Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

In this episode, Jim Adams, the marshal of the historic Tombstone, Arizona, shares gripping insights into the town's role as a hotspot for smuggling. He discusses the alarming rise in juvenile participation in drug trafficking, often lured in by cartels through social media. Jim also highlights the unexpected encounters of Uber Eats drivers transporting migrants, blending humor with the harsh realities of border dynamics. The conversation delves into the increasing humanitarian crises tied to cartel activities and the challenges faced by local law enforcement.

In today's episode of Borderland, Vince talks to Chris Dalby, a journalist and expert on the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Chris dives deep into the CJNG's nuanced media tactics and how they use it to spread misinformation about their operations within Mexico and the United States. Chris Dalby is the author of CJNG: A Quick Guide to Mexico's Deadliest Cartel and currently the director of the World of Crime Think Tank. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Borderland, Vince talks to San Diego native Cory Gautereaux. Cory shares his experiences walking along the San Diego Southern border, where he has collected hundreds of abandoned IDs left behind by migrants crossing the border. More recently, he made the startling discovery of an abandoned iPhone, which he was able to unlock, revealing a trove of conversations between smugglers and migrants. Cory's mission is help stop trafficking along the border, which he has witnessed. If you'd like to support Cory's efforts, check out his non-profit The GOAT Initiative. The GOAT Initiative: "The specific purpose of this corporation is to combat human trafficking along the United States/Mexico border through comprehensive intelligence gathering and strategic collaboration. We aim to protect vulnerable communities by providing real-time intelligence to law enforcement, dismantling trafficking networks, and advocating for impactful policy reforms. With a steadfast commitment to human rights and dignity, we strive to foster a future free from exploitation and to form cooperative relationships with the community and contribute to other 501(c)(3) to carry on other charitable and public activities associated with this goal as allowed by law. " thegoatinitiative.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the days following the recent presidential debate, Borderland host and BORSTAR veteran Vince Vargas broke down both candidates’ positions and statements about the immigration crisis. Here’s his thoughts on the statements made both by Biden and Trump. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Today's Borderland, Vince sits down with investigative journalist Madeleine Rowley to discuss her recent article Nonprofits Are Making Billions off the Border Crisis . She exposes the billions of dollars NGOs are being granted from the Federal government due to the record-setting influx of immigrants into America. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expert Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera explores the evolution of Los Zetas from military roots to criminal powerhouse. Discussion on cartel complexities and their transformation into legitimate businesses. Insights into Mexico's violent landscape, transnational implications, and challenges under a new president. Book launch celebrating the beauty of the US-Mexico border.

Today on Borderland, Vince is joined by former border patrol agent and ICE Director, Tom Homan. Tom joined the Immigration and Naturalization Service in 1984, later becoming a Border Patrol agent. He was then appointed by President Obama as Executive Associate Director of ICE in 2011. He received the Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive in 2015. Finally, in 2017, he was appointed acting director of ICE by President Trump before retiring in June of 2018. Sponsors: This 4th of July, make Horizon part of your celebration. Don’t miss HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA, with Chapter One in theaters June 28th and Chapter Two in theaters August 16th.  Join the Frontier Pass at Fandango.com for exclusive content and tickets. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Borderland, Vince talks to renowned journalist, Luis Chaparro. Luis is based on the U.S./Mexico border, and has over 15 years of experience in reporting on Mexican organized crime. He has extensively covered drug cartels, detailing their operations, leadership, and societal impact. He has interviewed fentanyl dealers and human smugglers, and his reporting also highlights the hardships faced by migrants traveling through Mexico, including encounters with human traffickers and corrupt officials. Follow Luis on IG: IG: https://www.instagram.com/luiskuryaki/?hl=en Follow Luis on X: https://x.com/LuisKuryaki?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor This 4th of July, make Horizon part of your celebration. Don’t miss HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA, with Chapter One in theaters June 28th and Chapter Two in theaters August 16th.  Join the Frontier Pass at Fandango.com for exclusive content and tickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Borderland, Vince discusses the terrorist threats at the Southern border with former CIA Intelligence Analyst and Targeter, Sarah Adams. From 2015-2017, Sarah served as the Senior Advisor to the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Benghazi. She also served overseas on behalf of the U.S. Government’s intelligence mission in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. She is the co-author of The Benghazi Committee Report: Proposed Report of the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi and the author of Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince continues to dive deeper into the cases of deported veterans with guests Alex Murillo and Livier "Livvy" Lazaro. Alex Murillo, a Navy veteran and son of Mexican immigrants, was brought to the U.S. as a toddler and served two tours in Iraq as a jet mechanic. After returning home in 2000, he struggled with PTSD and civilian life, leading to a 2009 conviction for marijuana possession with intent to distribute. Deported to Mexico in 2011, he was separated from his family of four but was allowed to return to the U.S. in 2022. Now, he seeks to assist other deported veterans. Livier "Livvy" Lazaro, a first-generation Mexican American, joined the military at 17 and served as an Army Combat medic in Iraq during the 2003 invasion and again in 2007. She retired as Sergeant First Class after 20 years and became the first female Commander of VFW Post 7420 in San Diego. As part of the VFW, a nonprofit veterans service organization, Livvy played a key role in passing a national directive to help bring home deported veterans. Follow VFW Post 7420 at https://www.instagram.com/vfwpost7420/?hl=en Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices