Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

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,...

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...

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 blur...

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 mig...

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 inmate...

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 c...

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...

On this special Borderland: Narcosis interview, Vince sits down with NewsNation's Jorge Ventura to break down the chaos unfolding in Los Angeles. What began as peaceful protests has spiraled into violent clashes, property destruction, and citywide unrest. Jorge offers a frontline perspective on how these protests escalated, what the mainstream media is leaving out, and the deeper social and politi...

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 carte...

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...

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 $3...

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 transnat...

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 lis...

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 (C...

To read a copy of the death investigation, CLICK: HERE 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 so...

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 dismant...

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 militar...

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 wit...

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 t...

In this episode, Jay Flores returns to set the record straight on drug cartels and trafficking. As former drug trafficker with firsthand experience in the world of organized crime, Jay discusses the realities of cartel operations, the role of cryptocurrency, and the differences between cartels and independent traffickers. He also touches on the impact of law enforcement and the evolving nature of...

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former CIA and FBI agent Tracy Walder to explore the intersection of intelligence, national security, and the drug trade. Tracy shares her journey from the CIA to the FBI, discussing counterterrorism, drone warfare, and the role of intelligence in tracking cartels. She unpacks the CIA’s complex ties to drug trafficking, the fentanyl crisis, and China’s role...

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back former L.A. kingpin Pierre Rausini to address feedback from his last appearance and dive deeper into the ties between the Sinaloa Cartel and the American military. Pierre discusses the cartel’s use of military tactics, the role of veterans in operations, the impact of U.S. strategies on drug trafficking, and the recent handover of 29 cartel members to U.S. c...

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 f...

On today's episode, Vince sits down with former Sinaloa cartel kingpin turned educator, Margarito "Jay" Flores. Margarito Flores Jr. as known as “Jay”, grew up in Chicago, where he and his twin brother, Pedro, were born into a family of drug traffickers. Starting at the street level, they rose to run one of the largest drug distribution organizations in U.S. history, working directly with El Chapo...

On today's episode, Vince Vargas sits down with Sarah Kinosian, the investigative journalist behind the revealing Reuters article, 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...