On today's episode, Ed Calderon returns to Borderland: Narcosis to examine the operation that reportedly killed CJNG leader El Mencho. The conversation covers the details of the raid, inconsistencies in the official narrative, cartel responses across Mexico, and potential power shifts inside CJNG.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00 ) Intro

(01:00) Deep Dive: The Raid on El Mencho’s Compound

(03:50) How the Mexican Army Found Him

(05:51) Suspicious Evidence: Why the Scene Doesn't Add Up

(08:45) Secret Operations & Government Incompetence

(11:15) The Truth: Was the Death Faked?

(13:41) Cartel Power Vacuum: Who Takes Control?

(18:49) Forensic Proof: The Body and the Funeral

(23:23) The Secret Ledger System

(28:02) US Involvement: Delta, Seals, and High-Altitude Jumps

(31:21) The Next Targets: Chapo’s Sons and Remaining Bosses

(37:54) Insurgency Risk: The Future of Mexican Violence

(42:56) Is Mexico Safe for Travel Right Now?

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On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Samuel Cooper, Canadian journalist, author, and national security expert who has reported extensively on transnational crime, Mexican cartels, and international intelligence operations. They dive into the recent takedown of El Mencho, the rise of cartel influence in Canada, and what these shifts mean for North America’s security landscape.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro: The Convergence of Crime in Canada

(01:03) The Death of El Mencho & Global Cartel Takedowns

(03:16) Cartel Operations & Police Corruption in Canada

(07:21) The Global Web: Iran, China, & Narco-Terrorism

(10:38) 4D Chess: US Strategy & Securing Critical Minerals

(17:05) Cognitive Warfare & US-Canada Relations

(21:40) Why Canada is the Next Big Security Threat

(26:35) The Northern Border Crisis & Human Smuggling

(29:41) Ryan Wedding Update & Potential Fallout

(34:24) Mexican President Sheinbaum & US Intelligence

(38:13) Do the Mexican People Support US Intervention?

(40:31) Corrupt Officials & El Mencho's Financial Networks

(43:19) Chinese Money Laundering & The Trudeau Meeting

(47:12) Future Threats: Drone Warfare & Chinese Bio-Labs

Sponsors:

1st Phorm:

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GHOSTBED:

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On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Pierre Rausini to discuss reports surrounding the death of El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

They discuss what is known about the operation, reported intelligence involvement, and what the leadership change could mean for CJNG and other cartel groups, including the Sinaloa Cartel.

Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro: The Downfall of El Mencho

(01:34) Why President Sheinbaum Caved to US Pressure

(03:14) Tourism Panic & Evacuating Americans

(06:14) US Intelligence & The Master Plan

(09:54) The 4-Hour Firefight & CIA Drone Operations

(11:51) Who is the New Cartel Boss Taking Over?

(15:07) Cartel Retaliation & Negotiating with the Government

(17:34) Will Cartels Start Targeting Americans?

(20:13) Why Cartel Leaders Are Breathing a Sigh of Relief

(22:09) The Real Motive: China, the US, & the Silver Market

(28:25) How This Impacts the Sinaloa Cartel

(31:10) US SEAL Teams & Covert CIA Ops in Mexico

(36:20) US Drug Demand vs. Cartel Supply

(39:17) US Military Intervention & Mexican Sovereignty

(49:00) Who’s Next on the US Hitlist?

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On today's episode, Vince speaks with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco about cartel activity in Riverside County, including the arrest connected to the family of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:13) Why Riverside County is a Major Hub for Cartels

(06:13) First Encounters with Prison Gangs & Cartel Power

(08:17) How Border Policies Shift Cartel Operations

(12:16) The Cartel's Adaptable Business Model

(16:20) Money Laundering: Innocent Employees or Cartel Accomplices?

(19:32 ) The Arrest of El Mencho’s Son-in-Law

(22:08) Law Enforcement Corruption & Cartel Infiltration

(30:19) Do Cartels Bring Violence to Local Communities?

(33:46) How the Mexican Mafia & Prison Gangs Control the Streets

(36:52) Stopping the Cartels: Why Law Enforcement Must Cooperate

(40:34) The Dark Reality of Human Trafficking in Suburbia

(44:28) Child Trafficking & The Psychological Toll on Investigators

(48:12) A Disturbing New Trend: The Return of Massive Meth Labs

(50:20) - Final Thoughts

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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

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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:

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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

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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:

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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.

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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:

1st Phorm:

Visit https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland for Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75

GHOSTBED: 

Go to 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 norwoodsawmills.com. 

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