最佳Cartels播客 (2024)

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Episode 92: Operation Plaza Strike: The Nogales Plaza and Plaza Boss Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela 36:50

4d ago36:50

36:50

Earlier this month, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the implementation of Operation Border Spike, which it called the next step in the CBP's strategy to combat fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. Operation Border Spike begins with a focus on the Nogales, Sonora plaza and the plaza's boss. In this Episode, I give a brief overview of…

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Episode 91: Ciudad Juarez -- It's History, Cartel Influences, and Future 47:33

12d ago47:33

47:33

One of the more profound impacts of the Cartel wars has been the focus on the violence in many areas of the country, and corresponding diminishing attention to Mexico's rich and diverse history, culture, and economy. In this Episode, I look at this concept through the lens of Ciudad Juarez. Specifically, I examine the city's fascinating history, as…

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Episode 90: The Fentanyl Crisis and the Politics of the United States and Mexico 42:50

19d ago42:50

42:50

I frequently get asked what I the major issues in the fight against the Mexican cartels and the fentanyl crisis. In response, in addition to other issues, I often talk about the demand for illegal drugs in the United States and elsewhere and the economic realities in much of Mexico that precipitate participation in the cartels. Recently, I read two…

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Episode 89 -- ADX Supermax -- El Chapo and Beyond 41:29

25d ago41:29

41:29

Last week, while on a spring trip road trip with my daughter, we passed by the town of Florence, Colorado and ADX Supermax, the most secure prison in the country, housing our most dangerous and notorious prisoners, including infamous former cartel leader, El Chapo Guzman. My curiosity spurred, this Episode discusses the impetus for the construction…

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Episode 88: Bravo Ranch and the Discovery of the Bodies of Camarena and Zavala 40:51

1M ago40:51

40:51

May 5 marked 39 years since the tragic discovery of the bodies of Agent Camarena and Captain Zavala. Since there is a significant amount of disinformation about the discoveries and surrounding events, this Episode provides facts to set the record straight. Initially, we discuss Commandante Pavon Reyes and the kidnapping of Captain Zavala, identifyi…

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Episode 87: Impacts from the AMLO Investigation Reports 32:06

2M ago32:06

32:06

In an early January episode, I discussed the just-released reports that claimed the DEA had investigated information that drug traffickers had funneled millions of dollars into the 2006 presidential campaign of current Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. In that discussion, we questioned the impact of those reports could have on bilatera…

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Episode 86: China's Connection to the Mexican Cartels 47:52

2M ago47:52

47:52

China's role in the drug trafficking enterprises of the Mexican cartels is often discussed, but often without significant specificity or detail. In this Episode, I explore the services provided by Chinese criminal organizations to the cartels, prominently in the supply of precursor chemicals and in money laundering. I also look at the role of the C…

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Episode 85: The Many Lives of Los Zetas and Fight for Control of Tamaulipas 39:42

2M ago39:42

39:42

In the ever-changing world of Mexican cartels, it often is hard to "know the players without a scorecard." Such is the case as cartels battle for control of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and the lucrative border town of Nuevo Laredo. In this Episode, I trace the lineage of the infamous Los Zetas cartel to one of the prime combatants in Nuevo Lare…

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Episode 84: Did Narco Traffickers Partially Fund an AMLO Presidential Campaign ? 57:22

3M ago57:22

57:22

Recent headlines trumpeted reports that the DEA head investigated allegations that narco traffickers had provided millions of dollars to a presidential campaign of current Mexican President Andres Manual Lopez Obrador ("AMLO"). In this Episode, I examine the reports of the DEA's investigation into the allegations that the traffickers provided funds…

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Episode 83: A Fresh Look at Recent Event in Mexico 43:34

3M ago43:34

43:34

The ongoing battles between CDS, CJNG, and the military for control of the Mexican state of Chiapas have been widely reported in the news for the last few weeks. In this Episode, I look into the crisis in Chiapas by tying together various events occurring over the better part of the last decade to understand what led to the current events. In parti…

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Episode 82: A Retired FBI Agent’s Inside Look into the World of MS-13 49:33

3M ago49:33

49:33

Daniel Brunner boasts an impressive 29 years of combined service in federal law enforcement and the U.S. Navy. Serving 20 years as a Special Agent in the FBI, Mr. Brunner developed a wide area of expertise including vital Latin and South American geopolitical subjects, encompassing facets such as China's involvement, organized crime ranging from ga…

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Episode 81: The Enigma that is Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros (Part 2) 43:17

4M ago43:17

43:17

For the first episode of 2024, I conclude our examination into the life and career of Honduran trafficker Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros. In this Episode, I look at the allegations connecting Matta to the Camarena kidnapping, including his alleged presence at Lope de Vega and his escape from Mexico City shortly after the Camarena abduction. I also ex…

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Episode 80: The Enigma That is Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros (Part 1) 44:31

5M ago44:31

44:31

Juan Ramon Matta Ballesteros played a pivotal role in the expansion of drug trafficking from Colombia to Mexico and to the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Moreover, many allege he and his company were significant actors in the U.S.'s proxy war in support of the Contras seeking to overthrow Nicaragua's Sandinista government. Matta also may hav…

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Episode 79: The Capture of El Nini and Other Key Recent Events 32:18

5M ago32:18

32:18

Last Wednesday, El Nini, the head of security for Los Chapitos and head of Los Ninis, was arrested in a mid-day raid on a house in Culiacan. In this Episode, we examine the capture of El Nini and, most significantly, we discuss the possible reasons behind his capture and its timing. Notably, we discuss suggestions that his capture was part of a sec…

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Episode 78: Amado Carrillo Fuentes - Who Was He, What Did He Do, and is He Still Alive? 41:06

5M ago41:06

41:06

My recent viewing of season 3 of Narcos: Mexico, which features Amado Carrillo Fuentes in one storyline, coupled with recent discussions about his death, led me to look more into the life, career, and death of The Lord of the Skies. In this episode, we look at Amado's rise from one of twelve children in Sinaloa, to the tutelage he received from old…

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Episode 77: A 1986 US Embassy Memo on the Mexican Legal System and the Camarena Case 32:25

5M ago32:25

32:25

A September 1986 memorandum from the US Embassy in Mexico City to the State Department in Washington D.C. sought to "clear up some of the confusion that has been created by efforts to explain Mexican legal proceedings using US definitions" and to "promote a greater understanding of the differences between the Mexican and U.S. legal systems." In thi…

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Episode 76: Using Social Networking Analysis to Understand Mexican Cartels and the Nature and Strengths of CDS and CJNG 40:01

6M ago40:01

40:01

Policy decisions regarding Mexican cartels should be driven by careful analysis coupled with a deep understanding of the cartel network structure in Mexico and its primary actors, i.e., CJNG and CDS. Social network analysis is a tool that can be used to evaluate these critical issues. In this Episode, we discuss social network analysis and recent r…

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Episode 75: More Analysis of the Crisis of Guns Trafficked to Mexico and the Subjective Nature of the Truth 48:23

6M ago48:23

48:23

In this Episode, we discuss some current events including the devastation in and around Acapulco caused by Hurrican Otis and the end of Red Ribbon Week. We then look at the Biden administration's announced intent to complete part of the border wall in Starr County, Texas. Next, we add to the discussion last week about the trafficking of guns and ot…

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Episode 74: Guns In Mexico: Accepting the Disturbing Truths 35:14

6M ago35:14

35:14

The prolific trafficking of guns and weapons from the U.S. into Mexico is a significant and tragically overlooked issue in the war on drugs and the Mexican cartels. The easy access to a legal inventory of guns in Texas and other state and lucrative prices on the secondary market has flooded some Mexican border towns – including remarkably violent o…

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Episode 73: US Military Action Against Mexican Cartels: The Threats and the Realities 34:13

7M ago34:13

34:13

In this Episode, we look at the political dialogue surrounding the possible use of US military forces against Mexican cartels, as part of the effort to address the fentanyl crisis. The pledges of Republican presidential candidates are examined, as well as the role of a Congressional committee investigating the issue. We also consider some of the di…

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Episode 72: More on the Extradition of Ovidio Guzman and an Analysis of the Varied Factors Impacting Cartels and Drug Trafficking 40:10

7M ago40:10

40:10

In today's Episode, we share some additional thoughts and information on Ovidio Guzman, his extradition, the speed of the extradition process, and what might be expected going forward. Next, we look at three recent articles discussing different aspects of cartels and the drug trade. One article describes the socio-economic factors driving Mexican y…

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Episode 71: The Extradition of Ovidio Guzman -- What Happened and What It Means 29:22

7M ago29:22

29:22

In this Episode, we look at the September 15 extradition of Ovidio Guzman and his plea of not guilty in a Chicago federal court. We also examine the impacts his prosecution may have had, or later have, on the Sinaloa Cartel, Los Chapitos, the flow of drugs, including fentanyl, into the U.S., and our understanding of the growth and survival of carte…

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Episode 70: Intriguing Observations from Additional Testimony in the Camarena Criminal Trials 53:52

7M ago53:52

53:52

In this Episode, we conclude our look at the testimony in the 1990 and 1992 criminal trials by looking at some miscellaneous testimony from the 1990 trial. In particular, we look at testimony regarding the identities of the major traffickers in Guadalajara at the time of the Camarena abduction, the capture of Caro Quintero in Costa Rica, the discov…

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Episode 69 -- The 1990 Trial Testimony of Hector Berrellez 54:11

8M ago54:11

54:11

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Hector Berrellez in the 1990 criminal trial (Zuno I), including testimony relating to statements made by Juan Jose Bernabe Ramirez about an argument between Caro and Fonseca at Lope de Vega. Most importantly, though, we use Agent Berrellez's testimony to further analyze the role of Garate Bustamonte in s…

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Episode 68: The Testimony of Lawrence Victor Harrison Part 2 and a New ”Claim” from Hector Berrellez. 43:29

8M ago43:29

43:29

In this Episode, we examine the testimony of Lawrence Victor Harrison in the 1992 Zuno II trial. Among other issues, this testimony provides an opportunity to consider the government's use of paid witnesses and the critical role of Garate Bustamonte in securing those witness. We then look at a "new" claim from Agent Berrellez on why, according to h…

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Episode 67: The Testimony of the Enigma that was Lawrence Victor Harrison 57:50

8M ago57:50

57:50

Lawrence Victor Harrison was a man of several names and many (possible) roles -- Berkley student, Mexican lawyer, communications guru to the traffickers and Mexican police, and even CIA agent. In this Episode, we break down the trial testimony of Harrison and see what it says about the traffickers and their relationships with each other, the limite…

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Episode 66 -- The Troubling Trial Testimonies of Traffickers Enrique Plascencia Aguilar and Frank Retamoza 36:35

8M ago36:35

36:35

We continue our examination of the transcripts from the Zuno I and Zuno II trials by considering the testimonies of traffickers Enrique Plascencia Aguilar and Frank Retamoza. Plascencia's testimony includes details about the events at La Longosta that may be seen as inconsistent with the accepted narrative. In addition, his testimony regarding a De…

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Episode 65: The Zuno Trials -- A Tale of Two Prosecutions 49:46

9M ago49:46

49:46

This week we start a comprehensive review of the two Zuno trials using trial transcripts to look at the claims made by the prosecution and the actual, unfiltered testimony of government and defense witnesses. In this Episode, we examine the government's opening statements in the two trials and consider the intrinsically contradictory nature of the …

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Episode 64 -- The ”Secret” Roles of Javier Barba Hernandez and Tomas Morlet in the Camarena Case 40:44

9M ago40:44

40:44

As we continue to address many of the unanswered questions regarding the kidnapping, interrogation, and murder of Agent Camarena, in this Episode we look at the possible roles of lawyer turned drug trafficker Javier Barba Hernandez and DFS Agent Tomas Morlet. In addition to looking at the evidence connecting these men to the kidnapping and interrog…

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Episode 63 -- An Academic Analysis of the Long-Term Survival of the Sinaloa Cartel 38:17

9M ago38:17

38:17

The longevity of the Sinaloa Cartel, when other cartels have come and gone or splintered, is the subject of a recent academic article that we discuss in this Episode. Specifically, we look at the factors that make the CDS an excellent case study. Next, we consider the article's conclusion that four types of governance practices by the CDS contribut…

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Episode 62 -- Public Corruption in Mexico and a Discussion of Manuel Bartlett Diaz 42:09

9M ago42:09

42:09

Continuing our discussion from last week, in this Episode, we analyze various statistics, surveys, and other data evidencing the corruption in Mexico and the public's perception of their safety and well-being. We also look at the Mexico State Rule of Law Index, which not only reflects the adherence to the rule of law in the Mexican state but is als…

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Episode 61: A Brief History of the Mexican Government 1:01:50

10M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

As issues relating to drugs and Mexican cartels are reported on, become part of candidate platforms, and are discussed by policy-makers and those interested in those policies, many question the role of the Mexican government and its actions, or inaction, toward the cartels. In this Episode, I provide a brief history of the Mexican government, speci…

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Episode 60: FBI Agent Michael P. Malone and the Science of the Camarena Case 34:47

10M ago34:47

34:47

FBI Agent Michael P. Malone testified as to hair and fiber evidence collected at 881 Lope de Vega and his testimony was a key component of the government's case in all three of the Camarena-related criminal trials. Following Agent Malone's analysis and testimony in the Camarena cases, several DOJ investigations and analyses from third parties calle…

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Episode 59: The Facts and Enduring Questions About 881 Lope de Vega 1:00:18

10M ago1:00:18

1:00:18

My continuing effort to confront and consider the unanswered questions regarding the Camarena case leads to this Episode's discussion of the residence at 881 Lope de Vega. By examining the ownership history of the residence, the forensics from the house, and the relevant phone records, we can draw some conclusions about the events at Lope de Vega o…

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Episode 58: Who Ordered the Kidnapping of Agent Camarena? 1:05:51

11M ago1:05:51

1:05:51

It is remarkable that 38 years after the abduction, torture, and murder of DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena significant questions remain as to some of the most fundamental elements of the crime. In this Episode, we examine the main theories on the question of who ordered Agent Camarena's abduction, providing evidence and reasoning both for and aga…

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Episode 57: Narcos: Mexico and the Camarena Case -- Setting the Record Straight (Part 2) 34:22

11M ago34:22

34:22

Narcos: Mexico portrayed many events relating to the Camarena case in such a manner that some likely believe all of those events are true and occurred as depicted. As we continue to investigate the Camarena case and seek answers to lingering questions, it is important to separate dramatic license from actual events. In this episode, we look at the …

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Episode 56: Narcos: Mexico – Setting the Record Straight (Part 1) 36:22

12M ago36:22

36:22

Narcos: Mexico presented, over the course of three seasons, a dramatic account of the kidnapping and murder of Agent Camarena and the growth of Mexican drug trafficking. Despite clearly being a dramatization based on certain real events, some people accept as true things events presented in Narcos: Mexico that are partially dramatized or even compl…

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Episode 55 -- The (Other) Knights Templar 28:24

12M ago28:24

28:24

The Knights Templar cartel formed as from a split in leadership of La Familiar Michoacana, and it left a lasting impression from its short reign. The Knights Templar history is filled with stories of their strict Code of Conduct, drug rehabilitation centers, and graphic violence. It is even alleged that their induction ceremonies included extensive…

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Episode 54: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of La Familia Michoacana 45:11

12M ago45:11

45:11

The short reign of La Familia Michoacana as a key Mexican cartel was distinguished by their rapid growth, violent nature, and "unique" leaders, including the bible carrying Nazario Moreno González, known as El Más Loco ("The Craziest One"), and José de Jesús Méndez Vargas alias El Chango ("The Monkey" or "The Ape"). La Familia long had a fractured …

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Episode 53: The Indictments of Los Chapitos and What They Really Mean 34:31

1y ago34:31

34:31

The recent announcement by the Department of Justice of indictments in three federal courts of Los Chapitos and many of their associates was accompanied by significant detail on the Los Chapitos organization and the efforts of the DEA to infiltrate that organization. In this Episode, we look at the indictments themselves, the statements of the DOJ,…

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Episode 52 -- The Three ”Zs” and the Ironic Downfall of Los Zetas 37:01

1y ago37:01

37:01

Led primarily by two former members of the Mexican special forces, Arturo Guzmán Decena and Heriberto Lazcano Lazcano, designated Z-1 and Z-3, respectively, the Zetas started as the military wing of the Gulf Cartel and became a fierce cartel, driven by military tactics and ruthless aggression. This Episode explores how, despite their miliary elemen…

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Episode 51- Osiel Cardenas Guillen and the Power Move that Almost Brought Down the Gulf Cartel 33:20

1y ago33:20

33:20

As part of our series analyzing the older Mexican cartels and, in particular, understanding their leaders, today we discuss Osiel Cardenas Guillen, who rose from being a mechanic in Matamoros to leader of the Guld Cartel. While heading CDG, Cardenas Guillen was directly responsible for the creation of Los Zetas, as well as the territorial and opera…

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Episode 50: The Rise, Possible Betrayal, and Fall of Alfredo Beltran Leyva 33:24

1y ago33:24

33:24

The Beltran Leyva brothers rose to a prominent role in the Sinaloa Cartel together with their long-time "friend" El Chapo, then splintered from the CDS, formed an alliance with Los Zetas, only to be decimated by arrests and killings. In this Episode, we examine the life of Alfredo Beltran Leyva in order to understand the BLO and to identify the rea…

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Episode 49: The Tragically Violent Life of El Chapo’s Former Friend and Partner El Guero Palma 39:31

1y ago39:31

39:31

Jesús Héctor Luis Palma Salazar, "El Guero" Palma, has led a tragic and violent life that has seen him rise from an impoverished childhood, to being a main cog in Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo's operation, to being a partner and friend of El Chapo Guzman. Along the way, El Guero lost his wife and sons to the violent ways of cartels, he was responsibl…

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Episode 48 -- The CIA: Black Ops, Narcotics, and El Chapo 43:31

1y ago43:31

43:31

The mythos of CIA involvement in the Camarena case warrants additional consideration and a renewed rebuttal. In this Episode, we set the stage for such reconsideration by reviewing CIA blacks ops, including public disclosures on black ops and a review of the CIA-backed Operation Gladio. We then turn our attention to allegations of CIA involvement i…

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Episode 47: A Perspective on the Evolution of Cartels in Mexico 43:20

1y ago43:20

43:20

The rise of cartels in Mexico has been the result of a number of factors, including anti-drug efforts by law enforcement around the world, the structure of the Mexican government, and the adaptive nature of the cartels and their leaders. In this Episode, we use the "Organized Crime and Violence Special Report 2021" from the University of San Diego'…

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Episode 46: The Curious Case of Dr. Humberto Alvarez Machain 31:24

1y ago31:24

31:24

Dr. Alvarez Machain was a Guadalajara doctor who often provided medical services to drug traffickers, including Rafael Caro Quintero. Following the murder of Agent Camarena, a warrant was issued for his arrest and, in April 1990, Dr. Machain was "abducted" from Guadalajara, flown to El Paso, arrested, and charged with crimes connected to Agent Cama…

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Episode 45: The Trial of Genaro Garcia Luina -- What Happened and Why It Matters 40:30

1y ago40:30

40:30

The Brooklyn-based trial of Genaro Garcia Luna, the former Secretary of Public Security of Mexico, has neared its conclusion. In this Episode, we look at the government's case, which was based primarily on the testimony of nine cooperating witnesses, and the defense arguments and tactics. We also consider what the Garcia Luna case says about prosec…

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Episode 44: CDS and CJNG in Europe, the Middle East, and Around the World 28:11

1y ago28:11

28:11

Mexican cartels have been steadily expanding their operations beyond North and Central America, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. In this Episode, we look at these expanded operations, their root causes, and the implications the growth could have on issues such as increased crime and terrorism. Finally, we look at the impact of the cartel…

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Episode 43 -- The Unholy Trinity: Fentanyl, China and Mexican Cartels 26:31

1y ago26:31

26:31

The fentanyl crisis continues to attract media and Congressional attention. In this Episode, we look at the issue by first looking at the drug itself, its legal and illegal uses, and its manufacturing. We then investigate China's distribution of precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, as well as Chinese money laundering operations t…

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