The Story

Stephen Mee, a former cocaine trafficker who worked with the Cali Cartel, sits down to discuss how he built an illicit empire. David Collins and executive producer Will Roe meet Stephen in his artist’s studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The investigation takes us to a $10 million home in a leafy city suburb. Back home in Melbourne, Stephen Drill picks up a money trail leading right past his front door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Undercover in a gleaming world where nobody asks questions.  David Collins follows the money trail through Dubai’s crowded gold souk to its luxurious office blocks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drug money is carried out of the UK in suitcases carried by passengers travelling in luxury. A cash mule tells David Collins about the brazen operation used to smuggle millions to Dubai. This episode contains descriptions of suicidal thoughts.  If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised, the following organisations can help: Samaritans in the UK  - 24-hour helpline...

On the streets of northern England where chaos reigns among those doing the selling.  David Collins spends time in Merseyside, speaking to people working in the retail arm of the cocaine business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe’s vast ports act as logistic hubs in a worldwide operation that relies on corruption and torture.  In the Netherlands, Fiona Hamilton reveals the industrial scale of the cocaine business - and how it always leads to violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As cocaine is smuggled out of South America it multiplies in value, driving people to extremes.  Stephen Drill follows the trail to Mexico and uncovers how the numbers used by law enforcement do not add up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where people fight and die in the coca plantations.  In Colombia, Stephen Drill discovers how the international cocaine business starts, and the cost paid by everyone it touches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between now and January 6th we will be playing the 2024 award-winning series, Cocaine Inc., from The Times, The Sunday Times and News Corp Australia.  A brutal attack on an innocent young woman sends the reporters on a global investigation.  David Collins visits Merseyside in northern England, where 26-year-old Elle Edwards was shot while celebrating Christmas Eve. Hosted on Acast. See a...

The number of people with food allergies in the UK has more than doubled since 2008, with more than 5,000 people a year hospitalised in England with anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. So what’s behind the increase and are we close to a cure?  Find out more about The Times and The Sunday Times Christmas Appeal 2024 Donate by calling 0151 286 1594 or by following this link . Thi...

On Christmas Day, The Times' Investigations Editor, Dominic Kennedy, will spend his last working day at the paper having started back in 1993. To mark this, Dominic sits down with Luke to talk about his career in journalism and revisits three very unique and very different stories that he’s investigated over the past 31 years.  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers...

From Pennsylvania to New Jersey to Tennessee, The Times’ Megan Agnew spent three weeks on the Taylor Swift trail, discovering the origins of the supersonic star. How does someone go from teenage guitarist to pop phenomenon? Was her fame just luck and talent, or was there a master plan behind it all? This episode was first broadcast on June 10th 2024. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the s...

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story the first episode of our series Last Man Standing - the story of British photojournalist John Cantlie who was kidnapped in Syria by Islamic State in 2012. While his fellow hostages were released or murdered, he remained captive. Then, a series of Isis propaganda videos emerged, fronted by Cantlie. He hasn’t been seen since. Times War Corres...

Maher al-Assad is the youngest sibling of the deposed Syrian dictator. He’s also known as the ‘enforcer’, renowned for his brutal crackdowns on protesters, and his role in Syria’s murky drugs empire. Reporter Oliver Marsden visits his abandoned house on the outskirts of Damascus and uncovers a strange lair, complete with an underground funicular, an escape tunnel, and a Jennifer Lopez DVD. This po...

Donald Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has caused widespread alarm in defence and security circles, not only in the US but amongst America’s allies. But what are her views, and why are they proving so controversial? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Gue...

The rap mogul’s, whose real name is Shawn Carter, billion dollar empire is at risk after he was named in a civil lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old in 2000. Jay-Z was named alongside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Both men strongly deny the claims. So how did Jay-Z become a giant of American culture? If you've been affected by issues in this podcast: Victim Support  provides emotional and...

Prince Andrew has now "ceased all contact" with an alleged spy working on behalf of China's shadowy United Front Work Department. But their relationship has raised questions about how the 'desperate' prince pays for his lifestyle and whether he inadvertently enabled the Chinese state to infiltrate the British royal family. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Tim...

Security services have issued an unprecedented warning about a shadowy Russian military unit accused of carrying out assassinations and cyberattacks on the streets of Britain. So as the government ramps up its defence against the threat from the Kremlin, what exactly is Unit 29155? And why is it targeting the West? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and T...

We’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2024. Millions of social media users are flocking to follow the Trad Wives: stay-at-home mothers who champion a life making meals from scratch and serving their husband’s and children’s every need. Our reporter goes to meet the woman behind the most popular account: Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm. Is she selling a feminist dream or an un...

After nearly a week on the run, Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania for the murder of health insurance CEO, Brian Thompson. But in a macabre twist, Mangione has found widespread support on social media, which has dubbed him the ‘hot assassin’. Why? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thesto...

Sir Kim Darroch is the former UK ambassador to the USA and worked with Trump for two years during the President’s first term. So how should the UK deal with Trump 2.0? And as our former National Security Advisor - before his Washington post - how will the UK government be reducing the terrorism threat from Syria, and balancing trade opportunities versus security issues when it comes to China. This...

Healthier, eco-friendly, altogether virtuous. This may be how we think of milk alternatives but new research is calling into question the ‘plant-based milk myth’. So what’s the truth? How good for you - and the environment - is your oat milk flat white? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thes...

As a new leadership emerges in Syria, disparate groups remain in control of different parts of the country. In the midst of the fluctuating situation, what dangers might return? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Mark Urban, Writer and Columnist, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones....

Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity when her husband - and dozens of other men - were charged with raping and sexually assaulting her. Her decision allowed journalists to cover the trial in full and made her a feminist icon in France. But as we await the final verdicts and sentencing, what does the case tell us about French attitudes to rape? And with the French government promising chang...

This week, No 10 confirmed it wouldn’t stand in the way of a deal to return the Elgin Marbles to their original home in Athens. The comments came after a meeting between Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Our former host David Aaronovitch spoke to classicist and British Museum trustee Dame Mary Beard about how the Parthenon sculptures ended up in the UK 200 years ago. Thi...