Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

On today's episode, Vince sits down with journalist, writer, producer, and podcast host Ioan Grillo.Ioan has been covering the drug cartels in Latin America since 2001, and has recently been on the grounds in Sinaloa, Mexico covering the brutal civil war that has broken out since El Mayo's arrest between two factions of the cartel -- the Mayos and the Chapitos.He is also the author of three books: Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels, Gangster Warlords: Drug Dollars, Killing Fields, and the New Politics in Latin America, and El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency He continually publishes about cartels and Narco politics on his Substack, CrashOutMedia, and is the host of the CrimeWar podcast. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:EPISODE 4: THE ULTRA-VIOLENT RISE AND DRAMATIC FALL OF MS-13On the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, looks the ultra-violent rise -- and dramatic fall -- of MS1-3.Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=RFTRAILER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:EPISODE 3: CJNG: THE CARTEL IN AMERICA'S LIVING ROOMSOn the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, looks the CJNG (Jalisco New Generation Cartel) and the elaborate schemes they are perpetrating on elderly Americans.Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=RFTRAILER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:EPISODE 2: THE CULT OF SANTA MUERTEOn the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, takes a deep dive into the Santa Muerte religious movement.Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=RFEP2AD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 4-PART BORDERLAND SPECIAL SERIES:REASONABLE FEAR EPISODE 1: MISSING AND MURDERED WOMEN AND GIRLS OF JUAREZOn the southern border, there is a legal concept known as “reasonable fear.” If an asylum officer determines that a migrant has a “reasonable fear of persecution or torture” if returned to their home country, then removal procedures can be delayed. And, in the current border crisis, there’s been no greater source of “reasonable fear” cases than the Mexican drug cartels and organized crime. In each episode we take a deep dive into the border crisis to find the primary players behind the violence, the scope of these transnational criminal enterprises, and the state of the narco wars.In this episode, host Vince ‘Rocoo’ Vargas, takes a deep dive into the missing and murdered women of Juárez.Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=RFTRAILER Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catch Borderland: REASONABLE FEAR, a 4-part docuseries starting on September 24th.REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for Pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=BL916YT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Borderland, Vince sits down with former DEA Chief of Operations, Ray Donovan, to break down the connection between China and Mexico in the fentanyl trade. They talk about how Chinese suppliers are fueling Mexican cartels with the chemicals needed to make fentanyl, and the challenges that come with taking on this deadly international pipeline.Catch Borderland: REASONABLE FEAR, a 4-part docuseries starting on September 24th.REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for Pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/secBorderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with New York Post reporter, Jennie Taer. For most of her career, Jennie has been reporting on activities at the Southern border. More recently, she has been covering the surge in illegal Venezuelan migration, including the growing presence of individuals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang -- a gang that has caused a surge in violence acts against American law enforcement. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with former CIA Intelligence Officer, Andrew Bustamante. Andrew is known for his expertise in espionage, international relations, and leadership. He is founder of Everyday Spy, a platform that teaches the application of spy tactics in everyday life to improve decision-making, personal security, and strategic thinking. He is also the host of the Everyday Spy podcast and Youtube channel @Andrew-Bustamante Want to learn more from Andy?Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/Borderland Follow Andy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-BustamanteExplore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/Join the podcast: https://youtube.com/@EverydaySpyPodcast Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with former Mexican law enforcement officer and security consultant, Ed Calderon. Born in Tijuana, Ed spent years in law enforcement with an operations group specializing in counternarcotics, anti-abduction, and high-risk close protection for high-profile individuals. He has consulted and trained federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, BORTAC, Indonesian Kopaska, and intelligence service agents on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border. Ed also hosts the Manifesto Radio Podcast. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices