Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

IRONCLAD
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New Episodes Every Monday. An unfiltered look at real stories from America's Southern Border. Each week, special operations combat veteran, actor, writer, and veteran BORSTAR Agent Vincent “Rocco” Vargas sits down with guests to discuss the ruthless forces driving mass migration—organized crime. This season, Borderland: Narcosis takes an unfiltered look at the criminal networks fueling the crisis, from human trafficking and the drug trade to extortion and corruption embedded at every level of society. An IRONCLAD Original

  1. 4D AGO

    The Strategy to Target Mexico’s Most Powerful Cartel Leaders (Pierre Rausini Returns)

    On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Pierre Rausini to break down a reported U.S. covert strategy, ‘Operation Seattle,’ putting pressure on Mexico’s cartels, political elites, and financial networks. They go inside the complex web of cartel power, money laundering, and U.S. leverage in Latin America. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:41) The Effects of the Events in Venezuela on the Drug Trade (13:31) Reported Agreement B/T Trump and Sheimbaum to Take Down Cartel Leaders (14:26) Leaked Information of Operation Sierra (15:46) Why Taking Out Kingpins Doesn't Work as a Strategy (17:32) Targeting Money Launderers Is the Key to Disrupting Drug Trade (28:43 ) How Targeting Narco Tunnels Works (33:32) Targeting Tunnel Chokepoints and Not Shipments to Disrupt Operations (40:45) Tactics of Tractor Trailer Operations vs. Tunnels (57:54) The Plaza System - How Narco Tax Collectors Work (01:07:42) What Drug World Could Look Like in 5 Years Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Subscribe to Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/target-intelligence-psyop-with-shawn-ryan/id1872168845 Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 22m

  2. FEB 9

    Mexican Military or CJNG? Armed Men Cross the San Diego Border

    On today's episode, journalist Hels Goethe joins Borderland to discuss reporting from the San Diego–Mexico border, including open corridors, cartel smuggling routes, and footage showing armed men in Mexican military-style uniforms crossing into the U.S., with questions over whether they were Mexican military or CJNG impersonators. They also examine how border intelligence is collected on the ground, the challenges of identification and repatriation, and how global actors — including China — intersect with border security issues. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:25) Illegal Crossings, Abandoned IDs at San Diego Border (02:27) Mexican Military or CJNG? (10:24) Evidence of Crossings the Government is Missing (18:41) Armed Men Crossed Same Day as Ryan Wedding Arrest (20:25) Venezuela, China, and Russia (27:51) The Language of the media and Politics (33:16) How ICE's Mission has Evolved (40:38) Humor in Government Agencies' Social Accounts (49:36) The Threat of Terror Cells in the US (50:23) China as the most dangerous country to the US Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Subscribe to Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/target-intelligence-psyop-with-shawn-ryan/id1872168845 Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min

  3. FEB 2

    How a Cartel Gold Mine Was Taken Back — What It Reveals About Mexico’s Drug War

    On today’s episode, Vince sits down with investigative journalist Steve Fisher, based in Mexico City, to discuss organized crime and security in Mexico. They examine Fisher’s reporting on a cartel-controlled gold mine in Sonora, U.S.–Mexico security cooperation, recent extraditions, cartel power shifts, and the evolving tactics shaping today’s drug war. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (04:21) - How a Cartel Gold Mine was Reclaimed (17:25)- Why Cartels Maintain Power in Mexico (19:50) - Mexico’s Most Recent Extraditions of Cartel Leaders to US (23:38) - President Sheimbaum’s Approach to Cartels and US Relations (32:12) - Cartels as Integrated Ecomomic and Social Entities (39:48) - The US’s Role and Responsibility in Drug Trafficking Networks (44:35) - Drone Warfare: Cartels’ Most Intimidating Tactic (47:56) - From Special Forces to Training to El Mencho and CJNG’s Evolution Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min

  4. JAN 26

    Kentucky’s CJNG Money Laundering Network - The Money Trail Gets Deeper (Jon Griggs Returns)

    On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Jon Griggs for an update on the CJNG-linked investigation in Kentucky. Jon shares newly discussed details, including alleged money laundering between $4–$10 billion, U.S.-based shell companies, Florida real estate, and international ties. Reported local payments exceeding $200 million and political connections are also examined. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Disclaimer: Listen to Jon’s first episode to catch up on the full story: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-narcosis-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324?i=1000705242380 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fYE3xf5YgRxNKaBdN5GiU?si=588f3010be204a9a Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (03:38) $10 Billion Money Trail (8:24) Unmasking Shell Companies and Florida Properties (11:58) Torture, Crypto King, and Potential Child Trafficking Victim (17:04) Pre-textural Stops, Political Ties, Unanswered Calls to the AG (25:00) Police and Politicians Possibly Implicated in Money Laundering (32:09) From Dubai to China: The Global Crime Network Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  5. JAN 19

    Venezuelan Dissident Speaks Out: The Fragile Regime, Foreign Influence, & What Maduro’s Capture Means

    On today's episode, Vince speaks with Venezuelan actor and journalist Guillermo Garcia about Venezuela’s political and humanitarian crisis, life under Chávez and Maduro, and the impact of Nicolás Maduro’s capture. Guillermo shares firsthand insight into how the moment is being received by Venezuelans inside and outside the country, along with the broader role of foreign influence and ongoing political polarization. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:01) Journalism Suppression in Venezuela (03:08)The Shocking Reactions to Capture of Maduro (10:16)Suffering in Venezuela (12:01)The Collapse of the Venezuela Economy (15:19) Human Rights Violations in Venezuela (17:21) What Comes Next for the People of Venezuela (21:10) Watching Maduro's Capture in Real Time (27:53) The Election That Was Stolen (32:58) There are People Worse than Maduro in Venezuela (37:12)America's Division is Deep (40:52) Maduro is gone, but the regime remains SPONSORS: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  6. JAN 12

    Maduro Captured: Inside the U.S. Direct Action Mission That Shook Venezuela (Ed Calderon Returns)

    On today's episode, Vince Vargas and Ed Calderon break down the recent capture of Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. mission behind it, and the implications for cartels, global powers, and Latin America. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (03:00) - Maduro's Capture and the Aftermath (14:00) - Taking a "Ghost Fleet" Ship (16:45) - American's Threats (27:00) - The Venezuelan Regime Members Still in Power (40:00) - Additional Targets for Military Action (51:00) - Direct Action Against Mexico Coming in the Cartel Wars Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Visit https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland for Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 GHOSTBED:  Go to GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at norwoodsawmills.com.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m

  7. JAN 5

    After Venezuela Is Mexico Next? China’s Alliance with Cartels Could Spark Strikes (Jorge Ventura)

    NOTE: This interview was recorded several days prior to the U.S. operation to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, in which investigative journalist Jorge Ventura predicted would soon happen and possibly set a further precedent for military operations in Mexico.  In a shocking new interview with Vincent "Rocco" Vargas on Borderland: Narcosis, investigative journalist and filmmaker Jorge Ventura reveals alliances between the CCP and Mexican cartels to smuggle Chinese operatives into the U.S. Borderland: Narcosis is an IRONCLAD Original Follow Jorge on X: https://x.com/VenturaReport 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    A Whistleblower Details Extortion Inside Mexico’s Cattle Economy

    On today's episode, Vince sits down with Manuel Núñez, founder of Palente Mexico, a cattle exporting company operating in one of the most complex and high-risk agricultural environments in the country. Manuel shares firsthand insight into how extortion operates within Mexico’s cattle industry, including how criminal organizations pressure buyers and producers through illegal payment demands. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1st Phorm: Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min
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New Episodes Every Monday. An unfiltered look at real stories from America's Southern Border. Each week, special operations combat veteran, actor, writer, and veteran BORSTAR Agent Vincent “Rocco” Vargas sits down with guests to discuss the ruthless forces driving mass migration—organized crime. This season, Borderland: Narcosis takes an unfiltered look at the criminal networks fueling the crisis, from human trafficking and the drug trade to extortion and corruption embedded at every level of society. An IRONCLAD Original

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