On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former California corrections lieutenant Hector Bravo to break down what he says is a growing crisis inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).Bravo, who served 16 years in the system, alleges how shifts in policy—including the “Agreement to End Hostilities” and the merging of general population with protective custody inmates—have led to rising violence, weakened accountability, and expanded control by organized gangs and ...
Jun 30, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 20
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Matthew Hedger—a former CIA operative and intelligence advisor with extensive experience in undercover operations and transnational criminal investigations. Matthew shares his background working under non-official cover, infiltrating criminal organizations, and gathering intelligence on illicit finance networks. He discusses how cartels move money through cryptocurrency, art, and other unconventional methods, and outlines the risks faced by undercover ope...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 19
On today's episode, Vince and Borderland: Dispatches host Katarina Szulc answer audience questions about the state of cartel violence and U.S. border security. They explore comparisons between CJNG and terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, analyze whether Mexican cartels pose a greater long-term threat than China or Russia, and discuss common public misconceptions about cartel operations. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland F...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 18
On this special Borderland: Narcosis interview, Vince sits down with NewsNation's Jorge Ventura to break down the chaos unfolding in Los Angeles. What began as peaceful protests has spiraled into violent clashes, property destruction, and citywide unrest. Jorge offers a frontline perspective on how these protests escalated, what the mainstream media is leaving out, and the deeper social and political tensions fueling the turmoil. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1st...
Jun 13, 2025•12 min
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Sean Williams, investigative journalist and host of The Underworld Podcast, to discuss the explosive growth of global drug cartels. They explore New Zealand’s soaring cocaine use, the rise of foreign cartel influence, and the role of Chinese triads in money laundering. A highlight is the Sinaloa Cartel’s use of submarines to smuggle drugs, showing how cartels have become global operations exploiting routes like the Pacific drug highway. They also discuss ...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 17
On today's episode, Vince speaks with Jason D. Owens, former Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol under the Biden administration. Owens discusses his career in the Border Patrol, the challenges faced during his tenure, and the realities of retirement. The conversation covers issues including border security, the impact of transnational cartels, human trafficking, and the role of specialized units like BORTAC. Owens also addresses the importance of technology, recruitment efforts, and threats posed by...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 7 min
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Steven Dudley, co-founder of Insight Crime and one of the leading voices on Latin American organized crime. They unpack the arrest of a top Sinaloa Cartel leader in Oregon—the largest fentanyl bust in DEA history—and what it means for cartel power dynamics. The conversation dives into how cartels exploit U.S. banks to launder billions, with a focus on the $3B TD Bank case, and how weak oversight and U.S. policy are sustaining the drug war from the inside B...
May 26, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 15
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back investigative journalist Katarina Szulc for a conversation on the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Mexico relations and cartel activity across North America. They discuss Mexico’s refusal to accept U.S. assistance in the fight against organized crime, the growing presence of cartels in Canada, and the challenges posed by Canada’s legal system in addressing transnational threats. Katarina also shares details about her new work in investigative journalism, focused ...
May 19, 2025•50 min
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back crime analyst and journalist Chris Dalby to examine how economic policies like tariffs can unintentionally empower cartels. They unpack the evolving tactics of criminal networks, explore how legitimate industries become entangled in illicit operations, and assess how U.S.-Mexico relations influence crime on both sides of the border. Chris also introduces listeners to the rise of Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang expanding rapidly across the Americas—and off...
May 12, 2025•46 min
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back former ATF Deputy Assistant Director and Operation Fast and Furious whistleblower, Pete Forcelli, to discuss Project Thor. Project Thor was a multi-agency initiative led by the ATF from 2018 to 2020, designed to disrupt the illegal flow of firearms from the U.S. to Mexican cartels. It targeted trafficking networks tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), using straw buyers, couriers, and financial investigations to cut off cartel access to weapons...
May 05, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 12
To read a copy of the death investigation, CLICK: HERE In this episode of Borderland: NARCOSIS, Vince sits down with Jon Griggs to discuss an ongoing federal investigation into a cattle farm Ponzi scheme that has already been classified as fraud by the FBI. With a background in law enforcement, Griggs shares how the case began with inflated cattle counts and investor losses—but quickly revealed something much larger. As Griggs alleges, the scheme appears to be just one piece of a broader and mor...
Apr 28, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 11
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Ray Donovan, former DEA Chief of Operations with more than 26 years of experience targeting global criminal organizations. Together, they unpack what the FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) designation could mean for China and Chinese organized crime, examine the rise of black market marijuana in the U.S., and discuss whether legalization could help dismantle the illicit trade. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stph...
Apr 21, 2025•49 min
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Brent Tucker, a former Green Beret and Delta Force operator with over 20 years of experience in U.S. Special Operations. They discuss what a U.S. military response to the cartels could look like, including the use of drone warfare, urban combat tactics, and cross-border operations. Brent also shares insights on corruption in Mexico, risk aversion in military leadership, and how special operations units assess threats in complex environments. SPONSORS: 1st...
Apr 14, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 9
On today's episode, Vince sits down with John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer and whistleblower, to uncover the shocking truths behind the U.S. government's involvement in the war on drugs. Kiriakou, who spent over a decade in the CIA, is best known for blowing the whistle on the CIA’s use of torture following the 9/11 attacks, which ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment. His career within the CIA gives him a unique perspective on the agency's covert operations and its complicated rel...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Disclaimer: In this episode, our guest Ceci speaks only Spanish. To ensure her story reaches a wider audience, Adriana Jones provides real-time translation. While we have made every effort to maintain the accuracy and integrity of her words, some nuances may be lost in translation. We appreciate your understanding and encourage listeners who speak Spanish to engage with Ceci’s words directly. On today’s episode, Vince talks to Ceci Flores and returning guest Adriana Jones to discuss the recently...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode, Jay Flores returns to set the record straight on drug cartels and trafficking. As former drug trafficker with firsthand experience in the world of organized crime, Jay discusses the realities of cartel operations, the role of cryptocurrency, and the differences between cartels and independent traffickers. He also touches on the impact of law enforcement and the evolving nature of drug trafficking, providing insight into the complexities of the issue. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Or...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 5
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former CIA and FBI agent Tracy Walder to explore the intersection of intelligence, national security, and the drug trade. Tracy shares her journey from the CIA to the FBI, discussing counterterrorism, drone warfare, and the role of intelligence in tracking cartels. She unpacks the CIA’s complex ties to drug trafficking, the fentanyl crisis, and China’s role in supplying raw materials. The conversation also examines U.S. border policies, the potential for ...
Mar 17, 2025•58 min
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back former L.A. kingpin Pierre Rausini to address feedback from his last appearance and dive deeper into the ties between the Sinaloa Cartel and the American military. Pierre discusses the cartel’s use of military tactics, the role of veterans in operations, the impact of U.S. strategies on drug trafficking, and the recent handover of 29 cartel members to U.S. custody and its implications for the drug trade, as well as the recent 29 cartel members that were ha...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 4
On today’s bonus episode, Vince talks to Scott Higham, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter with The Washington Post, renowned for exposing corporate corruption, criminal networks, and critical public safety issues. With a career rooted in investigative journalism, he has spent years uncovering the truth behind the opioid crisis—particularly the role pharmaceutical companies played in fueling the epidemic. As the co-author of American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid...
Mar 07, 2025•43 min
On today's episode, Vince sits down with former Sinaloa cartel kingpin turned educator, Margarito "Jay" Flores. Margarito Flores Jr. as known as “Jay”, grew up in Chicago, where he and his twin brother, Pedro, were born into a family of drug traffickers. Starting at the street level, they rose to run one of the largest drug distribution organizations in U.S. history, working directly with El Chapo Guzmán, El Mayo Zambada, and other high-ranking members of the Sinaloa Cartel as their main U.S. di...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 3
On today's episode, Vince Vargas sits down with Sarah Kinosian, the investigative journalist behind the revealing Reuters article, How a Factory City in Wisconsin Fed Military-Grade Weapons to a Mexican Cartel. Sarah talks through her investigation into how a small factory in Wisconsin became a crucial link in supplying military-grade firearms to the CJNG cartel. They also discuss the implications of this illegal trade, the role of U.S. manufacturing in fueling violence south of the border, and ...
Feb 24, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 2
On today's episode, Vince sits down with Pierre Rausini. Pierre Rausini is an author and former Los Angeles kingpin. He was charged with operating a criminal enterprise under the Federal Drug Kingpin Statute and prosecuted for participating in wide-ranging drug conspiracies. Rausini's extensive history of drug trafficking in Southern California throughout the 1990s involved direct collaboration with high-level Sinaloa operatives who managed the cartel's American-based distribution network and it...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 1
On this bonus episode, Vince welcomes back Katarina Szulc to discuss the recent propaganda video from Cartel De Noreste, claiming to reject violence while continuing their criminal activities. They dive into Trump’s pressure on Claudia Sheinbaum to combat cartels and examine the cartel networks at the Northern border. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 14, 2025•59 min
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back security expert and former Mexican law enforcement officer Ed Calderon to discuss Claudia Sheinbaum’s decision to send 10,000 Mexican troops to the U.S. border. They also explore the implications of this move, the response from Mayo Zambada and the Sinaloa Cartel, and how it may affect cartel operations. The conversation also covers perspectives from Mexican citizens and cartel members on Donald Trump and how his policies influence dynamics at the border. ...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 52
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with investigative journalist Katarina Szulc to discuss the escalating cartel violence in Mexico and the impact of the U.S. officially designating cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). To read more of Katarina's work check out: https://katarinaszulc.substack.com/about IG: @KatarinaSzulc X: @KatarinaSzulc Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 03, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Last season, we took you to the frontlines of the border crisis. We dug into the brutal realities behind immigration—the policies, the fears, and the human toll it takes on individuals and communities. That was just the beginning. Now, we’re going deeper. We’re pulling back the curtain on the ruthless forces that drive mass migration - organized crime. On the new season of Borderland, NARCOSIS We’ll take an even closer look at the institutions, criminal forces, drugs, and operations that are dri...
Feb 03, 2025•3 min
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Luis Navia, a former Cuban-American drug trafficker who played a central role in the international cocaine trade for over 25 years, and Jesse Fink, the author who chronicled Luis’s story. Born in Cuba, Luis fled to Miami with his family after Castro’s takeover in 1959. Raised in privilege, he attended private schools and Georgetown University before becoming involved in drug trafficking in the 1970s. Known in South American cocaine circles as “El Senador,...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 50
On today's episode, Vince responds to audience questions and comments, discussing the future of the war on drugs, the role of mass deportations, and the impact of drug legalization. He also shares insights on what the incoming administration’s policies could mean for the fight against cartels and border security. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 49
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with NewsNation’s Jorge Ventura to explore his career reporting on the U.S.-Mexico border, including firsthand accounts of covering cartel operations. They dive into what changes could unfold as the Trump administration takes office on January 20th, discussing the potential for mass deportations and the future of border enforcement Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Betterhelp Visit BetterHelp.com/borderland today to get 10% off your first month Lear...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 48
On today's episode, Vince sits down with Adriana Jones, a woman whose life was forever changed when her sister and young nephews were murdered in an attack by a Mexican cartel. She discusses how this tragedy led her to establish Rhonitavive, a nonprofit named in her sister’s memory, focused on raising awareness about the growing threat of cartel violence. To learn more about Adriana and Rhonitavive, visit: Website: rhonitavive.com Instagram: @rhonitavive https://www.instagram.com/rhonitavive?igs...
Jan 06, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 47
