole. What the what cubans call a clavo a clavo which is you’re hiding it underboard he called me up one day tells me there’s three he can get 300 pounds i left at eight in the morning was back in miami by 11 30 left at about 12 30 went back and picked up another load so in that first job we ended up making a couple hundred thousand dollars from there we bought a bigger boat, Now he started patrolling, All the area where the boats were coming in Because everything flows from the Gulf Down in this area, flows north The Gulf Stream goes north So everything’s going to float this way somehow. [23:54] We did that for probably a year Until one time, I was over there. We were going fishing, and we ran into a duffel bag. The duffel bag had 65 kilos in it that was just floating. At that time, it cost probably around $40,000 a kilo in Miami, let alone New York. We didn’t bother to take it up north. Sold it all in Miami. I used to say to myself, where in the hell does all this cash come from? Because they would pay. We made a lot of money that time. And then we had seen… Carlos, let me interject here. No, no. [24:38] You were making hundreds of thousands of dollars just by picking up cocaine and marijuana that had been thrown off other boats. So you didn’t even have to go buy it, really. You guys were just picking it up, the square groupers, and then putting it together and then bringing it to money. That’s crazy. You are an entrepreneur. You’re a guy that sees an opportunity and seizes it. Tell you what. And that’s exactly how it went, Gary. When we made that big chunk of money, we had seen how things were going because we knew that planes were coming in and landing. And they had whatever it is that they were hauling, either coke or marijuana. So with that amount of money, we bought a plane and I decided to become a pilot. I said, hell, we’re going to cut this down. I’ll fly. We’ll save money that way. And now we can talk to the people down in Jamaica or Columbia and say, hey, we’re coming together. We’re taking a responsibility. We’re not going to middle it. We’re not going to find it. We’re going to do the job. And it took off from there. [25:43] Took off real good from there. Eventually, I see that you are going to build in to have a legitimate life, become a horse breeder and a ranch owner and rub elbows with all the kind of the muckety mucks, if you will, down there in Florida. So tell us about that transition and how did your life change during that time? [26:04] I had a family. I had four kids by then. And I knew that I was in a business where the chances were threefold. I either score or I die or I go to jail. And I didn’t like any of those odds at that time. I was like, you know what? I’ve made enough money. I got a small little ranch out here. I don’t need to do anything. And I decided that was it. I don’t need to be doing this anymore. I’m set. And I’m the kind of person, I’m set with what I mathematically calculate. I’m not like I need almost $20 million. I calculated it to where I knew I could be comfortable. And talking about the mucks and the big famous guys, I had lunch with Sam Walton one time. How did you do that? [26:59] I was at his, his daughter, Nancy Walton, Laurie was heavily into the horse. And by that time I was into horses also. So we used to, I used to show them all over the country and we were in, in Illinois at a horse show. And the setup that his daughter used to put out there was unbelievable. It was like, whew, she really put out a spread. And he happened to be there one time. And it wasn’t like I went and had lunch with him, but a few people sat around, ate a couple of grilled burgers. And that’s my story of Sam Wolfe, the richest man in the world at that time. And look who he’s having lunch with. how really i’ve noticed going to horse races that a lot of the support staff are all hispanic i think because hispanic people know how to deal with horses have an affinity affinity for horses, you’re absolutely right the barn work even me and who as far as the horses went i was a nobody i just had my own little stretch even my workers were mexican they just are good at it they’re very good at that. Interesting. They understand country life, too. Yeah. [28:10] So, what happened? You’re like, you’re going straight. You haven’t really done any time. Surely DEA, I know enough about them that they keep files, and they may not do anything about you now, but they know a lot about you, and they don’t forget. So, what happened here? You can’t feed the government. It’s an entity, not an individual. You know, one guy prosecutes you and he retires. That doesn’t mean your case is over. He hands it over to somebody else and it goes on and on. They didn’t get, I didn’t get caught doing anything. I had too many ways to outmaneuver them and not because I was smarter than anybody else. It’s because I had contact. I had a contact, like I told you, at the Miami Tower where I would call him and say, hey, I need to know where this was. He would call me back and let me know exactly when I could cross. [29:06] So it was a matter of, in my case, I didn’t play Russian roulette. I tried to put things on more of the positive end of it on my side but i’m so they arrested me for money because they thought i had too much first the irs came in and they started checking out the next thing i know is i’m being visited by by the fbi but it was alphabet soup when they showed up at their hotel yeah not the farm i was like what the hell are these guys doing here anyway they grabbed me took me in and i’ll give you a funny story and you used to be a policeman yes all They pick me up, and I say to the guy, the old James Cagney state, I’ll be home before you tonight. Yeah, I’ll be home. You’ll be still writing your report when I’m back home. You’ll still be filling out the paperwork, but I’ll be sitting at home. [29:58] So I played that act. And actually, I did get home pretty quick. I was able to call my lawyer. He actually called up the mayor of Fort Myers. His name was Wilbur Smith. And he was a lawyer also. And Wilbur is the one that got me. It happened to have been on a Friday, which meant if they didn’t work something out, I was going to sit my ass in the jail until Monday. When the judge comes up. But Wilbur got me out of it. Wait a minute. Wait till the dogs get, okay. Can you start that with Wilbur? Wilbur got me out of that when the dogs quit. Let’s see. [30:38] Anyway, Wilbur gets me out of it. I’m walking down the hall with Wilbur to go see the judge real quick. And he says to me, he goes, do you do drugs? Do you have any drugs on you? And I’m like, oh, Jesus. I don’t know. I smoke weed, but I don’t touch anything else. I never have. And he goes, so, okay, we’re okay with that. And in my pocket. I had a joint in my pocket. I pull it out and I go, here. Oh, Jesus Christ, put that back. Oh, Wilbur. Oh, Wilbur’s shit when he saw that. But anyway, I was home. I was home that night. Now, here’s another funny story. I had a, along with this story, I had a maid at the house at the farm. And she was Brazilian. And she was not a resident or anything. That girl took, when they came, went to pick me up. And they took me into, it was a U.S. Marshall. She took off running into the woods. and I’m talking deep Florida woods and when I got back home about an hour later she ends up showing up and I said what are you doing why did you take off like that I was scared they were going to deport me, if you were scared what do you think I was. [31:46] And when they showed up that one time when they showed up you could have sworn that they were picking up Pablo Escobar it was alphabet soup long guns long freaking guns not just People holding their little long guns. Yeah. And I’m like, all this for me? Really? And you know what it is? It’s not long before that happened. They had called me in to do a polygraph. [32:14] The FBI did. I had no problem because they were trying to associate me with the head of the Indian cartel in America, the guy that handled everything, including the money. You might have, did you see Cocaine Cowboys Kings of Miami? Yeah, I did. Okay. The one guy, George Valdez, that was pretty much testifying against the other guys that he said he helped. Like how can you you’re snitching right in front of everybody bro anyway he i had a farm next to his, and the next thing i know because i guess they tried to associate me with him i had nothing to do with him next thing i know the fbi is calling me out they do a polygraph even my lawyer said don’t do the polygraph it’s not mandatory said i got nothing to hide now they told me they were going to ask me about horses they ended up asking me everything except horses until i finally yeah took those things off my fingers i pulled them off and i said this is done and i left not long after that is when they swatted in i was like jesus god who do they think they’re picking up here i’m just a in in uh in sense i’m still even if they know everything i’m still a grunt, I’m working for you. It’s not like I’m Mr. Put-it-together shit. You call me up, hey, we got a job. You want it? Yes or no? But it was unbelievable. [33:41] I went to jail. I did some time in jail. When I got out, I never once again really, even though I got 100 phone calls about you want to go to work, you want to listen to that, I never really thought about it again. My kids were growing up. The youngest one was six or seven by then. And they had suffered because I was gone. Yeah. And I didn’t like that. That made me feel like shit. [34:10] It just, it got to the point where when I was working, I looked at everything economically. Hey, this is what I’ll be able to have. Once you have what you want, economics is bullshit if that’s what you’re working for, because you already have it. Yeah. And when I got out, my thoughts were completely different. My thoughts were that the money is not going to solve any issues I may have. Physically, maybe. Mentally, no. mentally, I’ve got to learn how to deal with a little bit of reality here and figure out who is affected by my actions. And the people that were affected by my actions were people that were close to me. And I didn’t enjoy that. I didn’t enjoy that at all. It made me double take. It made me go inside and do a lot of things. [35:04] So from that point on, I really didn’t know what to do. And so I have a friend who is a big-time producer in Hollywood. We grew up together in Jersey, who told me, wow, you’ve got a lot of stories. You should start writing. I never thought about writing. So I started putting down ideas. I wrote a book. I wrote a bunch of political essays on what was going on in Cuba. See, I grew up in a revolutionary family. My father was in intelligence, and my uncle trained the troops that were going to go to the Bay of Pigs, among other incursions into Cuba. So I came over, I’m six years old. I’m a Peter Pan kid. I don’t know if you know what that is. Now, what is that? You’ve mentioned that before. What is that? Tell the guys. Peter Pan is, it’s not a good translation because it has nothing to do with Peter Pan. In Spanish, it’s Pedro Pan and had to do with a little kid eating some bread or whatever. But in 1960, the Catholic Church got together and decided to send the children out of Cuba so they wouldn’t suffer the wraths of the revolution. In essence, 14,000 kids were put on planes and sent into the States. I was one of them. Wow. I ended up in Miami. [36:27] I was one of them, and I was actually one of the lucky ones because I had family in Miami at that time, so I was able to stay with them. My parents were still back in Cuba applying to leave. Back then, they called the freedom flights. So a lot of those kids though they were sent some of them were sent to alaska montana wyoming really they were dispersed all over through families that were willing to help and and keep them until their parents came so i was one of them that grew up because of my father and my uncle the conversation most of the time if not all the time was around cuba and his freedom so the revolution at that time is going really strong in New Jersey. There’s a family in New Jersey by the name, the last name is Cook. [37:17] And they owned a big factory called Cook, Color, and Chemical. They were very wealthy people, but evidently they lost a lot of land or investments in Cuba. So they were willing to help the revolution and the revolutionaries. They had a big farm in this small little town called Hope. And that little town, you had all the Cuban revolutionaries up there getting ready. I’m talking about going into the woods with every kind of equipment you could think of. And they were training to go to Cuba. Now, here I am, six, seven years old. And I’m running around the woods with these maniacs. They would dress me in camouflage and tell me I was the next generation of Cuban revolutionaries. And I’m like, what the fuck is this guy talking? I didn’t. I was having a good time with all these guys. [38:06] And it ended up being that the new york times caught wind that there were these crazy cubans. [38:12] In the woods in jersey and they had to move their operations down to florida but about what happened in jersey in jersey the mafia at that time they were all involved with the kennedy and the prior to the assassination and everything that was going on they thought that the cubans did it they thought to the mafia. They didn’t know who did it. But there was a get-together one time. I was probably about seven or eight years old, and it was a dove shoot where they had a thousand doves, and they would all line them up and let some of them go, and then they would do a big dove fricassee. But that meeting, I just remember the names because I was being introduced, the son of, and this is Mr. Spud. The names never left me. One of them was Santos Traficante, who was the head of the mafia in in in tampa the other one was fat tony salerno who was the head of the mafia in new york there was my mom’s cousin who was an fbi uh agent and a bunch of other guys that looked exactly like him they dressed exactly like him well i could pick you out of a barrel boy and a lot of these other i grew up in the jersey new york area so i know what tough guys act especially of the Italian guys. So there was a bunch of them walking around like they could take on the world. And this is part of my life. I’m a young person doing it. I really don’t know what’s going on, but I’m picking up on all this stuff. [39:40] They moved to Florida. I’m away from all that stuff for a while. But my parents regularly go to Florida for a visit, for vacation. So every year, I’m running into my uncle and the things that he’s doing, what’s going on. [39:57] And so the life never mentally never leaves me. I’m always, I’m always hearing next year in Havana, we’re going to get them, all this nonsense. So the years go on and on and the situation, you wonder how the smuggling game got started. The smuggling games basically, and I saw a report on this not long ago, some lady reporting on it. You had a lot of educated men that were involved in the revolution that wanted to get their country done. The U.S. government, Secret Service at the ICIA, whoever they may be, cut off the funds when all the bullshit with Cuba was done. You’re not allowed to leave from U.S. soil if we cut you with any arms headed down. And they caught a lot of these Cubans trying to go to Cuba on little boats with all kinds of armament. They didn’t do shit to them. Okay, they just slapped them on the head and don’t do that. But it got to the point where the government was not funding that part of the Cuban Revolution anymore. What do a bunch of college-educated, university-educated men do? [41:06] They’re going to go work at the Fountain Blue? My father worked at the Fountain Blue when he first got to Miami. And there was water fountains that said whites, blacks, and Cubans. He was still trying to drink. It’s like my mother used to tell me. I didn’t know I was white until I got to this country. And now all of a sudden we have white Spanish, white this, white this. It’s ridiculous. So these men were not going to go to work with a little bacon with a little Cuban coffee. They have all these contacts all through Central and South America because of the revolution. So who becomes the primary smugglers? [41:44] Yes, the Cuban revolutionaries. And that’s how smuggling was started in the Caribbean. I’m involved with all these people because of my father and my uncle. My legacy is I can get right in. I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. And that’s how I got to my uncle and him giving me the job with the guy. No, that nonsense. So it’s like the grateful dad said, what a long, strange trip it’s been. It’s been. [42:13] So where are you at now with your life? [42:17] Right now, we’re putting together hopefully a TV show on basically my life, but my life in a novel way, not in a very direct memoir way. And I continue to write. I am married to a wonderful woman who actually led me down this path. I was sitting on my farm doing quite well. My wife at that time had passed away from pancreatic cancer. That’s a death sentence. Yeah, I’ve heard that. [42:52] I didn’t have a will, and everything was in her name because I wanted to protect the family. Yeah. So when she dies, everything’s gone. I’m not knowing which way to turn here. I was 50, 70 years old. I thought I was going to be relaxing and fishing every day, and it didn’t work out that way. I was going downhill like a sled in a snowstorm, boy. I was going to hit eventually. I don’t know what bottom would have been, but I knew there wouldn’t be good. And I ran into a wonderful woman who led me down the road of, we’ve got to write, we’ve got to do this. And she is my manager, and we eventually got married. And sometimes things are tough, but they’re a whole lot better than getting that bottom. Yeah, really. Better than you’re out of jail. You’re not in jail. Not there anymore. What a long, strange trip it’s been for Carlos J.C. Perez. [43:57] I want to know how strange it gets to the point where the DEA comes to me to get information. And I’m like, you guys got to be kidding me. I always knew that when you’re in law enforcement, you depend on information. You go wherever you think the source is, that’s for sure. You think you can get something out of them. Exactly. They ended up being great, by the way. Great guys. Super nice guys. Okay? And if I said any different, I’d be lying. [44:28] But it doesn’t sound like you ever particularly worked for them. You didn’t go back in undercover for them either. No, no, I didn’t do that. Luckily, when I was doing the stuff that I was doing, it wasn’t out. It wasn’t a guns and roses type deal. I don’t ever remember collecting any money or doing anything where I had to have a gun on it. I’ll give you a little tidbit of something that just happened recently. I had to go into a government and reinstate my license or something like that. The lady’s going through it. She comes up with a ticket that I got in 19—now, I’m talking in the year 2000 and probably 14. She comes up with a ticket that I got in 82. It was a ticket. Yeah. The ticket was for $52. Two different tickets, 26 each. Okay. Yeah. You know what that ticket was for? I had come in from the Bahamas in the hull of the boat. I had 800 pounds. The Marine Patrol pulls me over and says, let me see what you got. They go through the whole thing. He finds two lobsters that I had in the live $26 per lobster. I got the ticket. The guy never checked the boat, never did anything. And I got in with 800 pounds, which at that time was like a quarter million bucks. [45:50] Oh my God. Life is funny, man. Life is funny. Life is funny. That’s for sure. All right. Carlos Perez. Now the name of the book and guys, I will, I will have a link in the show notes to it. Remind me of the name of the book, Carlos. Pedro Pan. Pedro Pan, as in Peter Pan. And Ron is bred in Spanish. So there’s something to think about the little magical character, Peter Pan. Not a thing. Not a thing. And it’s a product of a revolution gone bad, which basically is me. I’m an unfortunate product of that. Revolution. You’re back around now. You’re contributing to society. That’s the only thing that’s important in the end. Hey, I have a quick question. Did you ever hear of a book called The Corporation written by a guy named T.J. English? Oh, hell yeah. Read it from cover to cover. As a matter of fact, I know the guy. [46:46] What’s his name? Batista? Was it Jorge Batista? No, Battle. Battle, yeah. As a matter of fact, I know the guys that own the manuscript. Okay tj what’s his name what’s his last name tj english english the only thing he did was write the book off of the notes that they had gotten from a guy that i know his name is tony gonzalez tony gonzalez has another partner by the last name of freitas and what they did was they investigated battle over the years and years and and then somehow ran into english because he had written a couple of books on Cuba. And then T.J. English ended up writing that. And by the way, Battle took the New York mafia and put it on its knees. Yeah, I did a story on the book. And that’s true. He had to get permission. Actually, he had to get permission from back in the 60s from Fat Tony Salerno, and they couldn’t get an approval until Traficante stepped in and said, work with him. And what the hell were they doing then? They were killing each other. They were blowing up their little bolita houses and all that. Oh, that was crazy. But you know what? He was never any kind of a Cuban mafia boss. [48:05] He liked to fight chickens and play the numbers. The Cubans don’t really have a mafia per se. They’re too splintered. And in the mafia, you’ve got to go ask permission to do this and that. These crazy guys, they don’t ask anybody permission for anything. [48:19] Interesting that’s a that’s an interesting world that’s a whole different world that cuban, You’ve got the revolution on one side, the Castro revolution, and then you’ve got the anti-revolution against Castro that’s been going on all these years. And in the middle of it, you’ve got some of these people that were kicked out of Cuba that can’t get jobs and they only want you to work as a waiter or something. And so you go into business and the best business going with your connections is the drug business. And so it’s just a really interesting millage, if you will, or mix of people and situations down in the southwest part or southeast part of the United States. Oh, yeah, you’re right. It is a millage of like, how does this work? [49:04] There’s no sense to it sometimes. No, that’s for sure. I guess I’m glad they weren’t blowing boats out of the water. They might have got you back then. I can’t tell you what. They wouldn’t have dared because I would have said, I said, why don’t you do that? Oh, you get somebody else to do it. Yeah, probably what would have saved my ass anyway is that I have never, ever been money hungry. My family in Cuba, my great-grandfather was a sugar baron. And I’ve heard all the stories about all the money, but I’ve yet to see a penny. [49:36] I don’t work that way. I grew up with a bunch of humble people. And it wasn’t, damn sure, it wasn’t about money. And when I’m young, I’m not thinking like that. But now at my age, I go, wow, man, if I knew then, what do I know now? Yeah, really. All right, Carlos. Thanks a lot for coming on the show. I really appreciate it. No, no problem, Gary. Thanks for having me on. Okay.

When Mexican forces captured and killed the country's most-wanted cartel boss, it revealed how much President Trump's growing pressure is forcing Mexico to take on cartels. Maria Abi-Habib and Jack Nicas, who covered the developments, discuss the operation to take down the leader known as El Mencho, and Mexico's efforts against some of the world's most powerful criminals. Guest: Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City. Jack Nicas, the Mexico City bureau chief for The New York Times. Background reading:  Mayhem rocked Mexico after the killing of El Mencho. Analysis: Mexico is caught between Mr. Trump and the cartels. Analysis: In nearly 60 years of the war on drugs, what has actually worked? Photo: Luis Cortes/Reuters For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amid the chaos now unfolding in Mexico after the February 2026 assassination of drug cartel boss El Mencho, we're throwing it back to the 1985 torture and murder of American DEA agent Enrique ‘Kiki' Camarena at the hands of the ruthless Guadalajara Cartel… and how Kiki's death triggered the chain reaction that led to the drug wars raging in Mexico today.With whispers of a Cold War CIA conspiracy that still refuse to die, was Kiki on the brink of uncovering an inconvenient truth about the USA's War on Drugs? And if so, was he silenced by the very country he dedicated his life to protect?We're diving into a gritty underworld of cartels, conspiracy and deep-state corruption to find the answers. --Patreon - Ad-free & Bonus EpisodesYouTube - Full-length Video EpisodesTikTok / InstagramSources and more available on redhandedpodcast.com