Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Pierre Rausini to break down a reported U.S. covert strategy, ‘Operation Seattle,’ putting pressure on Mexico’s cartels, political elites, and financial networks. They go inside the complex web of cartel power, money laundering, and U.S. leverage in Latin America.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:41) The Effects of the Events in Venezuela on the Drug Trade

(13:31) Reported Agreement B/T Trump and Sheimbaum to Take Down Cartel Leaders

(14:26) Leaked Information of Operation Sierra

(15:46) Why Taking Out Kingpins Doesn't Work as a Strategy

(17:32) Targeting Money Launderers Is the Key to Disrupting Drug Trade

(28:43 ) How Targeting Narco Tunnels Works

(33:32) Targeting Tunnel Chokepoints and Not Shipments to Disrupt Operations

(40:45) Tactics of Tractor Trailer Operations vs. Tunnels

(57:54) The Plaza System - How Narco Tax Collectors Work

(01:07:42) What Drug World Could Look Like in 5 Years

Sponsors:

1st Phorm:

Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products.

GHOSTBED:

Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide.

Subscribe to Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/target-intelligence-psyop-with-shawn-ryan/id1872168845

Norwood Sawmills:

Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/

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On today's episode, journalist Hels Goethe joins Borderland to discuss reporting from the San Diego–Mexico border, including open corridors, cartel smuggling routes, and footage showing armed men in Mexican military-style uniforms crossing into the U.S., with questions over whether they were Mexican military or CJNG impersonators.

They also examine how border intelligence is collected on the ground, the challenges of identification and repatriation, and how global actors — including China — intersect with border security issues.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:25) Illegal Crossings, Abandoned IDs at San Diego Border

(02:27) Mexican Military or CJNG?

(10:24) Evidence of Crossings the Government is Missing

(18:41) Armed Men Crossed Same Day as Ryan Wedding Arrest

(20:25) Venezuela, China, and Russia

(27:51) The Language of the media and Politics

(33:16) How ICE's Mission has Evolved

(40:38) Humor in Government Agencies' Social Accounts

(49:36) The Threat of Terror Cells in the US

(50:23) China as the most dangerous country to the US

Sponsors:

1st Phorm:
Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products.

GHOSTBED:
Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide.

Subscribe to Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/target-intelligence-psyop-with-shawn-ryan/id1872168845
Norwood Sawmills:
Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/

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On today’s episode, Vince sits down with investigative journalist Steve Fisher, based in Mexico City, to discuss organized crime and security in Mexico. They examine Fisher’s reporting on a cartel-controlled gold mine in Sonora, U.S.–Mexico security cooperation, recent extraditions, cartel power shifts, and the evolving tactics shaping today’s drug war.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction

(04:21) - How a Cartel Gold Mine was Reclaimed

(17:25)- Why Cartels Maintain Power in Mexico

(19:50) - Mexico’s Most Recent Extraditions of Cartel Leaders to US

(23:38) - President Sheimbaum’s Approach to Cartels and US Relations

(32:12) - Cartels as Integrated Ecomomic and Social Entities

(39:48) - The US’s Role and Responsibility in Drug Trafficking Networks

(44:35) - Drone Warfare: Cartels’ Most Intimidating Tactic

(47:56) - From Special Forces to Training to El Mencho and CJNG’s Evolution

Sponsors:

1st Phorm:
Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products.

GHOSTBED:
Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide.

Norwood Sawmills:
Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/

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On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Jon Griggs for an update on the CJNG-linked investigation in Kentucky. Jon shares newly discussed details, including alleged money laundering between $4–$10 billion, U.S.-based shell companies, Florida real estate, and international ties. Reported local payments exceeding $200 million and political connections are also examined.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Disclaimer: Listen to Jon’s first episode to catch up on the full story:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-narcosis-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324?i=1000705242380

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fYE3xf5YgRxNKaBdN5GiU?si=588f3010be204a9a

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:38) $10 Billion Money Trail

(8:24) Unmasking Shell Companies and Florida Properties

(11:58) Torture, Crypto King, and Potential Child Trafficking Victim

(17:04) Pre-textural Stops, Political Ties, Unanswered Calls to the AG

(25:00) Police and Politicians Possibly Implicated in Money Laundering

(32:09) From Dubai to China: The Global Crime Network

Sponsors:

1st Phorm:
Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products.

GHOSTBED:
Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide.

Norwood Sawmills:
Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/

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On today's episode, Vince speaks with Venezuelan actor and journalist Guillermo Garcia about Venezuela’s political and humanitarian crisis, life under Chávez and Maduro, and the impact of Nicolás Maduro’s capture. Guillermo shares firsthand insight into how the moment is being received by Venezuelans inside and outside the country, along with the broader role of foreign influence and ongoing political polarization.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:01) Journalism Suppression in Venezuela

(03:08)The Shocking Reactions to Capture of Maduro

(10:16)Suffering in Venezuela

(12:01)The Collapse of the Venezuela Economy

(15:19) Human Rights Violations in Venezuela

(17:21) What Comes Next for the People of Venezuela

(21:10) Watching Maduro's Capture in Real Time

(27:53) The Election That Was Stolen

(32:58) There are People Worse than Maduro in Venezuela

(37:12)America's Division is Deep

(40:52) Maduro is gone, but the regime remains

SPONSORS:

1st Phorm:

Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products.

GHOSTBED:

Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide.

Norwood Sawmills:
Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices