CrashOut Podcast

With on-the-ground reporting and analysis, I look at the brutal battle in Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel between the Mayos and Chapitos. Since it exploded in September, it has caused over 1,000 deaths and disappearances and shows no sign of stopping. Thanks to Omid Visua for editing. For full video, other reports and to support my work, please go to www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simple...

I talk with journalist Guillermo Galdos about his latest documentary on the submarines full of cocaine that cross the Atlantic.  For more stories and to support, go to: www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I talk to Max Daly about his decades covering drxgs in the UK and his work as international drugs editor for Vice. Check out more on his work and books at: http://www.maxdaly.com/   Check out of my stuff at: www.crashoutmedia.com   Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I look at the security strategy of new Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum.  For more info, check out: www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ken Behr was a major smuggler of marijuana and cocaine into South Florida from the 1970s to the 1990s. When he finally got caught, he made a deal and worked undercover for the DEA for two years. He reveals all in his new book, "Confessions of a Marijuana Mercenary," which he talks about in this fascinating interview.  For more info, go to: www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecas...

I talk to anthropologist Angela Garcia about the "anexos" in Mexico City that keep dozens of so-called addicts locked up in a single room for years using harsh methods such as chaining them to the wall. She has written about these for her new book, "The Way That Leads Among The Lost." I also talk to her about addiction in the New Mexico where she is from and any hopes of breaking the cycle. For mo...

Sometimes you find a story that just blows you away and makes you wonder how you hadn’t heard it before. Patrick Winn’s new book “Narcotopia” did just that in painting the first detailed portrait of the Wa State, an Asian territory the size of Belgium that is effectively run by a drug cartel.  Wa State is officially in Myanmar but is self governed with its own army, supplied by Beijing. It churns...

I talk with bad ass journalist Hollie McKay who reported in Afghanistan about how the opium was trafficked massively under the Allied occupation and how the Taliban destroyed it. You can check out Hollie's Subtsack on:  https://holliesmckay.substack.com/ To read more CrashOut stories and support the Chronicles go to: www.crashoutmedia.com    Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compan...

I get into the seismic detention of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. For my full story please go to: https://www.crashoutmedia.com/p/exclu...   You can also see more of my pieces and support my work at: www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mexico's first female president smashes the election 2024 Check out: www.crashutmedia.com  Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In another tragic case, three surfers - two Australian and one American - took a trip to Baja California and didn’t make it back; their bodies were found in a well with bullet wounds.  Baja California authorities were quick to find them and arrest suspects. But questions remain. How did they get to the alleged perpetrators? If it was a robbery why was the vehicle of the surfers burned out.  To sup...

In Baltimore, Maryland, I interviewed teenage killer turned anti violence activist Tyree "Colion" Moorehead. In 2022, Colion was himself shot dead by a police officer while assaulting a woman and having a knife drawn.  For more of my work, check out: www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

I talk to Margarito Flores, who along with his brother trafficked more than 60 tons of cocaine for the Sinaloa Cartel. They then became cooperators and gathered evidence that was used to indict more than 50 traffickers, including El Chapo. He is now working giving classes to law enforcement on the workings of cartels and trying to make a difference.  Check out more on him at: kingpintoeducator.com...

I look into the crazy new allegations dropping Mexico.  To look into the issues further and support my work please go to:  www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

 I talk to journalist Ben Westhoff about his work covering the overdose crisis and gun violence. To support this podcast and my work, you can go to: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ioangrillo or www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I talk to Christian Cipollini about California’s Homegrown Sicario: El Mano Negra. You can read the story on the years of interviews with El Mano Negra at: www.crashoutmedia.com You can also support my work at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ioangrillo Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adve...

Luis Chaparro and I talk to Deborah Bonello about her investigation into the cartel queenpins and her book Narcas. You can support this podcast on: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ioangrillo Or subscribing to: www.crashoutmedia.com Also check out Deborah's Substack at: https://dbonello.substack.com/ and her book at: https://www.amazon.com/Narcas-Secret-... Check our Luis' YouTube channel at: @luischa...

Journalist Luis Chaparro got an exclusive interview with the narco known as El Plaga. The thing is El Plaga was meant to be in Mexican prison but he says he is on the streets.  You can read the story on El Plaga here -  https://www.crashoutmedia.com/p/narco-el-plaga-gives-me-an-interview Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collec...

I talk with Luis Chaparro on his interview with narco turned informant Dámaso López Serrano, alias Mini Lic. To read the full story on Mini Lic go to www.crashoutmedia.com Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I talk with fellow narco journalist Luis Chaparro about the crime bosses in his hometown of Ciudad Juarez from La Nacha to the Lord of the Skies and rise and fall of the Juarez Cartel  Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I talked to fellow crime journalist Niko Vorobyov about the situation right now in Russia, with the protests, war, oligarchs and crime bosses.  Check out Niko's work on: @Lemmiwinks_III  https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Niko-Vorobyov-ebook/dp/B0818Q395Q Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advert...

On February 15, 2011, members of the Zetas drug cartel attacked two agents from ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. One of them, Jaime Zapata, was killed. The other, Victor Avila, survived. Here he tells his story. Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal...

This is an interview I conducted in 2019 with former Mexican President Felipe Calderón for my book Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartel.  I am releasing the audio of the interview today to coincide with the release of the book, which you can find from all good booksellers, in print, kindle or as an audio book.  I interviewed former President Calderón, who ruled Mexico from 2006 to 20...

This is a debate with my friend and fellow writer Malcolm Beith, author The Last Narco, about whether the War on Drugs, which turns 50 last year, will change under Biden-Harris. I argue that there is hope and opportunity for a deescalation. He argues they will ramp it up. Support the show Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

Following the arrest of ex Mexican defense minister General Cienfuegos, I have a very late night chat with Mike Vigil, who served decades in the DEA, going undercover with traffickers. He was the longest serving agent in Mexico and also went to Central America and Colombia and arrested major traffickers. He reveals fascinating details about arrest of Cienfuegos and his time working with the Mexica...