Borderland: NARCOSIS with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

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Borderland: NARCOSIS with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

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. 3 DAYS AGO

    How Cartels Actually Operate in America: Drug Trafficking, Sicario's, and High-Ranking Members

    On today's episode, Vince sits down with Pierre Rausini. Pierre Rausini is an author and former Los Angeles kingpin. He was charged with operating a criminal enterprise under the Federal Drug Kingpin Statute and prosecuted for participating in wide-ranging drug conspiracies. Rausini's extensive history of drug trafficking in Southern California throughout the 1990s involved direct collaboration with high-level Sinaloa operatives who managed the cartel's American-based distribution network and its money laundering operation. This experience provided him with an intimate understanding of the cartel's logistics and operational strategies.   Rausini was released last year after serving twenty-six years in federal prison. His incarceration allowed him to live alongside and develop deep relationships with high-ranking members of both the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, including several of their drug lords. This unique position enabled him to gain profound insights into the mindset, decision-making process, and cultural dynamics of these individuals. Rausini's first-hand knowledge of how cartel leaders think and operate offers a level of insight that is simply unattainable through traditional intelligence-gathering methods. Rausini has been invited to speak before law enforcement groups as a subject-matter expert and he appears on social media, commenting on matters relating to drug trafficking, money laundering, and cartel intrigue.  To learn more about Pierre's story, check out: Devil Exposed: A Twisted Tale of Drug Trafficking, Corruption & Murder in the City of Angels Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 17m

  2. 6 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    BONUS: Cartel De Noreste’s PR Stunt, Trump’s Pressure on Sheinbaum, and and Cartels on the Northern Border (Katarina Szulc Returns)

    On this bonus episode, Vince welcomes back Katarina Szulc to discuss the recent propaganda video from Cartel De Noreste, claiming to reject violence while continuing their criminal activities. They dive into Trump’s pressure on Claudia Sheinbaum to combat cartels and examine the cartel networks at the Northern border. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    55 min

  3. FEB 10

    New Era of Cartel War: 10,000 Troops Deployed, Drone Attacks & Sinaloa Cartel Collapse (Ed Calderon Returns)

    On today's episode, Vince welcomes back security expert and former Mexican law enforcement officer Ed Calderon to discuss Claudia Sheinbaum’s decision to send 10,000 Mexican troops to the U.S. border. They also explore the implications of this move, the response from Mayo Zambada and the Sinaloa Cartel, and how it may affect cartel operations. The conversation also covers perspectives from Mexican citizens and cartel members on Donald Trump and how his policies influence dynamics at the border. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min

  4. FEB 3

    The Cartel War Just Changed: What the FTO Label Means for Mexico and America

    On today’s episode, Vince sits down with investigative journalist Katarina Szulc to discuss the escalating cartel violence in Mexico and the impact of the U.S. officially designating cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). To read more of Katarina's work check out: https://katarinaszulc.substack.com/about IG: @KatarinaSzulc X: @KatarinaSzulc Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    58 min

  5. TRAILER

    Borderland: Narcosis Trailer

    Last season, we took you to the frontlines of the border crisis. We dug into the brutal realities behind immigration—the policies, the fears, and the human toll it takes on individuals and communities. That was just the beginning. Now, we’re going deeper.  We’re pulling back the curtain on the ruthless forces that drive mass migration - organized crime.  On the new season of Borderland, NARCOSIS We’ll take an even closer look at the institutions, criminal forces, drugs, and operations that are driving mass migration from regions torn apart by unprecedented violence and corruption. We’re not just talking about the cartels. We’re showing you the inner workings of these criminal empires and the power they hold over entire regions.  Catch the new season of Borderland: Narcosis everywhere you get your podcasts and on Youtube @thisisironclad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3 min

  6. JAN 27

    Former Drug Trafficker Details Life Working for the Cartels (with Luis "El Senador" Navia and Jesse Fink)

    On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Luis Navia, a former Cuban-American drug trafficker who played a central role in the international cocaine trade for over 25 years, and Jesse Fink, the author who chronicled Luis’s story. Born in Cuba, Luis fled to Miami with his family after Castro’s takeover in 1959. Raised in privilege, he attended private schools and Georgetown University before becoming involved in drug trafficking in the 1970s. Known in South American cocaine circles as “El Senador,” Luis worked with powerful cartels, including Escobar’s Medellín cartel, the Cali cartel, and Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles, building extensive smuggling networks across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. In 2000, Luis was arrested in a global operation that involved the DEA, FBI, and Colombian authorities. After being held accountable for over 10 tons of cocaine, he cooperated with U.S. authorities, providing critical information on cartel operations and serving five years in prison. Together, Luis and Jesse share insights into the dangerous world of drug trafficking, the decisions that led to Luis’s rise and fall, and the lessons learned along the way. To find out more about Luis's story, check out Jesse Fink's book: Pure Narco: One Man's True Story of 25 Years Inside the Cartels Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 8m

  7. JAN 20

    Q&A: What’s Next in the Drug War in Light of the New Administration

    On today's episode, Vince responds to audience questions and comments, discussing the future of the war on drugs, the role of mass deportations, and the impact of drug legalization. He also shares insights on what the incoming administration’s policies could mean for the fight against cartels and border security. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 3m

  8. JAN 13

    NewsNation’s Jorge Ventura: What’s Next for the Border, Cartels, and Mass Deportations

    On today’s episode, Vince sits down with NewsNation’s Jorge Ventura to explore his career reporting on the U.S.-Mexico border, including firsthand accounts of covering cartel operations. They dive into what changes could unfold as the Trump administration takes office on January 20th, discussing the potential for mass deportations and the future of border enforcement Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: Betterhelp Visit BetterHelp.com/borderland today to get 10% off your first month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 2m
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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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