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Artwork for Borderland: Narcosis

Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes126Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Borderland: Narcosis

Latest Episodes

On today's episode, Vince welcomes back former DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, the man who led the hunt for El Chapo, for a breakdown of where the hunt for Iván goes next, why the Chapitos can't survive the way their father did, and what t... more

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Hector Berrellez, a former DEA agent and lead investigator on the 1985 murder of agent Kiki Camarena.

Berrellez breaks down his role in the case, efforts to secure key witnesses, and the investigative tactics... more

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Johnny Mitchell, a former multi-million dollar marijuana trafficker turned stand-up comedian and host of the podcast The Connect. They break down who the U.S. may target next inside the cartel hierarchy, the ... more

On today's episode, Vince welcomes back Jorge Ventura to break down his reporting from Tijuana, including concerns over cartel smuggling routes, migrant movement near the U.S. border, and the broader Iranian national security threat.

Check out Jorge... more

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Recent Guests

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
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)
Pierre Rausini
Expert on drug trafficking and cartel operations
Episode: The Strategy to Target Mexico’s Most Powerful Cartel Leaders (Pierre Rausini Returns)
Jon Griggs
Investigator involved in uncovering corrupt activities and money laundering schemes
Episode: Kentucky’s CJNG Money Laundering Network - The Money Trail Gets Deeper (Jon Griggs Returns)
Jorge Ventura
Independent reporter focusing on immigration and organized crime issues
Episode: After Venezuela Is Mexico Next? China’s Alliance with Cartels Could Spark Strikes (Jorge Ventura)
Manuel Núñez
Owner and founder of Palente Mexico, a cattle exporter company.
Palente Mexico
Episode: A Whistleblower Details Extortion Inside Mexico’s Cattle Economy
Steve Hernandez
CEO and co-founder of The North Group, expert in safety mitigation, security and risk management
The North Group
Episode: How Disinformation, Smuggling, and International Networks Are Quietly Shaping Threats to the U.S.
Deborah Bonello
Investigative journalist specializing in organized crime in Latin America
InSight Crime
Episode: INSIDE the Ultra-Violent Secret World of Female Cartel Operatives: Deborah Bonello

Host

Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas
Host and combat veteran, focusing on the complexities of organized crime related to immigration and drug trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 334 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 States5 months ago
  • Podcast

    Would love to hear Vince on SRS and vice versa

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MPP-713
    United States6 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 States7 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 States10 months 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.

Listeners appreciate the depth and insight provided by the host and guests, finding the subject matter timely and relevant.
Overall, reviews highlight the importance of the topics discussed, especially in relation to current events surrounding immigration and crime.
There are concerns about audio quality in some episodes, with suggestions for improvement to enhance the listening experience.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hector Berrellez: The CIA, the Cartels, and the Murder of Kiki Camarena
Q: To set the stage for people who may not know the headlines, can you walk us through what happened with Kiki Camarena in 1985, and why his murder became so consequential?
Camarena was tortured and murdered as part of a larger investigation into cartel activities and CIA connections; his case highlighted not only drug trafficking but suspected intelligence agency involvement, provoking intense scrutiny and ongoing controversy about accountability and covert operations.
Sinaloa’s New Structure: Inside a Fragmented Cartel Network
Q: Why might the U.S. government not simply target all cartel leaders?
Because arrests and removals require cooperation from Mexican authorities, the timing and location of targets, and the risk of destabilizing the broader economy and security situation, which can make toppling leaders more complicated than it seems.
Sinaloa’s New Structure: Inside a Fragmented Cartel Network
Q: How has leadership changed after Mencho's death and what does it mean for the balance of power?
Leadership is spreading through the Chapisa and Maísa lines, with potential successors like Ivan Archivaldo or other family members; the balance of power becomes volatile and dependent on who consolidates control and maintains financing during transitions.
Sinaloa’s New Structure: Inside a Fragmented Cartel Network
Q: What is the biggest misconception about how the cartel operates?
That the cartel is a single, centralized villain. In reality it's a decentralized, multi‑cell system with independent operations that feed up to a few figureheads, functioning like a complex network more than a single entity.
National Security Concerns at the Southern Border: Jorge Ventura Reports from Tijuana
Q: Please tell me more about that.
Ventura describes how authorities and sources flagged a mosque near the border linked to special-interest aliens, with migrants from Somalia and East Africa and concerns about how visas and IDs are issued, which could facilitate smuggling and entry into the United States.

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?

Focusing on the complex issues surrounding organized crime at the U.S.-Mexico border, the content provides an unfiltered examination of mass migration problems. The discussion typically revolves around various criminal networks involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and far-reaching corruption that complicates law enforcement efforts. Each episode not only highlights personal stories and expert insights but also addresses significant geopolitical implications, revealing how international dynamics influence local crime and security challenges. This podcast appeals to listeners interested in geopolitical issues, crime investigations, and personal accounts from the front lines of these urgent matters, presenting a blend of narrative st... 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. Borderland: Dispatches with Katarina Szulc
3. Cleared Hot - Powered By BRCC
4. The Shawn Ryan Show
5. Mike Drop

How many episodes of Borderland: Narcosis are there?

Borderland: Narcosis launched 2 years ago and published 126 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. Hector Berrellez
2. Scott McGregor
3. Ed Calderon
4. Pierre Rausini
5. Jon Griggs
6. Jorge Ventura
7. Manuel Núñez
8. Steve Hernandez

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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