Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

IRONCLAD
  • 4.7 (96)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
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. 5D AGO

    Massive Texas Church-Linked Smuggling Ring Caught at Eagle Pass Checkpoint— Federal Seizure

    On this episode, Vince speaks with Alex Szinnyev, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and security professional with 13 years of experience in military service, government contracting, executive protection, and weapons instruction. In July, Alex is scheduled to face trial for human smuggling charges after a transport operation he believed was affiliated with a church turned out to involve undocumented migrants. Alex shares his account of what happened—how he was contacted, what he was told, and why he believed the operation was legitimate. He says those who recruited him claimed to be moving refugees and even provided church references and documentation. According to Alex, he later learned that some of the individuals involved in organizing the transport had previously worked under Operation Lone Star—the controversial Texas state initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration. He discusses the confusion this created, the legal jeopardy he's now facing, and the personal and professional fallout, including the loss of his career, security clearance, and the impact on his family and future. To support Alex, visit: https://linktr.ee/fortressnotafelon and https://www.givesendgo.com/fightingforAlex 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%! 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

    54 min

  2. JUN 30

    “I Resigned Over the Corruption” — Ex-CDCR Lieutenant on California Prison Gangs, Cartels & the Crisis

    On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former California corrections lieutenant Hector Bravo to break down what he says is a growing crisis inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).Bravo, who served 16 years in the system, alleges how shifts in policy—including the “Agreement to End Hostilities” and the merging of general population with protective custody inmates—have led to rising violence, weakened accountability, and expanded control by organized gangs and cartels.The conversation covers the so-called “72-hour rule,” increased attacks on correctional staff, and how political agendas may be driving dangerous decisions at the top. Bravo also shares his personal experience walking away from a career in corrections after witnessing what he describes as a culture of silence and self-preservation at the expense of safety.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%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min

  3. JUN 23

    How a CIA Operative Got Inside Cartel Money Laundering Rings

    On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Matthew Hedger—a former CIA operative and intelligence advisor with extensive experience in undercover operations and transnational criminal investigations. Matthew shares his background working under non-official cover, infiltrating criminal organizations, and gathering intelligence on illicit finance networks. He discusses how cartels move money through cryptocurrency, art, and other unconventional methods, and outlines the risks faced by undercover operatives. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of money laundering and its broader impact on law enforcement and national security. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. 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 Presented By: 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%! Sponsor: 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

    1h 1m

  4. JUN 16

    CJNG: The Next ISIS? Ex-Special Forces, China Threat & More | Q&A with Vince and Katarina

    On today's episode, Vince and Borderland: Dispatches host Katarina Szulc answer audience questions about the state of cartel violence and U.S. border security. They explore comparisons between CJNG and terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, analyze whether Mexican cartels pose a greater long-term threat than China or Russia, and discuss common public misconceptions about cartel operations. 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%! 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

    1 hr

  5. JUN 13 · BONUS

    BONUS - The LA Protests: What's Really Happening (with Jorge Ventura)

    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

    12 min

  6. JUN 9

    The Global Drug Web: Sinaloa Submarines, Triads, and the Expanding Fentanyl Crisis from New Zealand to the Pacific

    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

    1 hr

  7. JUN 2

    Jason Owens on Serving as Border Patrol Chief Under Biden and Today’s Security Threats

    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

    1h 7m

  8. MAY 26

    How U.S. Bank Policy, A.I., and Canada’s Emerging Role Are Fueling the Cartel Economy (Steven Dudley Returns)

    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

    54 min
See All (83)

Trailers

4.7
out of 5
96 Ratings

About

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

Information

More From IRONCLAD

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada