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Artwork for Borderland: Narcosis

Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

IRONCLAD
Sinaloa Cartel
Drug Trafficking
Fentanyl
Human Trafficking
Venezuela
Corruption
Cartels
Organized Crime
Drug Cartels
Border Patrol
Tren De Aragua
Mexico
CJNG
Jalisco New Generation Cartel
Fentanyl Crisis
China
United States
Border Crisis
Border Security
Mexican Cartels

New Episodes Every Monday. An unfiltered look at real stories from America's Southern Border. Each week, special operations combat veteran, actor, writer, and veteran BORSTAR Agent Vincent “Rocco” Vargas sits down with guests to discuss the ruthless forces driving mass migration—organized crime. This season, Borderland: Narcosis takes an unfiltered look at the criminal networks fueling the crisis,... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes133Founded2 years ago
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News

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Artwork for Borderland: Narcosis

Latest Episodes

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Katarina Szulc, investigative journalist and host of the Ironclad Original, Borderland: Dispatches. Kat shares insights from her recent reporting in Ukraine, where authorities are investigating claims that fore... more

What started as a routine security check in rural Kentucky unraveled into what might be the largest cattle fraud scheme in U.S. history, and that was just the tip of the iceberg.

This compilation brings together the complete, escalating investigatio... more

Jon Griggs returns to Borderland: Narcosis for his third appearance, picking up a story that's grown far beyond where it started. What began as a routine assignment to secure a Kentucky cattle farm in 2023 has unraveled into a $4.5 billion money-laun... more

On today's episode, Vince sits down with Karlo Villalpando, a 10-year veteran of Mexican Customs and former Port Director in Sonoyta, to discuss the recent surrender of Sinaloa's Secretary of Public Safety to the DEA, the SDNY indictment naming Sinal... more

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Recent Guests

Karlo Villalpando
Former Mexican Customs official, currently protects US businesses from cartel extortion
Former Mexican Customs; Security consultant
Episode: A Former Mexican Customs Official on Cartels, Corruption, and U.S. Strikes (with Karlo Villalpando)
Jason Owens
26th Chief of the United States Border Patrol
U.S. Border Patrol
Episode: ‘They Don't Want a Helo Landing Outside Their House’” Why Sinaloa Narcos Are Turning Themselves In
Roger Reaves
Smuggling veteran and author of Smugglers
Author, Smugglers
Episode: Cartel Smuggling Ops: Former Pablo Escobar Pilot Explains How He Flew Millions in Product to the US
Cody Gautereaux
Member of the GOAT Initiative, spokesperson for GOAT Initiative
GOAT Initiative
Episode: 3 Russians, 12 Miles Inside California: Inside the San Diego Pipeline Still Wide Open
Ray Donovan
Career DEA agent with deep knowledge of cartel operations
DEA / Law enforcement
Episode: The Hunt for Iván Guzmán Intensifies: Ex-DEA Boss Who Hunted El Chapo on What Comes Next
Hector Berrellez
Career DEA agent, lead investigator on the Kiki Camarena case
Drug Enforcement Administration (former)
Episode: Hector Berrellez: The CIA, the Cartels, and the Murder of Kiki Camarena
Jorge Ventura
Reporter, Ventura Reports, investigative journalist
Ventura Reports
Episode: National Security Concerns at the Southern Border: Jorge Ventura Reports from Tijuana
Scott McGregor
Canadian intelligence officer and author of The Mosaic Effect
Canadian intelligence community, author
Episode: Silent Takeover: How China’s Infiltration of Canada Threatens U.S. Security
Ed Calderon
Security consultant and commentator on cartel activity
Independent security analyst
Episode: Mexico’s Cartels After El Mencho: Full-Scale Insurgency Ahead (Ed Calderon Returns)

Host

Vincent Vargas
Co-host; veteran combat operator, host and producer; focuses on security narratives and frontline perspectives

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 338 ratings
  • Recent Venezuela pod

    I have been listening to the podcast a while now. The Venezuela pod was the best I’ve heard. The information given was very thought provoking in many ways, gave explanation I have not known. Will have to follow Nick as it seems his knowledge is incredible, too bad Americans can’t get this information from our government. Maybe if the gov’t told us more about why Trump is hell bent on destroying the Venezuelan ships, the countries that are imbedded in Venezuela it would ease a bit of the division... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KRA 71
    United States6 months ago
  • Podcast

    Would love to hear Vince on SRS and vice versa

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MPP-713
    United States8 months ago
  • Weak Audio

    Another podcaster who ruins the show with low audio levels. Boost your audio in post before uploading. This is inexcusable in 2025.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Saving Viking
    United States8 months ago
  • Fantastic!

    It is great to find someone that wants to inform the public about what is going on. Very great podcasts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NQMAC
    United Statesa year ago
  • Very Insightful

    👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sharron Marie
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many value the range of guests and multi-perspective discussions on border security and organized crime.
Listeners praise its direct, no-nonsense approach and first-hand expertise.
Some criticize audio quality or pacing in long interviews but respect the depth of information.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#179
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Former Mexican Customs Official on Cartels, Corruption, and U.S. Strikes (with Karlo Villalpando)
Q: What would you want listeners to take away about operating safely around this risk?
Not everybody in Mexico is corrupt; many officials work under fear and sacrifice to do the right thing, so due diligence, trust-building with partners, and protecting people and assets are essential when operating in risk-prone geographies.
A Former Mexican Customs Official on Cartels, Corruption, and U.S. Strikes (with Karlo Villalpando)
Q: What does the future look like for cartels and cross-border business?
Cartels will evolve, but sustained cross-border cooperation and stronger institutions, plus targeting money and weapons flows, can pressure them; ten years from now there will likely still be criminal networks, but with continued effort and collaboration improvements, better outcomes are possible.
A Former Mexican Customs Official on Cartels, Corruption, and U.S. Strikes (with Karlo Villalpando)
Q: Are American companies exposed to cartel influence and what can they do about it?
Absolutely; liability has grown because cartels are designated foreign terrorist organizations, so companies must execute due diligence on vendors and supply chains to avoid being deemed complicit, while continuing to operate under strict compliance and monitoring.
A Former Mexican Customs Official on Cartels, Corruption, and U.S. Strikes (with Karlo Villalpando)
Q: Can you give a brief background on who you are for the audience?
I was born and raised in Tijuana, joined Mexican Customs in 2009, started in the Office of Fuel Operations, and eventually became a port director, witnessing how cartels intercede in everyday business and how corruption surfaces at different levels.
Cartel Smuggling Ops: Former Pablo Escobar Pilot Explains How He Flew Millions in Product to the US
Q: How did your early farming life influence your later decisions to become involved in smuggling?
He explains it started with financial desperation and the lure of quick money, which grew into a transnational operation as opportunities expanded with marijuana trafficking and cartel networks.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Borderland: Narcosis

What is Borderland: Narcosis about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on on-the-ground border issues, focusing on how criminal networks, including cartels and trafficking rings, operate near and across the U.S. southern border. Conversations often feature veterans, security experts, journalists, and investigators discussing surveillance gaps, policy debates, and practical countermeasures, with a recurring emphasis on local empowerment, interagency coordination, and private-sector or contractor roles. A notable strength is the unfiltered, first-hand perspective from field operatives and researchers, plus continued sponsor integrations that signal a strong, action-oriented information ecosystem for people working in defense, risk, and public safety communications. Potential listeners may be dra... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Borderland: Narcosis?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Borderland: Narcosis:

1. Change Agents with Andy Stumpf
2. Mike Drop
3. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC
4. The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell
5. The Shawn Ryan Show

How many episodes of Borderland: Narcosis are there?

Borderland: Narcosis launched 2 years ago and published 133 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Borderland: Narcosis?

Recent guests on Borderland: Narcosis include:

1. Karlo Villalpando
2. Jason Owens
3. Roger Reaves
4. Cody Gautereaux
5. Ray Donovan
6. Hector Berrellez
7. Jorge Ventura
8. Scott McGregor

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