#82 Luis Chaparro - Navy SEAL and Journalist Discuss Combatting Cartels with a Psyop | Part 2
Nov 8, 2023
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Luis Chaparro, a journalist specializing in narcos and cartels, discusses innovative strategies to combat drug cartels using psychological operations. He highlights the emergence of nitazenes, a dangerous new opioid even more potent than fentanyl, and addresses the growing influence of Mexican cartels in global markets. Additionally, he examines unsettling ties between the Albanian mafia and Latin American drug trafficking, as well as the challenges of human smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico border and its impact on local communities.
Cartels are infiltrating the US by forming partnerships with Americans instead of sending Mexicans to set up shops.
Criminal organizations strategically hire Americans to exploit their positions and expand their influence within the US.
The US-Mexico border faces challenges due to illegal activities, corruption, and a lack of comprehensive immigration process.
Deep dives
Cartels Setting Up Enterprise in the US
Cartels are setting up their enterprise in the US by forming partnerships with Americans rather than sending Mexicans to set up shops. They hire Americans and make them partners who distribute and sell their products. Key leaders of cartels are operating within the US using their American citizenship as an advantage. They create corrupt relationships with politicians, law enforcement, and other professionals to help facilitate their operations. This approach allows them to target the lucrative American market and maintain a lower profile compared to directly sending Mexican members into the country.
The Presence of Cartels in the US
Criminal organizations have long been present in the US and have embedded themselves within various sectors of society. Doctors, teachers, politicians, police officers, and other professionals have been arrested for their involvement with cartels. Cartels strategically hire Americans and exploit their positions to further their operations. This approach allows them to access resources, establish networks, and expand their influence within the US. Cartels have shifted their focus from Mexican nationals to Americans, who act as partners and help distribute their products.
Challenges at the US-Mexico Border
The US-Mexico border presents numerous challenges due to illegal activities such as drug smuggling and human trafficking. The border is plagued by corruption, making it difficult to effectively secure. Criminal organizations exploit these vulnerabilities, using diverse strategies to transport drugs and smuggle humans across the border. The situation is complex, with migrants crossing legally but unlawfully to claim asylum, overwhelming existing systems and resources. The lack of a comprehensive and functional immigration process exacerbates the challenges faced at the border. Border Patrol agents are tasked with managing an overwhelming workload while facing criticism for their efforts.
The Spread of Fentanyl and its Dangers
The podcast episode discusses the prevalence and dangers of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is causing a significant number of overdoses in the United States. Fentanyl is being mixed with other substances, such as heroin and fake pills, making it difficult for users to know what they are consuming. The episode explores the role of cartels in lacing drugs with fentanyl and the expansion of these criminal organizations into markets outside of Latin America, particularly Europe. It also highlights the recruitment of Americans, particularly vulnerable individuals, to smuggle drugs across the border.
Cartels' Operations in Europe and the United States
The podcast delves into the activities of cartels in Europe and the United States. It reveals how cartels have established connections with local gangs and mafias, creating profitable networks for drug trafficking. Cartels like the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation have found success in Spain, the Netherlands, and Albania, with Span being the second-largest headquarters for the Sinaloa cartel. The episode further discusses the use of Americans to smuggle drugs through ports of entry and explores the possibility of conducting interviews with prominent cartel figures on the show.
Luis Chaparro is a Journalist specializing in narcos, cartels, and immigration. This is his third appearance on SRS where he brings the most up-to-date information on the growing crises south of the border.
In part two, Luis outlines a staged and deliberate plan to defeat the cartels–a psyop. Shawn and Luis discuss this strategy in detail, harkening back to Ryan's experiences in the CIA. Chaparro also uncovers a new drug crisis that is overtaking the already disastrous fentanyl epidemic.
