207 B 25TH STREET, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23451 / +1 (757) 963-9439 / INFO@THISISIRONCLAD.COM
BORDERLAND / VINCENT "ROCCO" VARGAS
AN UNFILTERED LOOK AT REAL STORIES FROM AMERICA’S SOUTHERN BORDER
Trailer: Borderland w Vincent "Rocco" Vargas
America’s southern border has become the epicenter of issues that will likely decide America’s next presidential election. On the IRONCLAD original, Borderland, audiences go beyond the politics to hear real stories shaping perceptions, policies, and communities on the U.S./Mexico border.
Each week, special operations combat veteran, actor, writer, and veteran BORSTAR Agent Vincent “Rocco” Vargas sits down with guests to discuss a different issue — and new stories — that shape our understanding of the area and the people who live, work, and travel to the U.S./Mexico border. From cartel violence and human trafficking, to migrant rescue operations and new laws and policies, audiences get a unique look that goes beyond the headlines.
Those Shady Gas Station Super Drugs Are an Op Targeting Americans: Ex-CIA Paramilitary Blue Badger
On today's episode, Vince sits down with Rob Dyer, former Marine and CIA paramilitary officer, to uncover a $10B gray-market plant product — a potent kratom derivative called 7-hydroxy (7-OH). This compound comes from the kratom leaf and is chemically enhanced to deliver a stronger, opioid-like effect. They break down the CCP’s potential role, shadowy companies, and legal loopholes fueling this hidden industry few Americans know about.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
To purchase Borderland Merch, visit: https://thisisironclad.com/collections/borderland
Sponsors:
1stPhorm
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
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
CJNG Killing of Mayor Carlos Manzo Ignites NEXT PHASE of Cartel War | Ioan Grillo
On today's episode, Vince talks with journalist Ioan Grillo about the targeting of an outspoken Mexican mayor by the CJNG cartel and their police force infiltrations. They discuss how cartel violence and extortion are worsening across Mexico, the risks faced by leaders who speak out, and the growing unrest sparked by these attacks.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
1stPhorm
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
Mizzen and Main
Mizzen and Main
Black Friday Deal: Score 25% off at Mizzen & Main with code IRONCLAD20!
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
ESCALATION: CJNG Kills Mayor Who Fought Back I Terror Spreads After Death of Carlos Manzo
On this week's episode of Borderland Narcosis, Vince talks with journalist Ioan Grillo about the targeting of an outspoken Mexican mayor by the CJNG cartel and their police force inflitrations. They discuss how cartel violence and extortion are worsening across Mexico, the risks faced by leaders who speak out, and the growing unrest sparked by these attacks.
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
Inside the Sinaloa Cartel’s Silent Invasion of Montana: A Hidden War on American Soil
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former DEA senior agent Stacy Zinn, who led major anti-cartel operations in Montana, to discuss the growing presence of organized crime in the state and its impact on local communities.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Buy Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: http://psyopshow.com/
Sponsors:
1stPhorm
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
Inside the Sinaloa Cartel’s Silent Invasion of Montana
On this week's episode, Vince sits down with former DEA senior agent Stacy Zinn, who led major anti-cartel operations in Montana, to discuss the growing presence of organized crime in the state and its impact on local communities.
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
Venezuela Trigger: Ed Calderón Exposes Future Military Action & Next Phase of America’s Cartel War
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back Ed Calderon to unpack the escalating tactics of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Tijuana, including a recent drone attack near the US-Mexico border. Ed also breaks down the international arms networks supplying these cartels and explains how geopolitical factors, including Venezuela’s role, influence the narco war moving north.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
1stPhorm
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
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
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:30 Tijuana's Recent Drone Attacks
4:00 Cartel Alliances and Power Shifts
7:45 Cutting-Edge Cartel Technology
11:20 US-Mexico Relations: A Complex Web
15:00 The Global Arms Trafficking Network
19:30 Venezuela: A Brewing Conflict?
23:45 Corruption Challenges in Law Enforcement
28:10 Cartel Impact on Local Economies
32:30 Strategic Insights for the Future
37:00 Cartel Influence on Community Life
41:15 Economic Ties Between the US and Mexico
45:00 The Global Drug Trade Landscape
“Venezuela Is the Trial Run—The Real Fight Is Coming” — Ed Calderón Warns of Future Military Action
Former Mexican law enforcement officer Ed Calderón returns to Borderland to break down the next phase of cartel warfare. From CJNG’s weaponized drone swarms to the rise of armed child recruits in rural Mexico, Calderón explains how cartels are evolving into paramilitary forces — and what that means for the U.S. as violence creeps closer to the border.
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
Former FBI Agent Reveals 23 Years Deep Inside the Cartels' Smuggling Cocaine
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former FBI agent Martin Suarez, who spent 23 years undercover inside Colombian cartels. Joined by Ian Frisch, co-author of his memoir "Inside the Cartel: How an Undercover FBI Agent Smuggled Cocaine, Laundered Cash, and Dismantled a Colombian Narco-Empire," Martin reveals how he smuggled cocaine, laundered millions, and ultimately helped expose the Black Market Peso Exchange—the secret financial network used by cartels, banks, and corporations to move drug money.
To purchase Martin's memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Cartel-Undercover-Laundered-Dismantled/dp/0063354012
Buy Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: http://psyopshow.com/
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
1stPhorm
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
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
DEEP UNDERCOVER: How the FBI Infiltrates Cartels Using Their Own Tactics | Official Trailer
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former FBI agent Martin Suarez. For 23 years, Martin lived undercover inside Colombian cartels. Joined by Ian Frisch, who co-wrote his memoir Inside the Cartel: How an Undercover FBI Agent Smuggled Cocaine, Laundered Cash, and Dismantled a Colombian Narco-Empire, Martin reflects on the psychological toll of undercover work, the art of gaining a cartel’s trust, and the scale of drug trafficking. This conversation also exposes the realities of the drug trade, and why America’s approach to the war on drugs remains a challenge.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
1stPhorm
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.
The Cartel’s PsyOp Playbook: $50K ICE Agent Bounties, Drone Kill Teams, and a Popeyes Tunnel
On today’s episode, Vince and Katarina address listener questions on the complex realities shaping the border. They examine how communication gaps between Border Patrol, local sheriffs, and state authorities are affecting enforcement, the growing presence of cartel safe houses inside the U.S., and the role of psychological operations in modern conflicts. The conversation also explores claims of cartel members training abroad, bounties on CBP personnel, and the extent to which U.S. policy and demand contribute to cartel power.
Sponsors:
1stPhorm
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
Marek Health
Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout.
The Rise of South America's Deadliest Cartel War Zone: Super-Trafficking Network w/Jaeson Jones
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back border expert Jaeson Jones to explore the evolving security landscape in Mexico. Jaeson shares his firsthand experiences embedding with Mexican forces and details how intelligence-led operations and the integration of the National Guard have contributed to a 32% reduction in homicides under the Scheinbaum administration.
They discuss Operation Northern Border, the strategic dismantling of cartel infrastructure, and the rise of South American cartels attempting to exploit gaps in Mexico’s drug trade. Jaeson also examines the global nature of smuggling, the challenges posed by outdated laws, and the critical role of collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico.
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%!
TacPack
Visit http://www.TacPack.com
and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift
DeleteMe
Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or scan the QR code
Marek Health
Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout.
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
How Cartels Actually Operate in Venezuela: America’s War, Government-Collapse & Synthetic Drug War
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Pierre Rausini to uncover how drug trafficking, money laundering, and geopolitics collide. They break down Venezuela’s transformation into a trafficker’s haven, the Cartel de Soles’ shadow role within the Venezuelan state, and how synthetic opioids dominate the market. The conversation digs into the sophisticated financial networks that keep cartels alive, the U.S. government’s efforts to disrupt them, and the global power plays that shape who profits and who falls.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland
Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100
Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase)
TRIGGERED: Zambada’s Deal Detonates Cartel Collapse—Venezuelan Strike & Sheinbaum’s Silence
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back investigative journalist Katarina Szulc to discuss the latest news around the world of drug cartels and organized crime. They cover recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, cartel operations in Mexico, and the rise of human trafficking. Katarina shares her reporting experiences, including a story about the trafficking of young pregnant women in Juarez. The episode examines the challenges of reporting on organized crime and the broader implications for international security and human rights.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland
Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100
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%!
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
INSIDE the Cartel’s Control of Northern California — Mendocino County’s Role in U.S. Trafficking
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Johnny Mitchell, comedian, former trafficker, and host of The Connect with Johnny Mitchell, to go inside the world of drug trafficking and organized crime. Johnny shares his firsthand experiences running operations and embedding with cartel members and sicarios, offering rare insight into how these organizations operate daily. They discuss the evolving global drug market, including California weed being trafficked south, the structure and strategies of cartels, and the cultural and economic factors that sustain them. The conversation also explores the societal impact of the drug trade and the potential effects of legalization and regulation.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
To find more about The Connect with Johnny Mitchell: https://www.youtube.com/@theconnectpod
Sponsors:
visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland
Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100
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%!
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
#CartelShift #JohnnyMitchell #TheConnect #SinaloaCartel #CJNG #CartelPower #DrugWar #BorderlandNarcosis #CartelTruth #NarcoWars #USBorderCrisis #CartelInfluence #OrganizedCrime #CartelLogistics #ExTrafficker
The DEADLIEST Military Drug Cover-Up: INSIDE The Delta Force's Cartel Connection
In this episode, Vince speaks with investigative journalist Seth Harp, author of Fort Bragg Cartel. Harp shares his reporting on the murder of two soldiers at Fort Bragg, the involvement of Delta Force, and the broader history of drug trafficking within the U.S. military. Their conversation explores how cartel ties have affected bases from Fort Bragg to Fort Hood, the toll of drug-related deaths and suicides, and the systemic challenges these cases reveal.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland
Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100
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%!
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
The Fort Bragg Cartel: Inside A Special Operations Drug Pipeline | Official Trailer
In this episode, Vince speaks with investigative journalist Seth Harp, author of Fort Bragg Cartel. Harp shares his reporting on the murder of two soldiers at Fort Bragg, the involvement of Delta Force, and the broader history of drug trafficking within the U.S. military. Their conversation explores how cartel ties have affected bases from Fort Bragg to Fort Hood, the toll of drug-related deaths and suicides, and the systemic challenges these cases reveal.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland
Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100
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%!
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
INSIDE Venezuela’s DEADLIEST Militarized Cartel: How Cartel de los Soles Targets America
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Wesley Tabor, a former DEA agent and CIA assignee with over two decades of experience tracking transnational criminal networks. Together, they uncover the hidden power of the Cartel de los Soles, a Venezuelan syndicate that operates at the intersection of organized crime and geopolitics. Wesley explains how the cartel’s deep ties to Venezuela’s military and political elite fuel corruption, enable drug trafficking, and attract the influence of foreign governments like China, Russia, and Iran.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
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%!
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
INSIDE the Collapse: Trump’s War on Cartels Enters War Phase—Mayo Zambada’s Deal Detonates Sinaloa
On this week’s episode, Vince talks with Stefano Ritondale, a military intelligence veteran and journalist behind @AllSourceNews, about the changing landscape of organized crime. The episode covers the fragmentation of the Sinaloa cartel, the impact of Mayo Zambada’s upcoming plea deal, and what it could reveal about political corruption in Mexico and the United States.
Stefano also explains how cartels are using AI and drones, drawing comparisons to tactics seen in Ukraine, and discusses the growing role of Brazilian gangs in the global drug trade. The conversation explores how these developments affect U.S.–Mexico relations and international security.
Visit Stefano's Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/@allsourcenews?si=aCkzNeWv0o91OcnY
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%!
Mayo Zambada’s Deal Detonates Sinaloa—Trump’s War on Cartels Enters New Phase | Official Trailer
On this week’s episode, Vince talks with Stefano Ritondale, a military intelligence veteran and journalist behind @All_Source_News, about the changing landscape of organized crime. The episode covers the fragmentation of the Sinaloa cartel, the impact of Mayo Zambada’s upcoming plea deal, and what it could reveal about political corruption in Mexico and the United States.
Stefano also explains how cartels are using AI and drones, drawing comparisons to tactics seen in Ukraine, and discusses the growing role of Brazilian gangs in the global drug trade. The conversation explores how these developments affect U.S.–Mexico relations and international security.
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%!
INSIDE America's Deadliest Chinese Mafia Drug Network Operating in Maine | Borderland #91
On this week’s episode of Borderland: Narcosis, Vince sits down with Steve Robinson, investigative journalist and executive producer of the documentary High Crimes, to discuss his investigation into illegal marijuana grows in Maine. Robinson reveals how many of these operations are controlled by Chinese organized crime, exploiting loopholes in state cannabis laws and using dangerous pesticides that pose health risks. He also examines the connections between these grows, broader drug trafficking networks, political complicity, and the implications for local communities and U.S. national security.
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%!
America's Deadliest Chinese Mafia Drug Network Operating in Maine | Official Trailer
On this week’s episode of Borderland: Narcosis, Vince sits down with Steve Robinson, investigative journalist and executive producer of the documentary High Crimes, to discuss his investigation into illegal marijuana grows in Maine. Robinson reveals how many of these operations are controlled by Chinese organized crime, exploiting loopholes in state cannabis laws and using dangerous pesticides that pose health risks.
He also examines the connections between these grows, broader drug trafficking networks, political complicity, and the implications for local communities and U.S. national security.
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%!
The End of the Sinaloa Cartel?: America’s War That Will Decide the Future of Mexico
On this week’s episode, Vince welcomes back Jay Flores, a former cartel operative who worked directly for the Sinaloa Cartel, to break down the organization's current state and its shifting power structure. Drawing from his firsthand experience inside one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world, Jay discusses internal conflicts, the fallout from recent arrests, and how plea deals and cooperation with law enforcement are disrupting operations.
The conversation also explores how political corruption enables cartel activity and what the future may look like for drug trafficking in Mexico and beyond.
Since leaving cartel life, Jay has collaborated with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, sharing his knowledge to support anti-cartel efforts and educate the public on the inner workings of organized crime.
To learn more about Jay’s work, visit:
Website: https://kingpintoeducator.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingpintoeducator
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%!
Jay Flores Returns: The End of the Sinaloa Cartel? | Official Trailer
On this week’s episode, Vince welcomes cartel expert Jay Flores back to BORDERLAND to break down America’s escalating war on Mexico’s most feared criminal networks. They unpack the 29 high-value arrests shaking the Sinaloa Cartel, the stunning betrayal inside El Chapo’s bloodline, and how U.S. pressure is dismantling the cartel’s command structure piece by piece. Jay explains why these moves mark the final days of Sinaloa’s reign—and what comes next as the CJNG braces for the same fate.
The full episode drops tomorrow at 5PM EST.
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)
INSIDE The DEADLIEST CJNG Hijack Operation: Massive Armored Truck Raids Across Highway Kill Zones
On this week’s episode, Vince sits down with political risk analyst Nathaniel Parish Flannery to examine how organized crime and business intersect in Mexico. They discuss the rise of truck hijackings, how cartels influence local economies, and the risks companies face operating in high-conflict areas. Nathaniel also explains why understanding both business and criminal dynamics is key to making sense of Mexico’s paradox: a country that’s both a top exporter and home to some of the world’s most powerful criminal organizations.
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)
Mexico’s Highway Kill Zones: Paramilitary Cartel Ambush Units Hijack 60+ Trucks | Official Trailer
On this week’s episode, Vince sits down with political risk analyst Nathaniel Parish Flannery to examine how organized crime and business intersect in Mexico. They discuss the rise of truck hijackings, how cartels influence local economies, and the risks companies face operating in high-conflict areas. Nathaniel also explains why understanding both business and criminal dynamics is key to making sense of Mexico’s paradox: a country that’s both a top exporter and home to some of the world’s most powerful criminal organizations.
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%!
INSIDE Canada's Most Violent Cartels: Sinaloa & CJNG's Massive Vancouver Operation w/Sam Cooper
On this week’s episode, Vince talks to Canadian investigative journalist Sam Cooper about how Canada has quietly become a key hub for transnational organized crime. Cooper explains how Chinese triads, Mexican cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG, and other international networks use Canadian real estate, casinos, and financial systems to launder money and move narcotics. They discuss how encrypted apps, legal loopholes, and limited enforcement have enabled these operations to expand with little resistance. The conversation also explores concerns around foreign interference, national security, and what this means for both U.S. and Canadian border policy.
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)
Canada's Most Violent Cartels: Sinaloa & CJNG's Massive Vancouver Operations | Official Trailer
On this week’s episode, Vince talks to Canadian investigative journalist Sam Cooper about how Canada has quietly become a key hub for transnational organized crime. Cooper explains how Chinese triads, Mexican cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG, and other international networks use Canadian real estate, casinos, and financial systems to launder money and move narcotics. They discuss how encrypted apps, legal loopholes, and limited enforcement have enabled these operations to expand with little resistance. The conversation also explores concerns around foreign interference, national security, and what this means for both U.S. and Canadian border policy.
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)
The Cartel–Hezbollah Alliance: Inside the FASTEST Growing Terror Operation | Dr. Matthew Levitt
On today’s episode, counterterrorism expert Dr. Matthew Levitt pulls back the curtain on Hezbollah’s global operations—from its origins as an Iranian-backed militia to its drug trafficking and money laundering activities across Latin America. Levitt, a former FBI analyst and Treasury official, is one of the world’s leading experts on Hezbollah. As Director of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Program at The Washington Institute, he explains how Hezbollah targets Americans, exploits free trade zones, and partners with drug cartels to fund terror.
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
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%!
The Cartel–Hezbollah Alliance: Inside the FASTEST Growing Terror Operation | Official Trailer
On this week's episode, counterterrorism expert Dr. Matthew Levitt pulls back the curtain on Hezbollah’s global operations—from its origins as an Iranian-backed militia to its drug trafficking and money laundering activities across Latin America. Levitt, a former FBI analyst and Treasury official, is one of the world’s leading experts on Hezbollah. As Director of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Program at The Washington Institute, he explains how Hezbollah targets Americans, exploits free trade zones, and partners with drug cartels to fund terror.
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%!
National Security Threat: Ex-Green Beret Exposes the Cartel’s Coordinated Terror Smuggling Operation
On this week's episode, Vince sits down with former Green Beret Scott Mann to examine the growing intersection between cartel violence and terrorist tactics. Drawing from his Special Forces background and work on Operation Pineapple Express, Scott breaks down how Mexican cartels are evolving into insurgent-style networks with increasing reach and sophistication.
The conversation explores the blurred lines between organized crime and terrorism, the vulnerabilities at the U.S. border, and the importance of identifying early warning signs in both rural and urban communities. Scott also reflects on lessons learned during the Afghanistan withdrawal, the vetting of allies, and how those experiences relate to the current challenges facing U.S. 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
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%!
“Three Cities...Ten Trained Killers.” —Cartels Are Building Terror Supply Chains into America Cities
On this week's episode, Vince sits down with former Green Beret Scott Mann to examine the growing intersection between cartel violence and terrorist tactics. Drawing from his Special Forces background and work on Operation Pineapple Express, Scott breaks down how Mexican cartels are evolving into insurgent-style networks with increasing reach and sophistication.
The conversation explores the blurred lines between organized crime and terrorism, the vulnerabilities at the U.S. border, and the importance of identifying early warning signs in both rural and urban communities. Scott also reflects on lessons learned during the Afghanistan withdrawal, the vetting of allies, and how those experiences relate to the current challenges facing U.S. 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
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%!
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
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
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%!
"Border Smuggling Plot" – The Setup That (Secretly) Destroyed a Decorated Marine's Life
On this week's episode of Borderland: Narcosis, 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 discusses the personal and professional consequences he’s facing, including the loss of his career, security clearance, and the impact on his family and future.
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%!
Former Prison Guard on Why California's Most Violent Prisons Are Collapsing - Cartels & Cover-Ups
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
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
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%!
U.S. Black Budget Funded Warlords, Cartels, and Terrorists—Ex-CIA Operative Blows It Open
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Matthew Hedger—a former CIA operative and intelligence advisor with extensive experience in undercover 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
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.
#CartelHunter #DeepCoverOps #CIASecrets #NarcoWars #InsideCJNG
#SinaloaExposed #SpyVsCartel #CovertWar #BorderCrisis
Ex-CIA Spy Exposes the Deep State’s Covert War Against the World’s Deadliest Cartel
CIA and NSA veteran Matthew Hedger joins Vince on the latest Borderland to discuss how intelligence agencies take down cartels from the inside.
Full episode drops this afternoon.
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
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%!
The Next Phase: CJNG Kill Squads, Terror Cells, and China’s Warplanes | Q&A w/Vince & 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
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
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.
Covert & Unstoppable - Narco-Subs Are Here: Sinaloa’s Pacific Invasion Has Already Begun
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 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
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%!
Ex-Border Patrol Chief | Inside the Collapse: Serving Under Biden, Cartels, & the Next Phase of War
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 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
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%!
#BorderSecurity
#BorderPatrol
#CartelWars
#USMexicoBorder
#BORTAC
#TransnationalCrime
#NationalSecurity
#Ironclad
#BorderlandNarcosis
#JasonOwens
#homelandsecurity
#podcast
Blood Money: Sinaloa Cartel Leader Caught in Oregon — The War Is Already Here
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
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
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%!
North America’s Terror War: Cartels Expand Kill Zones While Mexico Hides the Truth | Katarina Szulc
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back investigative journalist Katarina Szulc for a conversation on the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Mexico relations and cartel activity across North America.
They discuss Mexico’s refusal to accept U.S. assistance in the fight against organized crime, the growing presence of cartels in Canada, and the challenges posed by Canada’s legal system in addressing transnational threats.
Katarina also shares details about her new work in investigative journalism, focused on exposing organized crime and cartel operations.
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
Watch Borderland: DISPATCHES everywhere you get your podcasts and on Youtube @thisisironclad starting May 20th.
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%!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
America’s Silent Invasion: The Terror Cell Hiding in Plain Sight - Tren de Aragua in The U.S.
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back crime analyst and journalist Chris Dalby to examine how economic policies like tariffs can unintentionally empower cartels.
They unpack the evolving tactics of criminal networks, explore how legitimate industries become entangled in illicit operations, and assess how U.S.-Mexico relations influence crime on both sides of the border.
Chris also introduces listeners to the rise of Tren de Aragua—a Venezuelan gang expanding rapidly across the Americas—and offers a preview of his upcoming book, which exposes the group's global footprint and strategic approach to recruitment and expansion.
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
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%!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Weapon Smuggling, Political Backlash, and CJNG’s Rise — The Operation They Buried (Pete Forcelli)
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back former ATF Deputy Assistant Director and Operation Fast and Furious whistleblower, Pete Forcelli, to discuss Project Thor.
Project Thor was a multi-agency initiative led by the ATF from 2018 to 2020, designed to disrupt the illegal flow of firearms from the U.S. to Mexican cartels. It targeted trafficking networks tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), using straw buyers, couriers, and financial investigations to cut off cartel access to weapons. The operation supported 76 cases and identified key trafficking routes—but despite its success, it was quietly defunded in 2022.
Forcelli also shares insights on the internal politics of the ATF, the legal hurdles in prosecuting trafficking cases, and what the future holds for federal efforts to combat cartel-related violence.
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
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%!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Kentucky's MASSIVE CJNG Money Laundering Operation? Did a Cattle Farm Help Launder Cartel Billions?
In this episode of Borderland: NARCOSIS, Vince sits down with Jon Griggs to discuss an ongoing federal investigation into a cattle farm Ponzi scheme that has already been classified as fraud by the FBI. With a background in law enforcement, Griggs shares how the case began with inflated cattle counts and investor losses—but quickly revealed something much larger.
As Griggs explains, the scheme appears to be just one piece of a broader and more complex puzzle, potentially tied to a money laundering network connected to the CJNG (Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación) operating within the U.S. The conversation explores how banks may have unknowingly—or knowingly—facilitated these operations, the systemic failures that allowed the fraud to continue, and the emotional toll on victims. Griggs also talks about the fear of retaliation, missed warning signs, and the ongoing effort to trace the full scope of the operation.
BORDERLAND is an IRONCLAD Original
Borderland
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
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%!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
The Real Threat: Why the U.S. Could Declare War on Chinese Gangs (w/ Former DEA Chief, Ray Donovan)
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Ray Donovan, former DEA Chief of Operations with more than 26 years of experience targeting global criminal organizations. Together, they unpack what the FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) designation could mean for China and Chinese organized crime, examine the rise of black market marijuana in the U.S., and discuss whether legalization could help dismantle the illicit trade.
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%!
Watch Change Agents: Black Project, a 4 part mini series, weekly on Tuesdays or Binge all 4 episodes of now by becoming a member on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join.
Delta Force Operator Exposes the Truth About America’s Failed War on the Cartels (w/Brent Tucker)
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Brent Tucker, a former Green Beret and Delta Force operator with over 20 years of experience in U.S. Special Operations.
They discuss what a U.S. military response to the cartels could look like, including the use of drone warfare, urban combat tactics, and cross-border operations. Brent also shares insights on corruption in Mexico, risk aversion in military leadership, and how special operations units assess threats in complex environments.
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%!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Ex-CIA Agent: We Enabled Cartels, Lied About Torture & Rigged the Drug War (w/John Kiriakou )
On today's episode, Vince sits down with John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer and whistleblower, to uncover the shocking truths behind the U.S. government's involvement in the war on drugs. Kiriakou, who spent over a decade in the CIA, is best known for blowing the whistle on the CIA’s use of torture following the 9/11 attacks, which ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment. His career within the CIA gives him a unique perspective on the agency's covert operations and its complicated relationship with drug cartels.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Become a member on Youtube @thisisrionclad to watch Change Agents: Black Project Starting April 8th!
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%!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Inside the Cartel's Secret Camps: A Shocking Investigation (w/ Ceci Flores and Adriana Jones)
Disclaimer: In this episode, our guest Ceci speaks only Spanish. To ensure her story reaches a wider audience, Adriana Jones provides real-time translation. While we have made every effort to maintain the accuracy and integrity of her words, some nuances may be lost in translation. We appreciate your understanding and encourage listeners who speak Spanish to engage with Ceci’s words directly.
On today’s episode, Vince talks to Ceci Flores and returning guest Adriana Jones to discuss the recently discovered extermination camps in Mexico.
Ceci Flores is Mexican activist searching for victims of forced disappearances, including her two kidnapped sons.
Since 2015, her collective “Madre Buscadoras de Sonora” has uncovered over 2,700 bodies in clandestine graves and reunited more than 2,300 missing persons with their families. Despite threats and being forced to relocate, she continues her fight against cartel violence and government inaction. She was recognized as one of the BBC’s 100 most influential women in 2022, she also authored Madre Buscadora, Chronicle of Desperation, which won Mexico’s “Book of the Year” award.
Adriana Jones is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of RhonitaVIVE, a bi-national human rights organization dedicated to raising awareness about cartel violence in Mexico. She established the nonprofit in memory of her sister, Maria "Rhonita" LeBaron, who, along with her four children, was tragically murdered in a cartel attack in November 2019. Adriana has since become an outspoken advocate, calling for the designation of Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations and striving to bring attention to the pervasive violence affecting countless families
To Donate to Ceci’s foundation, visit: https://www.buscalibre.com.mx/libro-madre-buscadora-cronica-de-la-desesperacion/9786075939056/p/63726734https://www.buscalibre.com.mx/libro-madre-buscadora-cronica-de-la-desesperacion/9786075939056/p/63726734
To Donate to Adriana’s foundation visit: https://rhonitavive.com/
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%!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Mexican Cartels vs. Independent Operators: The REAL Difference | Jay Flores RETURNS
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
CLASSIFIED: Former Agent Reveals the CIA's Covert Operations: Cover-Ups and Cartel Protection
Vince talks to Tracy Walder, a former CIA and FBI agent, about the agency’s covert operations involving cartels. She reveals how the CIA trains, funds, and protects cartel networks, exposing the hidden connections behind global drug trafficking.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Sicario Warfare: How Special Forces Operators Became the Most BRUTAL Mercenaries in the Cartel
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back Pierre Rausini, a former Los Angeles kingpin, to address feedback from his last appearance and expand on the connections between the Sinaloa Cartel and the American military. Pierre discusses how the cartel integrates military tactics, the role of veterans in cartel operations, and the broader impact of U.S. military strategies on drug trafficking
as well as the recent 29 cartel members that were handed over to US custody, and how that act from Mexico impacts the drug trade.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD original
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Inside the Opioid Industry: The Shocking Truth Behind a Major American Drug Operation
On today’s bonus episode, Vince talks to Scott Higham, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter with The Washington Post, renowned for exposing corporate corruption, criminal networks, and critical public safety issues. With a career rooted in investigative journalism, he has spent years uncovering the truth behind the opioid crisis—particularly the role pharmaceutical companies played in fueling the epidemic.
As the co-author of American Cartel: Inside the Battle to Bring Down the Opioid Industry, he and his colleague Sari Horwitz revealed how pharmaceutical giants knowingly marketed highly addictive painkillers, contributing to widespread addiction and devastating overdose deaths, as well as setting the stage for the Mexican drug cartels.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmK3k1U3D3fqPZWcnAaa-Vg/join
Sinaloa Cartel Trafficker Details the Dangerous Life INSIDE the World's Most DANGEROUS Cartel
Wisconsin's MASSIVE Cartel Gun Operation: How CJNG Got Their Hands on America's Most LETHAL Weapons
On today's episode, Vince Vargas sits down with Sarah Kinosian, the investigative journalist behind the revealing Reuters article, https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mexico-usa-guns/ How a Factory City in Wisconsin Fed Military-Grade Weapons to a Mexican Cartel. Sarah talks through her investigation into how a small factory in Wisconsin became a crucial link in supplying military-grade firearms to the CJNG cartel. They also discuss the implications of this illegal trade, the role of U.S. manufacturing in fueling violence south of the border, and the wider connection between American-made weapons and cartel activity.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
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 drug case and arrest, check out: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/drug-kingpin-who-ordered-slayings-gets-40-year-2759011.php?cmpid=gsa-sfgate-result
To learn more about Pierre's story, check out: Devil Exposed: A Twisted Tale of Drug Trafficking, Corruption & Murder in the City of Angels
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
EMERGENCY EPISODE: Leaked Intel: "CBP Officers on the Cartel Payroll" Protecting Cartel Operations?
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.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
New Era of Cartel War: 10,000 Troops Deployed, Drone Attacks & Sinaloa Cartel Collapse | Ed Calderon
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
Cartels vs America: Foreign Terrorist, Sinaloa’s War Zone & U.S. Military in Mexico | Katarina Szulc
Producer's note: this interview was filmed prior to President Trump's pause on Mexico tariffs, and President Sheinbaum's decision to send troops to Mexican border.
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.
Borderland: Season 2 | Narcosis | Official 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
Dismantling Cartels: Major Changes Coming to Drug Policy in 2025 | Q&A with Vincent "Rocco" Vargas
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
The Cartel War: Could Special Forces Enter Mexico to Fight Drug Lords? | Jorge Ventura
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
"No One’s Coming to Save Us" Brutal Cartel Attack Turned Her Life Into WAR | Adriana Jones
On today's episode, Vince sits down with Adriana Jones, a woman whose life was forever changed when her sister and young nephews were murdered in an attack by a Mexican cartel. She discusses how this tragedy led her to establish Rhonitavive, a nonprofit named in her sister’s memory, focused on raising awareness about the growing threat of cartel violence.
To learn more about Adriana and Rhonitavive, visit:
Website: rhonitavive.com
Instagram: @rhonitavive https://www.instagram.com/rhonitavive?igsh=MTYxamVjY2M2cXZwdg==
Facebook: Rhonita Vive https://www.facebook.com/share/QqXJr9oVuJ77Ps8w/?mibextid=wwXIfr
X: @RhonitaVive https://x.com/rhonitavive?s=21&t=GTGQSd5CmZ0-kqprkE-ebw
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Breaking the Power of Cartels: Can Legalization Be the Solution? (w/ TJ English)
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with TJ English, author of The Last Kilo: Willy Falcon and the Cocaine Empire That Seduced America.
They discuss Miami's explosive cocaine boom and its lasting impact on the drug trade, unpacking the city's dark narco history. The conversation also explores how drug legalization could be the key to ending the drug war and addressing the violence that continues to plague many nations.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
What Makes Tren de Aragua More Dangerous Than Other Gangs - Former FBI Agent Daniel Brunner
In this episode of Borderland, Vince Vargas speaks with Daniel Brunner, a 29-year veteran of the FBI and U.S. Navy, to discuss the continued rise of the Tren de Aragua trasnational crime organization in the United States. Brunner, an expert in Latin American geopolitics and organized crime, breaks down the group’s rapid expansion, its deepening entrenchment in the U.S., and the long-term security risks it poses.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Mexican Military Mobilization Against Cartels: The Reality | Borderland #44
On today's episode, Vince sits down with Mexican researcher and sociologist Alethia Fernández de la Reguera to discuss the militarization of Mexico’s northern and southern borders and the corruption entrenched in border enforcement.
They delve into the systemic violations of migrants’ rights, with a focus on the widespread sexual violence and exploitation women endure along their journeys, often at the hands of cartels and corrupt officials. The conversation also examines how the U.S. immigration system measures up in terms of safety and integrity.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
The Origin: How Mexicali’s Underground Chinese City Became a Hidden Opium Hub | Borderland #43
Producer's Note: This interview was recorded prior to official election results
On today's episode, Vince sits down with Benjamin T. Smith, author of The Dope: The Real History of the Mexican Drug Trade to discuss the history and evolution of the Mexican drug trade. Benjamin explains how historical trade routes like the Silk Road laid the groundwork for the global drug trade, the impact of political shifts and corruption in Mexico and the U.S., and how synthetic drugs like meth and fentanyl are transforming cartel operations. They also discuss the unintended consequences of U.S. anti-drug policies, the militarization of cartels and governments, and what it would take to break the economic dependence on the drug trade.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Why Chinese Organized Crime Is Laundering Billions for Mexican Cartels | John Nores | Borderland #42
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back John Nores, a retired special operations game warden and expert in combating environmental and public safety crimes. They discuss cartel activity in the United States and its effects on tribal lands, including Chinese smuggling operations, the rise of tainted cannabis laced with dangerous substances, and the broader impacts these criminal activities have on tribal communities and the environment.
John's book Hidden War: How Special Operations Game Wardens Are Reclaiming America's Wildlands From The Drug Cartels 2nd. Edition is available Now.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Investigating the Drug War’s Biggest Scandal: Politics, DEA, Cartels, and Profit I Borderland #41
On today's episode, Vince sits down with Emmy award winning Mexican investigative journalist, author, and editor, Peniley Ramirez.
Peniley is known for her in-depth reporting on organized crime, corruption, and government accountability in Mexico and the United States. Her latest book, Los Millonarios de la Guerra (The Millionaires of War), brings to light the corruption of Genero Garcia Luna - a former high-ranking Mexican official who worked with President Obama and President Trump on anti-cartel efforts while accepting bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel. He eventually was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2024. Because of Peniley's reporting, several official investigations of politicians and business people in the U.S. and Latin America have taken place in the last 5 years.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Sponsors:
MTNTOUGH FITNESS
Go to: https://mtntough.com/ and download the MTNTOUGH app today, and use code “BORDERLAND” To get a 14-day free trial and one month free! That’s six weeks of MTNTOUGH at no cost
Born Primitive
Tactical ad -Shop Born Primitive Tactical at https://bornprimitivetactical.com
Savage 1 ads - Shop the New Savage 1 at https://bornprimitive.com/collections/savage-1-collection
China's Fentanyl Crisis: Asymmetrical Warfare & Illicit Economies Explained with Vanda Felbab-Brown
On today's episode, Vince is joined by Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and expert on national security, organized crime, and illicit economies. She is the author of several books, including Narco Noir: Mexico’s Cartels, Cops, and Corruption and Shooting Up: Counterinsurgency and the War on Drugs.
In their conversation, Vince and Vanda discuss China’s role in the production and export of fentanyl precursor chemicals, the complexities of its regulatory policies, and whether fentanyl could be used as a form of asymmetrical warfare against the United States.
Interested in more of Vanda's Work:
The Sinaloa cartel arrests: Stunning tactical success, strategic blunder?
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-sinaloa-cartel-arrests-stunning-tactical-success-strategic-blunder/
Mexico, López Obrador, and Sheinbaum’s presidential victory
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/mexico-lopez-obrador-and-sheinbaums-presidential-victory/
The limits of renewed US-China counternarcotics cooperation (testimony)
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-limits-of-renewed-us-china-counternarcotics-cooperation/
How Mexico’s Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación rules
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-mexicos-cartel-jalisco-nueva-generacion-rules/
How the Sinaloa Cartel rules
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-the-sinaloa-cartel-rules/
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Sentinel Foundation:
To find out more about their efforts to help hurricane victims, and their anti-child exploitation efforts, and see how you can help, check out at foundationsentinel.org
Sponsors:
MTNTOUGH FITNESS
Go to: https://mtntough.com/ and download the MTNTOUGH app today, and use code “BORDERLAND” To get a 14-day free trial and one month free! That’s six weeks of MTNTOUGH at no cost
Born Primitive:
Shop Born Primitive Tactical at BornPrimitive.com: LINK: https://bornprimitivetactical.com
Trump, Obama, & Clinton: Border Wall and Immigration Policy Similarities and Differences
Producer's note: This interview was conducted one week prior to the 2024 Presidential elections.
On today's episode, former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott joins Vince to discuss the realities of border security. They unravel the origins of the border wall, tracing it back to the Clinton era before it became a political flashpoint under the Trump administration. Together, they challenge the widespread misconceptions surrounding "kids in cages" and lay bare the complexities of securing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
SPONSORS:
MTNTOUGH FITNESS
Go to: https://mtntough.com/ and download the MTNTOUGH app today, and use code “BORDERLAND” To get a 14-day free trial and one month free! That’s six weeks of MTNTOUGH at no cost.
BORN PRIMITIVE
Born Primitive has pledged $2.5 million to wipe out medical debt for veterans across the country, with a goal of reaching $5 million by Veterans Day. From November 8th to November 11th, all sales from their website will go directly toward this mission.
To learn more about Born Primitive and the Veteran’s day campaign, you can shop the cause at www.bornprimitive.com
The Sinaloa Cartel Civil War, Trafficking, the CJNG & More: Jaeson Jones on the Border Crisis
Why Don't We Fight the Cartel on U.S. Soil | Q&A with Vincent "Rocco" Vargas
What would Vince change if he were running the Border Patrol? Could legalizing drugs dismantle cartel power? And should the U.S. bring the fight against cartels to American soil?
In this special Q&A episode, Vince takes on questions and comments from Borderland listeners, and offers his own insights on topics including U.S. border policy, cartel influence, and the impact of drug legalization.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
SPONSORS:
MTNTOUGH FITNESS
Go to: https://mtntough.com/ and download the MTNTOUGH app today, and use code “BORDERLAND” To get a 14-day free trial and one month free! That’s six weeks of MTNTOUGH at no cost.
The Border Crisis: Peter Zeihan on Cartel Power, Mexico's President & Immigration Policy | IRONCLAD
In this episode of Borderland, Vince sits down with renowned geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan to dive into the complex realities of immigration, U.S. policy, and Mexico's uncertain future.
Peter breaks down what both the left and right get wrong about America's immigration debate, and offer his perspective on the models that could reshape U.S. policy. He also takes a hard look at Mexico's new president and the growing threat of fentanyl production driven by cartels.
He is also the New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Superpower, The Absent Superpower, Disunited Nations, and The End of the World Is Just the Beginning.
BORDERLAND is an IRONCLAD Original.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
SPONSORS:
MTNTOUGH FITNESS
Download the MTNTOUGH app today, and use code “BORDERLAND” To get a 14-day free trial and one month free! That’s six weeks of MTNTOUGH at no cost.
PSYOP Specialist: Targeted Misinformation Threatens Border Security
On this episode of Borderland, Vince chats with Keith Newton, a PSYOP specialist, about how Information Operations (IO) campaigns work and the media’s role in shaping narratives. They explore how news outlets align stories with political agendas and discuss the media’s portrayal of the border crisis.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=BL930YT
The War within the Sinaloa Cartel: Mayos vs. Chapitos (with Ioan Grillo)
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.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
Check out the REASONABLE FEAR S.E.C. KIT available for pre-order at https://thisisironclad.com/products/sec?=BL930YT
The Origin: How Did China Become So Tied to Mexican Cartels? (with Former DEA Chief, Ray Donovan)
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/sec
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
The Rise of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua Gang in the U.S. (with Journalist Jennie Taer)
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 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.
CIA Officer: Foreign Spies Are Exploiting the U.S. (EverydaySpy's Andrew Bustamante)
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: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everydayspy-podcast/id1441789630
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante
To learn more about Andrew and Everyday Spy visit https://everydayspy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayspy/?hl=en
X: https://x.com/everydayspy?lang=en
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
The Violent Aftermath of the Arrest of Sinaloa Cartel Leader 'El Mayo' (with Ed Calderon)
Today on Borderland Vince sits down with security specialist 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.
Exposing International S** Trafficking Rings (with Lydia Cacho) | Borderland #28
Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with award-winning journalist Lydia Cacho.
Amnesty International called her "perhaps Mexico's most famous investigative journalist and women's rights advocate” for her work exposing violence in the Mexican underworld.
Her books include The Demons of Eden: The Power that Protects Child P****graphy, Slavery Inc: The Untold Story of International S** Trafficking, and Infamy: How One Woman Brought an International S** Trafficking Ring to Justice.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
MB01UQFDBPPA0UP
Hunting Terrorists (With Border Patrol Chief, Victor Manjarrez) | Borderland #27
Today on Borderland, Vince talks to retired Border Patrol Chief, Victor Manjarrez.
Victor served more than 20 years in the Border Patrol in roles both in the field and in headquarters,
His border security methods are still considered cornerstones for the border patrol.
On this episode, Victor sheds light on the challenges faced by Border Patrol agents by touching on common misconceptions about the role and operations of the Border Patrol. He also comments on the most recent arrests of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez of the Sinaloa Cartel, and implications that could come from this to those caught in the crossfire.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Cartels' Deadliest Hot Zone: Smuggling, Exploitation, Terrorists Watchlists
Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with the marshal of the historic town of Tombstone, Arizona, Jim Adams.
Together, they discuss the harsh realities and impacts that the smuggling crisis has had on this town just 30 miles from the Mexican border.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
MB01UQFDBPPA0UP
How the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) Uses Extreme Violence and Disinformation to Gain Power
In today's episode of Borderland, Vince talks to Chris Dalby, a journalist and expert on the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
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.
MB01UQFDBPPA0UP
High Tech Human Smuggling Ops: The CCP, Sinaloa Cartel, & Counterfeit Passports | Borderland #24
Fact-checking Biden & Trump's Statements About Border Policy | Borderland #23
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.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=08204ab97bfb4972
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Non-Profits Making Billions off the Border Crisis (w/ Maddie Rowley) | Borderland #22
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
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.
How the Los Zetas Cartel Changed Organized Crime in Mexico | Borderland #21
Today's guest is Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera.
She's a Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, and formally established the Counter Narco-Terrorism Operations Center (CNTOC) in January 2007.
She's also the author of Los Zetas Inc.: Criminal Corporations, Energy, and Civil War in Mexico.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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.
Terrorists Entering the U.S. Undetected (with Former ICE Director Tom Homan ) | Borderland #20
Today on Borderland, Vince discusses the current border and immigration policies with 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. Finally, in 2017, he was appointed acting director of ICE by President Trump before retiring in June of 2018.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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.
The Militarization of Drug Cartels (with Luis Chaparro) | Borderland #19
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: https://www.instagram.com/luiskuryaki/?hl=en
Follow Luis on X:
https://x.com/LuisKuryaki?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
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.
The Terrorist Threat at the Southern Border (w/ Former CIA Targeter Sarah Adams ) | Borderland #18
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.
Today’s guest is Danitza “Dee” James.
She was born in Sonora, Mexico, and moved to US at 15. She is a combat veteran, having served in Iraq on two combat tours. Today, she serves as Chief Executive Officer at Repatriate Our Patriots (ROP) a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding in the repatriation of deported veterans and preventing future deportations.
You can learn more at https://www.repatriateourpatriots.org/
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=3a11f9afb4674ba8
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
The Untold Stories of Deported U.S. Veterans | Borderland #17
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.
Why Are We Deporting Combat Veterans? | Borderland #16
Today’s is Danitza “Dee” James.
She was born in Sonora, Mexico, and moved to US at 15. She is a combat veteran, having served in Iraq on two combat tours. Today, she serves as Chief Executive Officer at Repatriate Our Patriots (ROP) a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding in the repatriation of deported veterans and preventing future deportations.
You can learn more at https://www.repatriateourpatriots.org/
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
The War on Fentanyl into America (with Special Agent Derek Maltz) | Borderland #15
On today's episode, Vince Vargas talks to retired DEA agent, Derek Maltz about the realities of the fentanyl epidemic in the United States.
Derek was also the Special Agent in Charge of the DOJ, Special Operations Division (SOD) for almost 10 years before he left the federal government, and previously held the position as the Chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, the oldest and largest drug task force in America.
Today, he is Executive Director at PenLink, which offers comprehensive solutions tailored for law enforcement, national security and defense sectors.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=3a11f9afb4674ba8
Wilderness Warfare: Militarized Cartels Hiding In America's Woods (with John Nores) | Borderland #14
Today on Borderland, Vince talks with former Game Warden John Nores about how Mexican drug cartels operate in America's forests and public lands.
John served as a Game Warden for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for more than 25 years. He helped develop and lead the Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET), an elite tactical unit targeting cartel drug operations on California’s public lands and created the agency’s sniper capability.
John's latest book, Hidden War, 2nd Edition, is out now: http://www.johnnores.com/hidden-war.html
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=3a11f9afb4674ba8
Disclaimer -
This video is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
We do not glorify or promote illegal activities. Instead, our goal is to increase awareness about the challenges faced by law enforcement.
Viewer discretion is advised. The discussions may include descriptions of practices and operations related to illegal activities that some viewers may find disturbing. All efforts have been made to present this information responsibly and with respect for all parties involved.
No confidential or sensitive information is disclosed. All opinions expressed are based on current knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, and we strive to present all information as accurately as possible.
Comments and discussions are welcome, but we ask viewers to engage respectfully and avoid promoting any illegal activities.
Thank you for watching!
Who's Really Coming Across the Southern Border? Sheriff Mark Lamb Explains | Borderland #13
Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with the 24th Sheriff of Pinal County in Arizona, Mark Lamb.
He is also a candidate for the United States Senate.
You can learn more about Mark Lamb at https://sherifflambforsenate.com/
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
The Real Story Behind ATF's Deadly Gunrunning Scandal 'Operation Fast & Furious' | Borderland #12
Today Vince takes a deep dive into the fast and furious gun-running scandal with guest Pete Forcelli.
He is widely known as a whistleblower for the Operation Fast and Furious scandal and wrote the book The Deadly Path: How Operation Fast & Furious and Bad Lawyers Armed Mexican Cartels Pete served for 15 years with the N.Y.P.D prior to joining the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, where he retired as d Deputy Assistant Director.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=3a11f9afb4674ba8
Inside Mexico’s New Generation of Brutal Cartels | Borderland #11
Today's guest is Matthew Thomas, Chief Deputy of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona. Throughout his career, he has served in several specialty units—Detention, Patrol, Traffic, Training, the Police Academy, Motors, Narcotics, and Investigations.
He is also the author of the book Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=3a11f9afb4674ba8
The Darien Gap: Confronting Cartels, Earth's Deadliest Jungle, and Corruption | Borderland #10
Today's guest is investigative journalist and filmmaker Guillermo Galdos.
Has spent the last 15 years making documentaries and producing exclusive news stories from Latin and South America - topics including human rights abuses, the drug trade, immigration and exposed police corruption and the human trafficking industry. He has personally experienced and documented the treacherous conditions migrants go through as they attempt to cross the dangerous Darien Gap from Colombia into Panama to eventually make it to the US Southern Border - an over 3,000-mile journey through Central America.
You can watch his film "Drowning, kidnap and jaguars - travelling the deadly Darien Gap migrant route to the USA" on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzdkmb5Zjas
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
The Border Crisis: Texas Razor Wire, Cartel Smuggling , Surge of Migrants | Borderland #9
On today's Borderland, Vince dives deeper into the current situation at the Southern Border by talking to two bordertown sheriffs. Both men previously appeared on an episode centered on Operation Lone Star (which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSE2M78_MHU ), but today's episode features previously unreleased portions of these conversations.
Thaddeus Cleveland is the Sheriff for Terrell County, Texas.
Prior to being elected, Sheriff Cleveland spent just over 26 years in the U.S. Border Patrol. He served as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Advisor to U.S. Army North (ARNORTH) in support of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) assistance to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the Humanitarian Crisis at the Southwest Border with Mexico.
He also served six months alongside the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, Texas as the Border Patrol Staff Officer at the Texas Homeland Security Border Security Operations Center (BSOC) as the single point of contact between the BSOC, U.S. Border Patrol Sectors and U.S. Border Patrol in Washington, D.C.
Leon Wilmot is the Sheriff of Yuma County, Arizona.
He has worked in law enforcement since 1985.
Some of his professional accomplishments as Chief Deputy include the restructuring of the Southwest Border Alliance drug task force to the newly formed Yuma County Narcotics Task Force. Sheriff Wilmot was also instrumental in overseeing the restructuring of the Yuma County Sheriff’s Posse and is currently working on a Mutual Aid Law Enforcement Agreement between Imperial County California and Yuma County.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=b78077b6dd214455
So, What Country Has Better Immigration Policies Than the U.S. Then? | Borderland #8
Worst Than You Think: INSIDE Mexico's Cartel Drug & Oil Trade And It's Getting Worse | Borderland #7
Mike Vigil is the former Chief of International Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration. He is also the author of DEAL, Metal Coffins: The Blood Alliance Cartel, Narco Queen, and The Land of Enchantment Cartel.
He is responsible for numerous multinational operations, the largest involving 36 countries, and was involved in the real-life story told in Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico involving the murder of his friend Enrique "Kiki" Camarena.
Today on Borderland, Vince and Mike discuss his career, going undercover in the early days of the cartel wars, his thoughts on the border crisis, and what it will take bring down the cartels.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=3a11f9afb4674ba8
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Disclaimer -
This video is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
We do not glorify or promote illegal activities. Instead, our goal is to increase awareness about the challenges faced by law enforcement.
Viewer discretion is advised. The discussions may include descriptions of practices and operations related to illegal activities that some viewers may find disturbing. All efforts have been made to present this information responsibly and with respect for all parties involved.
No confidential or sensitive information is disclosed. All opinions expressed are based on current knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, and we strive to present all information as accurately as possible.
Comments and discussions are welcome, but we ask viewers to engage respectfully and avoid promoting any illegal activities.
Thank you for watching!
Why the World Needs to Pay Attention to Venezuela | Borderland #6
Today on Borderland, Vince talks with two asylum seekers who have escaped the authoritarian regime in Venezuela.
Jorge Galicia is a Fund for American Studies research fellow, an attorney, and a TPUSA Sunshine Field Representative.
Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/JorgeGalicia95
Andres Gilatre is a political activist, Outreach Fellow for the Venezuela Project and a Fund for American Studies research fellow.
Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/andres7guilarte
You can see more about their work here: https://tfas.org/site/venezuelan-exiles-andres-guilarte-jorge-galicia/?utm_medium=301
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=3a11f9afb4674ba8
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
The Rise of MS13 and Militarized Mexican Drug Cartels | Borderland #5
Today is the second in a two-part series on BORDERLAND, examining the MS13 gang and the massive crackdown taking place in El Salvador.
Last week, we spoke with Alex Papadovassilakis and Steven Dudley of the organization InSight Crime, to talk about efforts to clear the country of gang violence, the 70,000 people who’ve been arrested, and the mega prisons that are housing them.
This week, we do a deep dive into the origins of the notorious street gang and how they differ from Mexican cartels.
The fentanyl crisis, what is tranq (as well as how it became such a massive and dangerous problem in areas known for street drugs), how these drugs are coming into the country, and what can be done to stop it.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Inside El Salvador's Mega Prisons, Gang Violence & Organized Crime Crackdown | Borderland #4
Today is the first in a two-part series on BORDERLAND, examining the MS13 gang and the massive crackdown taking place in El Salvador. This week, we talk with Alex Papadovassilakis and Steven Dudley of the organization InSight Crime, to talk about efforts to clear the country of gang violence, the 70,000 people who’ve been arrested, and the mega prisons that are housing them. Next week, we do a deep dive into the origins of the notorious street gang and how they differ from Mexican cartels.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf/id1677415740
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=ffc99b68b9944ac4
#podcast #podcasts #podcasting
Cartels, Fentanyl, and Smuggling: The World of Border Trafficking (w/ Jaeson Jones) | Borderland #3
Today on Borderland, Vince sits down with cartel and border security expert and Newsmax border correspondent, Jaeson Jones, who reveals the shocking situation on the Southern Border including the prevalence of drugs, human smuggling, and cartel violence.
Jaeson is a retired Captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Intelligence and Counter Terrorism Division and has supervised numerous Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operations.
You can follow him on X and see more his work @jaeson_jones
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original.
America's Immigration System Is BROKEN: Border Patrol Vet. & Advocate Debate | Borderland #2
Today on Borderland, BORSTAR vet. and host Vincent "Rocco" Vargas sits down with JJ Mulligan Sepulveda, an immigration attorney and author of the book "No Human Is Illegal: An Attorney on the Front Lines of the Immigration War". Hear two perspectives on the border crisis.
Each week on Borderland we bring different perspectives on the border crisis, immigration, and policy.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=b78077b6dd214455
The Truth About Operation Lone Star | Borderland #1
Today on Borderland, Vincent “Rocco” Vargas hears multiple perspectives on Texas’ controversial “Operation Lone Star.” Longer conversations with these guests will be featured in episodes later this season. (NOTE: Several sensitive words have been bleeped in the YouTube version of this episode. Non-bleeped versions can be found on podcast platforms.)
FEATURED GUESTS:
Terrell County, Texas Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland
Author and immigration attorney J. J. Mulligan Sepulveda
Change Agents host Andy Stumpf
Yuma County Arizona Sheriff Leon N. Wilmot (Sheriff Wilmot’s and the National Sheriff’s “16 National Security initiatives” can be found here:
https://www.sheriffs.org/sites/default/files/16%20NSA%20National%20Security%20Initiatives.pdf
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/borderland-with-vincent-rocco-vargas/id1730589324
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6w9YAIljxWKXsetl10w9Qp?si=b78077b6dd214455
Borderland with Vincent "Rocco" Vargas | Official Teaser Trailer | IRONCLAD
The latest IRONCLAD Original podcast is coming.
The first episode of Borderland, hosted by Vincent "Rocco" Vargas hits the YouTube channel and all major podcast platforms on Feb. 22.
Collaborate With Us
Get in touch by clicking the orange button or call us directly at +1 (757) 963 9439