The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

In this episode, a former drug trafficker "Fernando" breaks down how crystal meth from Mexico’s most violent region flooded small-town America — and how he lived at the center of it. Raised in a multi-generation trafficking family tied to Michoacán, Fernando reveals how meth labs in Mexico, tight-knit immigrant networks, and overlooked U.S. towns created one of the most devastating drug pipelines in modern history. From burying cash in the ground to moving hundreds of pounds before age 20, this is an unfiltered look at the business, culture, and consequences of the meth trade. Fernando discusses: -Why Michoacán became the epicenter of crystal meth -How cartel families expand into small U.S. towns -The economics of meth vs cocaine -Gambling, narco culture, and “front” businesses -How federal cases are quietly built for years -Life inside federal prison and the cost to family -Why leaving the game is harder than entering it This episode is raw, detailed, and brutally honest — a firsthand account of how an entire system operates in plain sight. This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: The Wellness Company! Visit twc.health/connect to get American Made Ivermectin. Order your 6-month supply today and use code CONNECT for $30 Off + FREE shipping. USA Residents only 🇺🇸 Ava! Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app , and when you join using MY promo code CONNECT20, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. Betterhelp! You can’t step into a lighter version of yourself without leaving behind what’s been weighing you down. Therapy can help you clear space. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 How Michoacán Meth Changed Everything 02:14 Meet Fernando: Family History in Trafficking 07:11 Michoacán's Cartel Culture and Drug Routes 10:49 Growing Up in a Narco Family in the US 15:36 This Episode Is Sponsored By The Wellness Company 17:15 Why Michoacanos Move to the US Drug Market 24:08 Volleyball, Gambling & Community: The Social Side 30:09 This Episode Is Sponsored By Ava 32:24 Drug Dealing, Customers, and Cutting Product 42:09 Transitioning from Cocaine to Meth 47:41This Episode Is Sponsored By Betterhelp 49:04 How the Meth Market Works 53:19 Cooking, Stretching, and Selling Meth 01:00:13 Family Roles, Buried Money, and Prison 01:10:05 Life in Prison and Staying Connected 01:21:03 Getting Busted & Prosecuted 01:31:36 Culture, Resourcefulness, and Prison Life 01:41:00 Reflections, The Present & Trying to Go Legit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Johnny sits down with Luis “Spider” Gutierrez, a longtime Northern California gang figure and former leader within the Norteño structure, to tell one of the most intense and unfiltered prison stories ever shared on the podcast. Raised in Salinas, California—one of the most gang-impacted cities in the state—Spider was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to decades in California’s most violent Level IV prison yards. What followed was nearly 20 years of nonstop war behind the walls: mass riots, stabbings, political power struggles, and surviving situations most inmates don’t live to talk about. Spider breaks down: -What it’s really like to enter prison already marked for war -How Northern California gang politics actually function on the yards -100-man riots, organized violence, and surviving multiple gunshot wounds -The reality of loyalty, reputation, and respect inside high-security prisons -Why he never dropped out—and how he eventually made it home alive This is not a glamorized story. It’s raw, graphic, and brutally honest—told by someone who lived every second of it and is still dealing with the aftermath today. Go Support Spider! IG: https://www.instagram.com/level4fitnessnorcal/ 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 Mando! Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo code MITCHELL at Mandopodcast.com/MITCHELL! #mandopod 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 Intro: Meet Spider - Notorious Prisoner 02:30 Life in Salinas: Growing Up in the Gang Epicenter 10:00 From Athlete to Gangster: What Drew Me to the Streets 14:30 Joining and Rising in Nuestra Familia 19:00 Attempted Murders and Sentencing: My Case 25:30 This Episode Is Sponsored By HIMS! 27:27 Walking Into War: Reception to First Riots 32:00 Yard Wars & Violence: Surviving and Fighting in Prison 39:30 Seven Years of War: Northern Politics & Respect 49:00 Major Riot: 4 Against 100+ and Getting Shot 52:24 This Episode Is Sponsored By Mando and PrizePicks! 55:10 Cell Phone, Smuggling & Making Money Inside 01:07:00 Staff Relations: Manipulating and Networking with COs 01:15:30 Contraband Hustles: Drugs, Phones & Profits 01:22:00 Running Salinas Valley: Power, Status & More Riots 01:33:00 Stabbings, Politics & Staying Alive 01:44:30 Infamy and Respect: Becoming the Northern Spartan 01:53:00 Stabbing My Cellmate: The Story Behind It 02:09:00 Hole, SHU, and Working the Politics 02:18:00 The End of the Stretch: Getting Released & Reflections 02:26:00 Aftermath: Returning Home, Living Free, and Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OG Gigavelli is a certified Miami original — born into violence, shaped by the streets, and forged in some of the most brutal prisons in America. OG breaks down a side of Miami history almost never discussed: the Black and Islander underworld that operated alongside — and often beneath — the Cocaine Cowboys era. From Liberty City and Brownsville to federal penitentiaries and near-death prison riots, this is a raw, unfiltered account of survival, crime, and eventual transformation OG came up during the wild 80s and 90s, where robbery was second nature, violence was currency, and the streets raised kids faster than families ever could. He details: -Seeing dead bodies as a child in Miami -Carjackings and robberies in broad daylight -The structure of Miami’s Black drug economy before it was ever “professionalized” elsewhere -Stabbings, race wars, and near-fatal ambushes inside state and federal prison -How Islam and time forced him to confront who he had become This isn’t glorification — it’s documentation. A firsthand account of a world most people only know through movies like Scarface or Cocaine Cowboys, told by someone who actually lived it. Go Support OG! YouTube:  @WhatTheyDoPodcast305  Book: https://a.co/d/2iiDBlo IG: https://www.instagram.com/og_gigaveli TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gigaveli Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 OG Gigavelli's Violent Origins & Miami Streets 05:36 Life in the Miami Hood & Early Hustle 12:00 Structure of Miami Drug Trade 19:03 Island Influence & Culture in Miami Crime 26:27 Transition to Robbery & Early Trouble 33:03 Juvenile Prison: Survival & Violence 40:28 Rising in Street Hierarchy & Prison Politics 45:06 State Prison: Robbing from Inside 53:34 Confrontations, Transfers, & Release 01:01:01 Struggles with Release & Cycle of Incarceration 01:06:34 Running a Trap and Chasing Fast Money 01:13:53 CM: The Harshest Lockdown in Florida Prisons 01:19:21 Post-Prison Hustling & Out-of-Town Moves 01:27:32 The Ecstasy Era & Big Hustles in Tennessee 01:34:08 Getting Caught: Counterfeit Money & Fed Indictment 01:41:58 21 Years in the Feds & Road to Redemption 01:46:11 OG Gigavelli's Books, Podcast & New Message 01:52:39 Miami Legacy, Final Reflections & Sign-Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this explosive episode of The Connect, Johnny sits down with Danesa White, better known as Bella Barcode — a former Oakland hustler who built a multi-million-dollar fraud and jewelry embezzlement operation before the age of 21. Raised in the heart of the Bay Area hustle, Danesa breaks down how she went from boosting clothes as a teenager to running sophisticated bank fraud, credit card approval schemes, and high-end jewelry thefts across all 50 states. At her peak, she was clearing hundreds of thousands of dollars a day, selling stolen diamonds, watches, and luxury goods to NFL players and major drug dealers — all while living a jet-set lifestyle that included Dubai, Miami, New York, and beyond. -In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Bella Barcode explains: -How early-2000s bank and credit card fraud actually worked -How jewelry stores could be forced into approving six-figure purchases -The psychology of confidence, misdirection, and playing the role -The moment everything collapsed — arrests, probation violations, and a federal case -Serving 7 years in federal prison and what women’s prison is really like -Why she finally chose to tell her story — and the price that came with it Today, Danesa has turned her life around and is inspiring others through her autobiography Recidivism: Beauty Before Bars, proving that survival, accountability, and redemption are possible — even after losing everything. This is one of the most detailed breakdowns of white-collar street crime ever told on the podcast — and a powerful cautionary tale about how fast money can disappear just as quickly as it comes. Go Support Danesa! Website: https://www.itsbellabarcode.com/ Book: https://a.co/d/ajXBp6y IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsbellabarcode_/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bellabarcode Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bella.barcode This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! 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 & Guest Overview 01:27 Life in Oakland & Family Background 03:35 First Hustles and Growing Up 07:46 Mastering the Bank Fraud Game 13:30 Taking the Hustle Nationwide 20:36 Scaling Up: Diamonds & High-End Stores 25:00 Inside the Diamond Game 34:24 Living Large: Lifestyle & Risks 36:33 Today's Sponsors 39:26 Making Mistakes & Legal Scrapes 43:00 Jewelry Licks & Giant Scores 50:54 How the Scam Actually Worked 55:00 The Downfall: Getting Caught 01:02:08 Federal Prison & Doing Time 01:13:01 Coming Home: Reentry & Building Again 01:18:45 Personal Growth & Female Bosses 01:24:48 Redemption: New Career & Book 01:28:01 Reflections & Life Lessons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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