The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

What does it really look like to live as a professional high-stakes gambler at the very top of the casino food chain? In this episode, Johnny sits down with RJ “Chip” Ryan — a legendary blackjack whale who spent decades betting millions per hand in casinos from Atlantic City to Las Vegas to Macau. RJ tells the raw, unfiltered story of how he went from a broke gambler driving to Atlantic City with his last $5,000, to carrying $10 million in checks, flying private jets, rubbing shoulders with billionaires and celebrities, and taking casinos for millions of dollars at a time. RJ is also known to many as “Robin Hood of Las Vegas” from the Cocaine Cowboys universe — the man who helped launder cartel money through casinos, later cooperating with the feds and offering a very different version of events than what’s been told on screen. This episode dives deep into: -The real math and psychology behind winning at high-stakes blackjack -How casinos court, reward, and ultimately try to break whales -Blowing millions in a single night — and coming back the next day to win it all back -Private jets, penthouse suites, celebrity parties, and casino politics The emotional toll of gambling, addiction, loyalty, karma, and survival -RJ’s personal reckoning after caring for his mother, losing everything, and betting his life on one final run This is not a glamorized gambling story — it’s a brutally honest look at the highs, lows, wins, losses, and moral gray zones of a life lived on the edge. Stick around until the end and decide for yourself: Was RJ a genius, a degenerate, a hustler — or all three? This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Ridge! Take advantage of Ridge’s Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/CONNECT #Ridgepod CashApp! Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/1ekoiacn #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Cash App Green, overdraft coverage, borrow, cash back offers and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Betterhelp! This December, start a new tradition, by taking care of you. Our listeners get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: High Stakes Gambling Stories 01:19 Growing Up in Philly & The Family Hustle 04:44 Early Gambling Influences & Lessons 08:09 Professional Gambling: Setting Goals 13:19 The Turning Point: Mother’s Illness and Debt 16:35 This Episode Is Sponsored By RIDGE 18:25 Building a High Roller Reputation 29:01 Life as a Whale: Jets, Parties & Big Wins 36:46 Vegas High Roller Lifestyle & Big Losses 43:34 A Word From Today's Sponsors 46:15 International Gambling & Casino Barred Stories 01:00:53 Advanced Blackjack Strategy & Discipline 01:12:12 Vigilante Gambler: Involvement With Law Enforcement 01:28:01 The Robin Hood 702 Charity Era 01:37:08 Australia, Owen Hanson & The Money Laundering Allegation 01:58:46 Confrontations, Lawsuits & Truth vs. Documentary 02:12:08 Working with the Feds: Taking Down Criminals 02:31:02 Cartel Connections & Final Reflections 02:38:44 Outro: The High Roller’s Ongoing Journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this explosive episode, Johnny sits down with Aaron Peila — a former multi-state Oxy distributor who survived five brutal years inside USP Victorville, one of the deadliest federal prisons in America. From running a massive opioid pipeline across Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest to navigating the violent racial politics of high-security federal lockup, Aaron pulls no punches as he breaks down his story in raw, unfiltered detail. Aaron explains how he built an oxy empire during the height of the opioid boom, how pills flowed through dirty doctors and retirement communities, and why markets like Alaska were paying exorbitant prices. He also opens up about the corruption inside the Bureau of Prisons, the influx of contraband phones after COVID, and what it really takes to survive in a place where everyone has a weapon and people get stabbed regularly. From music-industry ambitions and touring with rap artists…to DEA pressures, federal enhancements, snitches, RICO fears, and the three overdose deaths that nearly put him away for life… to trying to rebuild a life after 14 years inside a system designed to break you — this is one of the most gripping redemption-arc interviews we've ever had. If you want a real look into the American opioid era and the prison machine that chews up everyone involved, this episode is it. Go Support Aaron! Clothing Brand: https://cceapparel.creator-spring.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/aaronpeila/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@peilaroni This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/CONNECT Rag & Bone! Upgrade your denim game with Rag & Bone!. Get 20% off sitewide with code CONNECT at www.rag-bone.com #ragandbonepod Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: Aaron Peila's Story 01:22 Life Lessons From Prison 02:47 Reentering Society and Social Changes 03:47 Prison During COVID: Corruption & Phones 06:06 Prison Gangs & Racial Politics 08:36 Hustling Evolution: Weed to Pills 14:42 The Rise of the Pill Game 20:30 Building a Multi-State Operation22:49 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 24:29 Shipping, Networks, and Profits 33:33 Money Laundering & Legal Strategy 40:33 Getting Busted: The Pistol Case 49:41 Indictments, Conspiracy, and Betrayal51:57 This Episode Is Sponsored By Rag & Bone 54:15 Federal Sentencing & Prison Transfers 01:15:41 USP Victorville: Arrival & Politics 01:27:18 Race, Cars, and Prison Politics 01:34:37 Putting in Work: Removals and Demos 01:47:00 Violence, Stabbing, and Survival Skills 01:58:12 Hustles and Addiction Inside Prison 02:08:04 Getting Released: Transfers and COVID 02:18:16 Reflection, Growth, and Forgiveness 02:31:18 Life After Release & New Beginnings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Step inside one of the most legendary — and misunderstood — eras in American crime history. For the first time ever, Whitey Sullivan, the right-hand man to Washington D.C.’s infamous drug lord Rayful Edmond, sits down on camera to finally set the record straight. Whitey was there for all of it — from Rayful becoming a teenage millionaire valedictorian and star basketball player… to building a cocaine pipeline from Los Angeles to D.C.… to overseeing multi-ton shipments every single week. He counted the money, managed the crews, and stood beside Rayful during the DEA’s most dramatic kingpin takedown of the 1980s. His power, influence, and empire continued to shock law enforcement for decades. Today, Whitey is breaking decades of silence to reveal: - How Rayful became the most successful urban drug dealer of his generation - The violence, rules, loyalty — and mythology — of D.C.’s streets - The truth about the federal case, the media, and the betrayals - Rayful’s plan to go legit… and why nobody truly walks away - Never-before-told stories of wealth, danger & survival This is the raw, unfiltered story the streets still whisper about — straight from the only man qualified to tell it. This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Superpower! This holiday, give your loved ones the only gift that keeps on giving — health. Go to https://Superpower.com/gift to get a free $49 gift box with your gifted membership. Rocket Money! Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://rocketmoney.com/connect today. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: Setting the Record Straight 02:25 Rayful Edmond: Origins and Early Hustle 07:57 The Rise: Childhood to Drug Kingpin 18:13 Starting Out Pre-Crack Era 25:21 Transitioning to Cocaine and Expansion 30:57 This Episode Is Sponsored By Superpower 33:36 Running DC: Growing the Empire 41:01 Scaling Up: Bricks, Stash Houses, and Riches 57:41 Life as a Young Insider 1:00:42 This Episode Is Sponsored By Rocket Money 01:02:12 Rayful's Connections and the Colombian Cartel 01:14:48 Organization Structure and DC’s Drug World 01:29:02 The Crack Era: Streets & Violence 01:43:44 The Indictment: Raids and Arrests 01:56:00 Jail, Trials, and Surviving the System 02:14:09 The Second Case: Inside Prison Operations 02:30:09 Sentencing, Appeals, and Release 02:37:13 Coming Home: Release and Final Days 02:44:31 Rayful Edmond's Death and Legacy 02:56:53 Setting the Record Straight: The Real Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today’s episode Johnny sits down with legendary DEA agent Chris Feistl — one of the most effective and consequential drug enforcement agents in U.S. history. Chris personally arrested Miguel and Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, the elusive bosses of the Cali Cartel, widely considered the most powerful drug trafficking organization of all time. If you watched Narcos Season 3 on Netflix, you’ve already seen part of his story — Chris is the real-life blond agent portrayed in the series. In this extended interview, Chris opens up about the rise of the Cali Cartel, the downfall of Pablo Escobar, and the hidden history behind the bloody wars that reshaped Colombia forever. He breaks down the complex structure of the cartel, their revolutionary “cell system,” their political influence campaigns, and the global smuggling routes that made them richer than Medellín ever was. Chris also pulls back the curtain on his own journey — from a 20-year-old Jersey Shore seasonal cop, to busting multi-ton Miami cocaine loads, to chasing the most dangerous traffickers on Earth in the streets of Cali. He reveals what Narcos got right, what it didn’t, and the shocking tactics used by the Rodriguez brothers, North Valley Cartel, and paramilitary groups like the AUC. If you’re fascinated by cartel history, undercover work, international manhunts, or the real story behind Narcos, this is a must-watch. 📘 Pick up Chris Feustel’s bestselling book, After Escobar — available wherever books are sold. https://www.afterescobar.com/ 🎧 Get the bonus episode with Chris: ➡️ https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Mood! Head to https://mood.com to find the functional gummy that matches exactly what you're looking for, and let Mood help you discover YOUR perfect mood. And don't forget to use promo code CONNECT when you check out to save 20% on your first order. PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! 🔥 Topics Covered: -Chris Feistl’s path to the DEA and early undercover work -Miami in the late ’80s — the cocaine capital of the world -The true origins of the Cali Cartel -How the Rodriguez Orejuela brothers built the most sophisticated trafficking network ever -Their political infiltration strategy and the failed “Submission to Justice” deal -How DEA agents cracked the cartel’s encrypted communication and cell structures -The manhunt in Cali and the real events behind Narcos Season 3 -The rise of the North Valley Cartel & the AUC paramilitary death squads -Why Colombia today exports more cocaine than ever -What the show got right — and wrong — about the DEA’s role 00:00 Intro & Chris Feistl's Background 04:00 Becoming a DEA Agent 09:00 Early Law Enforcement Stories 13:00 Miami, Drug Boom & Cartel Landscape 18:00 Rise of the Cali Cartel 20:54 This Episode Is Sponsored By MOOD 22:55 Cartel Structures & Operations 30:00 Medellín vs. Cali: Different Styles 34:00 Working DEA Cases in Miami 39:00 DEA Recruitment, Spanish & Moving Overseas 46:00 Arrival in Colombia & Prepping for Cali 47:23 This Episode Is Sponsored By PRIZEPICKS 49:48 The Surrender Deals & Narcos Accuracy 56:00 1994 Colombian Elections & Cartel Political Influence 01:00:00 DEA Operations on the Ground 01:05:00 Navigating Corruption in Colombian Police 01:09:00 Breakthrough: High-Level Sources & Raids 01:15:00 Capturing Gilberto Rodriguez 01:22:00 Turning Jorge Salcedo & Targeting Miguel 01:30:00 The Operation for Miguel Rodriguez 01:39:00 The Final Raids & Arrests 01:47:00 Extradition, US Sentences & Aftermath 01:54:00 Legacy, War on Drugs & Modern Challenges 02:04:00 Corruption & Reflection on History 02:05:00 Final Thoughts & Book Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnny sits down with Pete Polis — a former Long Island baseball standout who went from MLB prospect… to becoming one of the largest dealers in Washington state history. Pete’s story sounds like something ripped straight out of Breaking Bad. After a promising baseball career with stints in the Blue Jays and Yankees organizations, a series of self-sabotaging choices pushed him out of the sport he loved. Settling into small-town life in Washington, Pete lived straight — raising kids, running a furniture store, and even building a massive food bank that fed hundreds of thousands. Then one conversation in his garage changed everything. What started with OxyContin and fentanyl patches evolved into full-scale trafficking. Pete quickly found himself moving hundreds of pounds of meth and heroin weekly, working directly with suppliers tied to the Sinaloa cartel. He watched the early waves of America’s fentanyl crisis from the inside — and unknowingly helped introduce the drug that would devastate the region. After a federal takedown and serious prison time, Pete is now fully legit, running sober-living homes and helping addicts rebuild their lives. This is a wild, emotional, and brutally honest look at how fast a normal life can turn criminal — and how redemption is still possible. Need help staying sober? Check out Pete's sober-living homes. https://www.seasonshousing.org/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Mando! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code MITCHELL at https://shopmando.com ! #mandopod Ridge! Take advantage of Ridge’s Biggest Sale of the Year and GET UP TO 47% Off by going to https://www.Ridge.com/CONNECT #ridgepod Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Pete's Early Life & Baseball Dreams 07:45 Growing Up Around Crime & Sports 13:00 Minor League Baseball: Challenges and Setbacks 23:00 Early Baseball Problems & Canada 26:03 Start Smelling Good With MANDO 28:16 Fight, Ejection & Minor League Life 32:45 Success in Sales, Setbacks, and the Road to Tri Cities 44:30 Falling Into Drug Circles and New Temptations 46:57 Get Up To 47% OFF At Ridge 48:43 First Steps Into Opioid Dealing 55:50 Prescription Pills and Fentanyl Patches 01:03:00 Cartel Connections & Expanding Operations 01:11:00 The Furniture Store Double Life 01:20:00 Rising Paranoia and Deeper Into the Game 01:31:30 Fentanyl Changes Everything: Addiction and Fallout 01:40:50 Addiction, Violence, and the Law Closing In 01:47:30 Getting Caught: Law Enforcement and Sentencing 02:03:00 Withdrawal, Consequences, and Reflection 02:09:30 Building a New Life After Prison 02:13:50 Seasons Housing and Redemption 02:15:30 Conclusion and Bonus Content Announcement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this powerful, deeply personal interview, Tanc walks us through a life shaped by gang culture, prison time, cartel connections, near-death situations, and ultimately—transformation. From his early days in the California state system to navigating the dangerous world of cross-border drug trafficking, he breaks down how major operations moved product from Peru and Mexico into the U.S., what it was like coordinating “jumps” across the border, why warehouses sat full of hundreds of untouched bricks, and the razor-thin line between survival and disaster. He also opens up about fatherhood changing his mindset, the struggle to find legitimate work after prison, facing racism while trying to re-enter society, and how community college became the unlikely start of a new path. This episode dives into: -His final state bid and what made him leave gang life behind -How he became involved with high-level cartel operators -The logistics behind massive cross-border drug shipments -The paranoia, betrayals, and close calls that come with the lifestyle -The moment he knew the feds were closing in -How education and family pulled him toward a different life Go Support Tanc! Protein Ice Cream: https://www.californiaiceprotein.com/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: BetterHelp! This month, don’t wait to reach out. Whether you're checking in on a friend, or reaching out to a therapist yourself, Betterhelp makes it easier to take that first step. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at https://betterhelp.com/connect Mood! Head to https://mood.com to find the functional gummy that matches exactly what you're looking for, and let Mood help you discover YOUR perfect mood. And don't forget to use promo code CONNECT when you check out to save 20% on your first order. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: Meet Tanc & Background 02:12 Growing Up in South Central LA 06:33 Early Crime, Robberies, and Bank Heists 13:35 Gang Life, Juvenile Time, and State Prison 25:29 Coming Home & Trying to Go Legit 27:15 Discovering the Hollywood Club Scene 29:59 Today's Sponsors 33:51 First Taste of Ecstasy—And Seeing $$ 36:40 Growing a Multi-Million Dollar Ecstasy Empire 45:47 Making Hollywood Connections & Living Large 53:23 Transitioning from Ecstasy to Cocaine 58:52 Meeting 'O' & Forming a Powerful Partnership 01:10:36 Into the Cartel World—International Drug Running 01:17:12 Cross-Border Operations & Stash Houses 01:31:15 Expanding to the East Coast: New York Hustle 01:41:11 Money Movement, Laundering & Risk 01:48:42 Scaling Up: Cartel-Level Distribution 02:00:06 The Fed Problem: Informants, Encounters & Risk 02:08:48 Busts, Betrayals & The Fall 02:19:12 Getting Pinched: Arrest, Indictments & Snitches 02:33:03 Concluding the Case & Lessons Learned 02:44:00 Life After Prison & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author Matt Cox joins the show to unpack an online conspiracy linking country megastar Garth Brooks to clusters of disappearances and unsolved homicides—claims that exploded from Tom Segura & Christina P’s Your Mom’s House meme into a crowdsourced rabbit hole. We stress: these are allegations and speculation, not proven facts. Still, Matt walks us through why some internet sleuths think the timelines and tour stops are suspicious, how “organized” offenders evolve, and what retired profilers and a former tour roadie allegedly told him about the logistics that make this theory feel possible. In this episode (allegations discussed): -The YMH spark and why the guest decided to write a book with a formerly incarcerated co-author. -What “heat-map” patterns of missing persons around tour dates might suggest—and where that logic breaks. -Interviews with retired FBI profilers, criminologists, a Hollywood producer, and an anonymous roadie (under NDA). -Early cases near Oklahoma State University, the move to Nashville, and a controversial first big purchase: 300 acres of rural land. -Touring mechanics: slipping away between load-ins, rest-stop encounters, and the “suitcase” hypothesis. -Vegas residency years, access to a private jet, and why some claim disappearances spiked. -Why a simple on-air appearance could defuse the rumor—and why that may never happen. Go Support Matt! Book: https://a.co/d/gV8O25l Podcast: @InsideTrueCrime This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: FRE! Listeners get 20% off their first order at https://FREPOUCH.COM when you use code CONNECT at checkout. That’s 20% your first order with code CONNECT. CASHAPP! https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/1ekoiacn #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. MANDO! As a special offer for listeners, new customers get 20% off sitewide with our exclusive code. Use code MITCHELL at https://ShopMando.com for 20% off sitewide + free shipping. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Introducing the Gar Brooks Conspiracy 01:55 About Matt Cox & Deep Dive Into the Case 04:05 Origins of the Viral Conspiracy Theory 07:00 Research Methods & Eliminating False Leads 10:30 Victim Patterns & Serial Killer Psychology 13:40 Serial Killers and Childhood Trauma 16:50 Gar Brooks' Childhood and Personality 19:20 This Episode Is Sponsored By FRE! 22:21 How the Theory Went Viral Online 23:00 Brooks' Silence & Celebrity Response 27:05 Linking Tour Dates to Disappearances 31:50 Early Homicides and College Years 36:00 The Nashville Years & First Record Deal 40:51 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cashapp and Mando! 44:32 Touring Lifestyle and Opportunities 48:05 Logistics: How Could Brooks Commit the Murders? 55:00 Connecting the Dots: Victim Demographics & Methods 01:03:00 The Vegas Residency & Private Plane Theory 01:09:00 Patterns Around Properties & Geographic Profiling 01:14:15 Recent Cases & Modern Technology Challenges 01:23:50 The Chris Gaines Alter Ego & Disassociation 01:31:15 Developing the Book & Challenges of Proof 01:35:45 Law Enforcement, Evidence, and Cold Cases 01:45:00 Psychological Profile: Narcissism, Lies, and Motivation 01:52:00 Circumstantial Evidence & Patterns 01:59:15 The Most Damning Cases and Eyewitness Accounts 02:06:00 Can Gar Brooks Ever Be Investigated? 02:10:00 Final Thoughts, Book Details, and Call to Action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In one of the most unbelievable redemption stories ever told, Johnny sits down with Dave Franke, a man whose life has taken him from the streets of North Hollywood to the front lines of Mexico’s war against the cartels. After losing custody of his daughter, he made the unthinkable choice — to move to Zacatecas, Mexico, and join the state police, fighting the same cartels that once supplied the drugs that nearly killed him. He opens up about: -Growing up amid gang violence and drug addiction in 1980s Los Angeles -Surviving attempted murder charges and life on the run -Finding faith and redemption after nearly losing everything -His shocking experience inside the Zacatecas State Police — from brutal training to real-life gun battles with cartel convoys -Corruption, U.S. involvement, and what it’s really like to fight the cartels from the inside Raw, intense, and deeply human — this episode dives into the darkness of addiction, the chaos of Mexico’s cartel war, and the unlikely redemption of a man who walked through both. Go Support Dave! Website: https://www.davefranke.com/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Ava! Download the Ava app today, and when you join using my promo code CONNECT20, you’ll save 20% for your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/connectmitchell or use code CONNECTMITCHELL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Ridge! Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code CONNECT at https://www.Ridge.com/CONNECT #Ridgepod Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: Violence in Mexico & Dave Franke's Quest 02:32 Dave's Background: Childhood & Gang Life in LA 08:26 Falling Into Drugs & Drug Dealing 13:19 Addiction, Violence & Attempted Murder 21:56 Rock Bottom and Getting Sober 24:18 This Episode Is Sponsored By AVA! 26:27 Losing Custody & The Move to Mexico 27:57 Motivation: Fighting the Cartels 29:34 State Police: Joining & Training in Mexico 35:34 Corruption, Human Rights & Reality of Policing 41:13 This Episode Is Sponsored By SURFSHARK and RIDGE! 45:46 Cartel Wars: Operations, Shootouts & Survival 55:49 Life in Zacatecas: Convoys, Shootings & Daily Danger 01:06:06 Cartel Corruption, Moles & Betrayal 01:21:05 Election Violence & Political Corruption 01:43:33 Did He Make a Difference? Reflections on Violence 01:49:49 Leaving the Force, Law School, & Life After 01:57:46 Reflections on Mexico & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this gripping episode, Johnny sits down with security expert Ed Calderon to break down the brewing storm across Latin America — from U.S. military posturing near Venezuela to narco-terrorism, drone warfare, and covert operations in Mexico. Ed warns that the “War on Drugs” is being rebranded as a war on narco-terror, granting governments new powers while blurring the lines between criminals, rebels, and civilians. They discuss how cartels are adopting drone and submarine tech, how Colombian mercenaries are shaping global conflicts, and why Mexico may already have U.S. boots on the ground. From fentanyl myths to Venezuelan oil politics, rare-earth resources, and the future of North American geopolitics, this episode dives deep into the shadow war few are talking about. -U.S. and Venezuela tensions -Covert ops and “narco-terrorism” narrative -Drone and submarine warfare by cartels -Rare-earths, oil, and geopolitical motives -Mexico’s internal corruption and militarization -Predictions for a continental conflict Go Support Ed! Website: https://www.edsmanifesto.com/ Merch: https://sneakreaper-industries.com/ Podcast: @manifestoradionetwork3191 IG: https://www.instagram.com/manifestoradiopodcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside Colombia’s hidden war, where guerrilla armies, drug cartels, and corrupt officials fuel the world’s cocaine trade. This documentary takes you deep into the jungles, barrios, and killing fields that the media never shows. Former hitmen and cartel soldiers reveal how children are recruited, trained, and turned into killers — and how Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel now bankrolls Colombia’s drug empire. From mass kidnappings and paramilitary takeovers to the corruption that keeps the cocaine flowing, this is the untold story of how modern cartels dominate a billion-dollar global network. This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Surfshark! Go to https://surfshark.com/connectmitchell or use code CONNECTMITCHELL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! CashApp! Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/1ekoiacn CODE: CASHAPP10 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit, overdraft coverage, and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Introduction: The reality of kidnapping and crime 00:26 Overview of the conflict and drug war in Colombia 01:26 Street situation: violence and constant caution 02:00 Growth of the coca industry and the failure of eradication efforts 02:28 Human impact: deaths, violence, and loss 03:02 Who really runs things? The power of the guerrilla groups 03:48 Recent trends: record seizures and the booming business 04:09 Coca production and lack of economic opportunities 04:39 The heart of drug trafficking: Cali and the Valle region 05:25 Social dysfunction: bodies, murders, and the law of crime 06:08 The life of a hitman: testimonies and motivations 07:45 Recruitment, training, and the cycle of violence 10:19 This Episode Is Sponsored By Surfshark! 12:34 Criminal rise and the regional power structure 13:12 The evolution of guerrillas and their narco interests 15:13 The link between drug traffickers, guerrillas, and Mexican cartels 17:22 Forced recruitment and life in the camps 19:43 Tactics, military training, and professionalization 21:29 Violent competition: gangs, jobs, and loyalty 23:07 The kidnapping business: targets, logistics, and victims 25:43 This Episode Is Sponsored By CashApp & PrizePicks! 29:42 Recruitment of minors and threats to families 31:38 Territorial war: attacks and regional domination 32:47 Black Eagles: emerging group and extreme brutality 33:44 Pistol Plan: targeted killings and threats against officials 35:09 Impunity and corruption: the law doesn’t reach the hitmen 36:43 Logistic networks: transport, routes, and body concealment 39:06 Power of the gangs and the fight for territorial control 42:39 Social impact: displacement, armed power, and corruption 46:06 Economic dilemmas: poverty, crops, and dependency 46:48 Final reflection: the cycle of violence and the search for a way out Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices