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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
United States
Fentanyl Crisis
China
Border Crisis
Mexican Cartels
Border Security

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes137Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Borderland: Narcosis

Latest Episodes

Ali Hopper is a nationally recognized expert in human trafficking and serves as the President of GUARD Against Trafficking, a nonprofit she co-founded to combat exploitation through research, education and advocacy. She has testified before Congress ... more

YouTube

Today’s guest is Jaeson Jones. He is a retired Captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Division, and a recognized expert of Mexican drug cartels and transnational crime. He is also a correspondent for Ne... more

David Holthouse is a journalist, writer, and documentary filmmaker best known for his immersive "gonzo" reporting style and his work infiltrating extremist groups, criminal networks, and other hard-to-access subcultures. His films and series include ... more

YouTube

In this 4-chapter film, Borderland: Narcosis host Vince ‘Rocco’ Vargas looks at four stories from the world of cartels and organized crime: The missing women of Juárez, the rise and fall of MS-13, the strange role that Santa Muerte plays in cartel cu... more

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Recent Guests

David Holthouse
Investigative journalist known for gonzo reporting and documentary work on organized crime
Independent journalist / documentary filmmaker
Episode: Cartel Insider Exposes the Russian Mob, CJNG & Hells Angels Operating as One Network Inside America
Oz Woloshen
Investigation journalist; host of Forgotten Women of Juarez
Journalist
Episode: Beyond Drug Trafficking: 4 Dark Turns in the Violent Evolution of Mexican Drug Cartels
Diana Washington Valdez
Investigative reporter (El Paso Times) known for reporting on femicides
Journalist
Episode: Beyond Drug Trafficking: 4 Dark Turns in the Violent Evolution of Mexican Drug Cartels
Steve Dudley
Co-founder/co-director of Insight Crime; senior researcher on Latin American crime
Insight Crime
Episode: Beyond Drug Trafficking: 4 Dark Turns in the Violent Evolution of Mexican Drug Cartels
Steve Fisher
Investigative reporter; NYT/USAToday/WA Post contributor
Journalist
Episode: Beyond Drug Trafficking: 4 Dark Turns in the Violent Evolution of Mexican Drug Cartels
Andrew Chestnut
Professor, Santa Muerte expert
Virginia Commonwealth University
Episode: Beyond Drug Trafficking: 4 Dark Turns in the Violent Evolution of Mexican Drug Cartels
Kat Szulc
Guest, Ukraine drone warfare expert
Journalist/Reporter
Episode: The New Era of Cartel Warfare — How Modern Wars Are Reshaping Cartels
Jon Griggs
Investigator and commentator on the Kentucky fraud case
Private investigator in Kentucky
Episode: Kentucky's CJNG Money Laundering Network - From Ghost Cattle to a Crypto Torture Mansion (Jon Griggs Returns)
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)

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 340 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 States7 months ago
  • Podcast

    Would love to hear Vince on SRS and vice versa

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MPP-713
    United States9 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 States9 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
#119
Indonesia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cartel Insider Exposes the Russian Mob, CJNG & Hells Angels Operating as One Network Inside America
Q: If they were interested in organized crime right now, where would you send a young journalist first?
Presidio, Texas. It's a small border town that offers a clear lens on federal enforcement challenges, cross-border activity, and the way criminal networks operate near the Rio Grande; it's a practical, high-value starting point for sourcing.
Cartel Insider Exposes the Russian Mob, CJNG & Hells Angels Operating as One Network Inside America
Q: What was your goal when originally going out there to get some reporting done?
I went with the mindset of reporting honestly as a journalist—spending time with communities, building rapport, and letting the relationships develop before asking pointed questions. It's about being present, earning trust, and letting the story reveal itself rather than forcing it.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

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1. Change Agents with Andy Stumpf
2. Mike Drop
3. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC
4. Tier1 Podcast
5. The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

How many episodes of Borderland: Narcosis are there?

Borderland: Narcosis launched 2 years ago and published 137 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. David Holthouse
2. Oz Woloshen
3. Diana Washington Valdez
4. Steve Dudley
5. Steve Fisher
6. Andrew Chestnut
7. Kat Szulc
8. Jon Griggs

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