Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

On this special Borderland: Narcosis interview, Vince sits down with NewsNation's Jorge Ventura to break down the chaos unfolding in Los Angeles. What began as peaceful protests has spiraled into violent clashes, property destruction, and citywide unrest. Jorge offers a frontline perspective on how these protests escalated, what the mainstream media is leaving out, and the deeper social and political tensions fueling the turmoil. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Sean Williams, investigative journalist and host of The Underworld Podcast, to discuss the explosive growth of global drug cartels. They explore New Zealand’s soaring cocaine use, the rise of foreign cartel influence, and the role of Chinese triads in money laundering. A highlight is the Sinaloa Cartel’s use of submarines to smuggle drugs, showing how cartels have become global operations exploiting routes like the Pacific drug highway. They also discuss law enforcement corruption, Western governments’ underestimation of the threat, and the urgent need for international cooperation. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS:  1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince speaks with Jason D. Owens, former Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol under the Biden administration. Owens discusses his career in the Border Patrol, the challenges faced during his tenure, and the realities of retirement. The conversation covers issues including border security, the impact of transnational cartels, human trafficking, and the role of specialized units like BORTAC. Owens also addresses the importance of technology, recruitment efforts, and threats posed by non-state actors at both the southern and northern borders. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS:  1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Steven Dudley, co-founder of Insight Crime and one of the leading voices on Latin American organized crime. They unpack the arrest of a top Sinaloa Cartel leader in Oregon—the largest fentanyl bust in DEA history—and what it means for cartel power dynamics. The conversation dives into how cartels exploit U.S. banks to launder billions, with a focus on the $3B TD Bank case, and how weak oversight and U.S. policy are sustaining the drug war from the inside Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS:  1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back investigative journalist Katarina Szulc for a conversation on the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Mexico relations and cartel activity across North America. They discuss Mexico’s refusal to accept U.S. assistance in the fight against organized crime, the growing presence of cartels in Canada, and the challenges posed by Canada’s legal system in addressing transnational threats. Katarina also shares details about her new work in investigative journalism, focused on exposing organized crime and cartel operations. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Watch Borderland: DISPATCHES everywhere you get your podcasts and on Youtube @thisisironclad starting May 20th. SPONSORS: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince welcomes back crime analyst and journalist Chris Dalby to examine how economic policies like tariffs can unintentionally empower cartels. They unpack the evolving tactics of criminal networks, explore how legitimate industries become entangled in illicit operations, and assess how U.S.-Mexico relations influence crime on both sides of the border. Chris also introduces listeners to the rise of Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang expanding rapidly across the Americas—and offers a preview of his upcoming book, which exposes the group's global footprint and strategic approach to recruitment and expansion. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS:  1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince welcomes back former ATF Deputy Assistant Director and Operation Fast and Furious whistleblower, Pete Forcelli, to discuss Project Thor. Project Thor was a multi-agency initiative led by the ATF from 2018 to 2020, designed to disrupt the illegal flow of firearms from the U.S. to Mexican cartels. It targeted trafficking networks tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), using straw buyers, couriers, and financial investigations to cut off cartel access to weapons. The operation supported 76 cases and identified key trafficking routes—but despite its success, it was quietly defunded in 2022. Forcelli also shares insights on the internal politics of the ATF, the legal hurdles in prosecuting trafficking cases, and what the future holds for federal efforts to combat cartel-related violence. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money-back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To read a copy of the death investigation, CLICK: HERE In this episode of Borderland: NARCOSIS, Vince sits down with Jon Griggs to discuss an ongoing federal investigation into a cattle farm Ponzi scheme that has already been classified as fraud by the FBI. With a background in law enforcement, Griggs shares how the case began with inflated cattle counts and investor losses—but quickly revealed something much larger. As Griggs alleges, the scheme appears to be just one piece of a broader and more complex puzzle, potentially tied to a money laundering network connected to the CJNG (Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación) operating within the U.S. The conversation explores how banks may have unknowingly—or knowingly—facilitated these operations, the systemic failures that allowed the fraud to continue, and the emotional toll on victims. Griggs also talks about the fear of retaliation, missed warning signs, and the ongoing effort to trace the full scope of the operation. BORDERLAND is an IRONCLAD Original Borderland Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-narcosis-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=8a5eb53e12b74e3a SPONSORS: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Ray Donovan, former DEA Chief of Operations with more than 26 years of experience targeting global criminal organizations. Together, they unpack what the FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) designation could mean for China and Chinese organized crime, examine the rise of black market marijuana in the U.S., and discuss whether legalization could help dismantle the illicit trade.Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original SPONSORS: 1stPhormvisit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderlandFree shipping through this link on any orders over $75Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase)110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%!Watch Change Agents: Black Project, a 4 part mini series, weekly on Tuesdays or Binge all 4 episodes of now by becoming a member on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Brent Tucker, a former Green Beret and Delta Force operator with over 20 years of experience in U.S. Special Operations.They discuss what a U.S. military response to the cartels could look like, including the use of drone warfare, urban combat tactics, and cross-border operations. Brent also shares insights on corruption in Mexico, risk aversion in military leadership, and how special operations units assess threats in complex environments.SPONSORS: 1stPhormvisit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderlandFree shipping through this link on any orders over $75Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase)110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices