Ed Calderon, Mexican cartel expert, discusses the complexities of Mexican drug cartels, their political influence, and the connection between drug trafficking and illegal activities like human trafficking. The podcast also explores personal security, training, and challenges in combating cartels, as well as the evolution of the drug trade and the impact on law enforcement.
The speaker discusses the complexities and challenges faced by a Mexican law enforcement unit in combating cartels and organized crime.
The unit employed various tactics, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, normalization, and psychological operations, to carry out their operations.
The speaker highlights the risks and dangers they experienced in their work, including incidents involving torture, assassinations, and violence.
Drug trafficking in Mexico has evolved, with cartels using diverse transportation methods and lacing drugs with fentanyl for increased potency and profitability.
Criminal organizations in Mexico have expanded their operations globally, infiltrating other countries and engaging in human trafficking and other illicit activities.
The podcast discusses the importance of advocacy, personal security, and community engagement in addressing trauma, supporting veterans, and combating cartels.
Deep dives
Training and Operations
The podcast episode discusses the speaker's experience in a Mexican law enforcement unit that combated cartels and organized crime. The unit was trained in a six-month boot camp-style program, where they were equipped with firearms, tactical gear, and trained in surveillance techniques. The mission was to target organized crime and high-impact crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and extortion. The unit operated independently, gathering intelligence from various sources, including social media, and conducting site reconnaissance. The speaker mentions that there was a lack of night vision equipment early on, but later they had access to monocular nods. The operations were often carried out in high-value neighborhoods to blend in with the locals and gather information undercover.
The Complexity of the Work
The speaker reflects on the complex nature of their work, which involved targeting different criminal syndicates and cartels. He mentions that they never received a clear mission statement and were often assigned tasks based on high-impact crimes and intelligence gathered. The unit had to adapt and be self-sufficient, relying on their own training and ingenuity to carry out operations. The speaker notes that there was always a level of uncertainty in their work, as they were never completely sure who they were working for or against at times. He mentions incidents where they had to cut down bodies hanging from a bridge, highlighting the dark and gruesome reality they faced in their line of work.
Tactics and Adaptation
The unit employed various tactics to carry out their operations, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, normalization, and psychological operations. They used social media and catfishing accounts to monitor targets and gather information. The speaker mentions how they normalized activities in certain neighborhoods to maintain cover and gather intelligence. They were resourceful in finding creative solutions, such as creating distractions or false reports to divert attention away from their operations. The speaker also mentions that they worked closely with local authorities, although there were instances where they had to be cautious due to potential corruption or conflicts of interest.
Challenges and Camouflage
The speaker highlights the challenges and risks they faced in their work. He mentions the dangers and traumatic experiences they encountered, including incidents involving torture, assassinations, and violence. The speaker reflects on the difficulty of establishing trust and navigation in a world where loyalty was often questionable. He discusses the use of camouflage and subterfuge techniques to blend in with criminal elements and carry out undercover operations. The speaker acknowledges the moral complexities of their work and the blurred lines between good and bad in the world they operated in.
Drug trafficking and criminal organizations
Drug trafficking, specifically the production and distribution of drugs like meth, cocaine, and marijuana, has been a major focus of criminal organizations in Mexico. Cartels have adapted their tactics over the years, utilizing various methods such as tunnels, submarines, catapults, and even RC cars to transport drugs across the border. Additionally, there has been a shift towards the lacing of drugs with fentanyl, as it increases potency and profitability. The influence of international actors, particularly China, in the drug trade has also been observed. Overall, criminal organizations have diversified their operations, expanding their presence to other countries and employing sophisticated tactics to maintain control over the drug market.
The influence of the occult and religious practices
Religious practices, including aspects of the occult, have long been integrated into the cultural fabric of Mexico. Some criminal organizations, such as the Zetas, have used these practices as psychological warfare tools and adopted aspects of the occult into their operations. Santa Muerte, a deity associated with death, has become a prominent figure within these practices, but it is important to note that it does not necessarily promote or involve human or blood sacrifice. While Mexico is a predominantly Catholic country, the influx of various occult practices from different regions has shaped the spiritual landscape. However, it is crucial to avoid demonizing the broader population of Mexico who find solace in their inherited faith practices, as criminal organizations have exploited and misused aspects of these beliefs in their operations.
The implications of organized crime and terrorism
Organized crime groups in Mexico, particularly the cartels, have become a formidable force that poses significant regional and international threats. These criminal organizations have established transnational operations, infiltrating countries like the United States, and have blurred the lines between crime and politics. The issue of designating them as terrorist organizations raises complex questions, but their tactics, scale, and impact warrant serious consideration. Cartels have diversified into various industries, such as pharmaceuticals and private healthcare, and have expanded their influence globally. Human trafficking, including the trafficking of children and involvement in organ harvesting, is another sinister aspect of their operations. It is a regional problem that requires joint efforts to address, and increased awareness and action are crucial to effectively combat these complex criminal networks.
Evolution of drug trafficking and the border dynamics
Over the years, drug trafficking has evolved in Mexico, with shifts in drug types and transportation methods. Methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana have been major focuses, along with the recent trend of lacing drugs with fentanyl. Cartels have employed various tactics, such as tunnels, submarines, and creative methods like catapults, drones, and hidden compartments in vehicles, to transport drugs across the border. The demand for drugs in the United States drives these operations, and cartels have adapted to exploit vulnerabilities, including economic migrants, to facilitate their drug trafficking activities. The porous border and opportunities for corruption have made drug trafficking a lucrative business. Efforts to counter this illicit trade face challenges, with the need for comprehensive cross-border collaboration to tackle this complex issue.
The Importance of Advocacy and Responsibility
The podcast episode discusses the importance of advocacy and responsibility, particularly for individuals who have gone through trauma or difficult experiences. The speaker emphasizes that it is essential to advocate for oneself and others, offering support and resources to those in need. They highlight the need for representation and platforms for individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives. The speaker also shares their personal journey and the responsibility they feel as an immigrant to the United States to make a positive impact and give back to the community.
Training and Empowerment in Personal Security
The podcast explores the topic of personal security and the lessons the speaker learned from their experience in high-risk executive protection and the military. They discuss the importance of situational awareness and adapting learned skills to current situations. The speaker highlights the need for individuals to take responsibility for their own protection and offers training courses on unarmed combat, blade work, and counter-custody techniques. They emphasize the power of knowledge and empowerment in dangerous situations and the importance of being prepared to defend oneself and loved ones.
Advocacy, Charity, and Community Engagement
The podcast episode delves into the speaker's commitment to advocacy, charity work, and community engagement. They discuss their involvement in supporting veterans, funding orphan operations, and charitable activities in the fight against cartels in Mexico. The speaker highlights the importance of giving back and utilizing their platform to raise awareness about issues faced by veterans and individuals affected by trauma. They also mention their passion for providing training and support to those who have experienced traumatic events, empowering them to take control of their lives and become more capable and resilient in the face of danger.
Today’s guest is security consultant, combatives instructor, Manifesto Radio podcast host, and Mexican cartel expert, Ed Calderon.
For more than a decade, Ed worked in organized crime investigations, counternarcotics, and public safety in northern Mexico. He also worked security details for high-level government officials and visiting dignitaries.
Ed's experience and knowledge have allowed him to advise and train some of the world's most elite law enforcement and special operations groups, including the FBI, BORTAC, Indonesian Kopaska, and Mexican and U.S. intelligence services. Today, he conducts seminars and private training on various security, protection, and combative topics.
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