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

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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

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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:

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On today's episode, Vince Vargas and Ed Calderon break down the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. mission behind it, and the implications for cartels, global powers, and Latin America.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

Sponsors:

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NOTE: This interview was recorded several days prior to the U.S. operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in which investigative journalist Jorge Ventura predicted would soon happen and possibly set a further precedent for military operations in Mexico. 

In a shocking new interview with Vincent "Rocco" Vargas on Borderland: Narcosis, investigative journalist and filmmaker Jorge Ventura reveals alliances between the CCP and Mexican cartels to smuggle Chinese operatives into the U.S.

Borderland: Narcosis is an IRONCLAD Original

Follow Jorge on X: https://x.com/VenturaReport

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.

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On today's episode, Vince sits down with Manuel Núñez, founder of Palente Mexico, a cattle exporting company operating in one of the most complex and high-risk agricultural environments in the country. Manuel shares firsthand insight into how extortion operates within Mexico’s cattle industry, including how criminal organizations pressure buyers and producers through illegal payment demands.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Sponsors:

1st Phorm:

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Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission.

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On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former pro MLB player Pete Polis, who ran a drug operation out of his Arizona furniture store while working with members of the Sinaloa Cartel. Today, he runs Seasons Housing, a clean and sober organization that has since helped over 100 men and women transition back into their communities.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

More from Pete:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pete.polis.2025

Seasons Housing:      https://www.seasonshousing.org/

More from IRONCLAD:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thisisironclad/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad

Sponsors:

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On today's episode, Vince sits down with Steven Hernandez of The North Group, a national security and intelligence expert. They discuss Venezuela’s role as a hub for threat actors, the presence of sleeper cells in the U.S., and the challenges of tracking multi-state security risks.

Sponsors:

1stPhorm

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.

AmmoSquared

Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission.

Aura: 

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On today's episode, Vince speaks with Nicholas Chase Valencia, a veteran of the Israel Defense Force and U.S. Army and counterterrorism researcher. Nicholas explains how Venezuela serves as a base for Hezbollah and allied networks, its ties to Iran, and why these operations pose a growing security and drug trafficking threat to the United States.

To read more about this, visit Nick's substack: https://globalreconreport.substack.com/p/operation-southern-spear-and-the?r=6did6v

Follow Nick on IG: @globalreconreport_

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On this bonus episode, former LA kingpin Pierre Rausini lays out his bold plan to dismantle the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels by targeting their most crucial asset: the underground super tunnels beneath the U.S.-Mexico border. He explains why neutralizing these hidden pathways is the key to stopping multi-ton drug shipments and finally gaining the upper hand in the border war.

To find out more, visit Pierre's substack: https://substack.com/inbox/post/179217530?r=4trvxq&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

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