Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena
An in-depth analysis of the 1985 murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena and the various conspiracy theories relating to his death, as well as the rebuttal to many of those theories in the newly published true crime novel Someone Had to Die. Subsequent seasons will also discuss other conspiracies, historical anomalies, and peculiar events and occurrences.
Episodes
Episode 129: No Death Penalties and the Possibity of Military Action in Latin America
In this Episode, I look at the recent disclosure of President Trump's directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against certain Latin American cartels and what it might mean for Mexico and Venezuela. I then discuss the Departm…
Episode 128: Updates on Mayo, Ovidio, and Caro and the Turf War Between DEA and HSI
In this Episode, I provide an update on El Mayo's case, discuss Ovidio's guilty plea, and look at the discovery provided by the government to Caro Quintero's defense team. I then look at the complimentary and sometimes competitive roles of …
Episode 127: The CJNG - Los Chapitos Alliance: What is it and What does it Mean?
In this Episode, I examine the CJNG - Los Chapitos alliance, particularly in light of the Chapitos' civil war with La Mayiza. Specifically, I discuss reports on the formation of the alliance and the actions that led to its formation. I al…
Episode 126: The What and Why of the El Chapo Family Members Entering the US
On May 14, seventeen members of El Chapo's family crossed from Tijuana to San Diego where they were met and whisked away by U.S. agents. In this Episode, I discuss this event, including the identities of some of the family members. In addit…
Episode 125: Oil Smuggling for the Cartels ... in Utah?
In this Mother's Day episode, I first discuss pea agreement between the U.S. government and Ovidio Guzman and what it really means. Next, I look at the arrest of a husband and wife from Sandy, Utah, who have been indicted on charges of smug…
Episode 124: The Civil Case of Camarena v. Caro-Quintero
In this Episode, I dissect the Complaint in the recently filed federal litigation by the Camarena family against Rafael Caro-Quintero, Ernesto Fonseca, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo, and the Sinaloa Cartel. In addition to discussing the cause…
Episode 123: Inside the Fight for Control of CDS
It has been around 9 months since El Mayo and Joaquin Guzman were flown to the United States and arrested and it's been almost exactly 7 months since the fighting between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza broke out in Culiacan. In this Episode, …
Episode 122: The Sentencing of El Menchito and the Impact of Trump's Tariff Threats on Mexico's Fight Against the Cartels
In this Episode, I first discuss some recent news events, including the dismantling of a huge methamphetamine laboratory in Zacatecas, I then look at the sentencing of El Menchito, the son of CJNG leader El Mencho in a D.C. federal court. F…
Episode 121: Extraditions, Extraditions, and More Extraditions
In this Episode, I look at the recent "extradition" of 29 narcos from Mexico to the United States and identify the most prominent figures who were extradited and the significance of their extraditions. In particular, I discuss the extraditi…
Episode 120: Are the Reports of the Demise of CDS Premature?
As Los Chapitos continue to suffer from the arrest and capture of more leaders, and given the reports of Ivan's narrow escapes, many pundits have proclaimed the demise of the Sinaloa Cartel. In this Episode, I look at the arrests of key lea…
Episode 119: Remembering Enrique "Kiki" Camarena
Forty years ago today, DEA Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena was abducted outside the American consulate in Guadalajara. Agent Camarena was subsequently interrogated, brutally tortured, and murdered. In this Episode, with my guest Stev…
Episode 118: Plea Negotiations, Plea Negotiations, and More Plea Negotiations
In this Episode, in addition to touching on some recent news, I discuss the plethora of reports asserting that many of the main cartel figures in custody in the U.S. are engaged in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors. Specifically,…
Episode 117: A Conversation with James Kuykendall
In this Episode, I discuss the Camarena case with James Kuykendall. Significantly, in addition to discussing some little-known facts about the case, Mr. Kuykendall directly addresses many claims, rumors, and inuendo, including many raised b…
Episode 116: The Re-Arrest of El Min Licenciado and America's Failed Policy
In this Episode I discuss the recent re-arrest of El Mini Licenciado who had been given an early release from federal custody as a reward for information on drug traffickers and the Sinaloa Cartel and, most importantly, his testimony agains…
Episode 115: Was Joaquin's Betrayal of El Mayo Part of a Long-Term Plan by El Chapo?
In this Episode, I first discuss the widespread costs in Culiacan as a result of the CDS civil war, including an estimated $1 billion lost by Culiacan-area business. Next, I discuss reports that the plan for Joaquin to betray El Mayo and ar…
Episode 114: Leo Silva and the Los Zetas Reign of Terror
Retired DEA Agent Leo Silva has written a fascinating book titled "Reign of Terror" chronicling the rise and fall of Los Zetas. In this Episode, Leo and I discuss his book, his career in the DEA, and his inside view of the ascendence of Los…
Episode 113: What Does the US Election Mean for Mexico and Mexico's Cartels?
One week after the election of Donald Trump, we are getting an idea of some of the policies his administration will adopt that likely will affect the US's relationship with Mexico and both countries' concerns with the cartels and drug traff…
Episode 112: The Extraordinary Case of El Azul
Juan Jose Esparragoza Moreno, aka El Azul, may not be the most known of the drug traffickers in Mexico's cartel history but he had one of the most interesting careers, which I discuss in this Episode. Born in the same town as El Chapo, El A…
Episode 111: The CDS Civil War -- Scheinbaum's First Month in Office and Rumors of an Unexpected Alliance
In this Episode, I update the ongoing battle within the CDS between Los Chapitos and La Mayiza, now under the control of Mayito Flaco by reference to three issues. First, I look at the difficult circumstances encountered by President Schein…
Episode 110: The Trial of El Menchito
In this Episode, I re-cap the recent news and events in the ongoing war between Los Chapitos and MZ in Culiacan. Then I discuss the trial of El Menchito who was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia this week. I…
Episode 109: Did Mayito Flaco Declare War on Los Chapitos?
In this news report Episode, we discuss the violent confrontations between "armed civilians" rocking Culiacan since early morning. Most significantly, we look at the many reports of audio recordings confirming that Ismael Zambada Sicairos (…
Episode 108: What Happened in Culiacan and the El Mayo Case Keeps Getting "Curiouser and Curiouser"
In this Labor Day edition of the podcast, I look at three interesting developments in the last few days. First, I discuss Osiel Cardenas Guillen's release from federal prison. Specifically, I discuss the fact that he was placed in the cust…
Episode 107: Who Really are Government Witnesses Jorge Godoy and Rene Lopez Romero?
The government's case in the Zuno II trial rested largely on the testimony of two former Jalisco State Police officers, Jorge Godoy and Rene Lopez Romero. In this Episode, I look into the backgrounds of these two men and specifically discu…
Episode 106: Neither the Alleged Conspiracy Meetings nor the Witnesses are Credible
In the two Zuno trials, prosecution witness testified to several alleged conspiracy meetings to discuss and plan the abduction of Agent Camarena. In this episode, we assess the credibility of those allegations and of the witnesses themselv…
Episode 105: The Camarena Abduction: Reaching Some Conclusions
Today's Episode concludes my three-part analysis of the abduction of Agent Camarena from outside the America consulate. Specifically, in this Episode I reach some conclusions regarding the abduction including conclusions regarding the part…
Episode 103: The El Mayo Arrest: Reports, Rumors, and Analysis
Again this week, the arrests of El Mayo and Joaquin Guzman Lopez have dominated the cartel-related conversation. In this Episode, I look at the latest reports and rumors regarding the events that lead to the plane carrying El Mayo and Joaq…
Episode 103: El Mayo Arrested: What Happened and What It Means
The HUGE news this week was the arrest of Ismael Zambada (El Mayo), a leader and founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, son of El Chapo and one of Los Chapitos. In this Episode, I discuss the known facts about the arrests …
Episode 102: The Camarena Kidnapping: The Inconsistent and Irreconcilable "Witnesses"
Many of the alleged witnesses to the abduction of Agent Camarena case provide narratives of the abduction that are both inconsistent over time and irreconcilable with each other. In this Episode, I explore these inconsistencies focusing in…
Episode 101: The Camarena Kidnapping: The Timeframes That Don't Add Up
In this Episode, I examine the abduction of Agent Camarena, focusing particularly on the timeline of events surrounding the abduction. Initially, I discuss the known facts that present a narrow, and very specific, time frame when the abdu…
Episode 100: Back to Where We Started: The Conundrum that is the Camarena Case
In this special Episode, my 100th, I reflect back on to the Camarena case and look forward to efforts to clear the record of false narratives and blatant misrepresentations about the case. Specifically, in this Episode, I discuss some of th…
Episode 99: A Half Year News Recap
In this abbreviated, Father's Day Episode, I discuss a few of the topics focused on in the last few months and add new information or perspectives. Specifically, I look at the "final" results from the Mexican elections and discuss the near …
Episode 98: The Mexican Elections: What Happened and What Does It Mean?
Mexico's national elections on June2 were historic in many respects. Most significantly is that Mexico elected its first woman, and first Jewish, President, and did so by an unprecedented margin. In this Episode, I discuss the election a…
Episode 97: Mexico's Elections -- What's Really at Stake?
On June 2, Medico is likely to elect the first female President in a North American country. In addition to electing a President, the elections will fill the 628 seats of the bicameral federal Congress, eight state governorships, the Mexico…
Episode 96: Maxican Money Laundering in the United States -- Analysis and Proposals for Reform
The efforts of Mexican cartels to launder the hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit profits in the U.S. have been a focus of law enforcement and regulators on both sides of the border. In this Episode, I discuss an analysis of those l…
Episode 95: The DEA's National Drug Threat Assessment 2024
Last week, the DEA presented its annual National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA). In this Episode, I discuss some of the more significant observations in the NDTA. Specifically, I look at the NDTA's description of the Sinaloa and Jalisco Car…
Episode 94: Mexican Cartels and the Use of Social Media
The use of social media has become an integral part of the operation of Mexican cartels and has expanded their reach and influence in new and profound ways. In this Episode, I look at the narrative themes in the cartel's social media pres…
Episode 93: The Arrest of El Mencho's (Other) Brother
This last week, news reports highlighted the arrest of Abraham Oseguera Cervantes (alias "Don Rondo"), the older brother of CJNG leader El Mencho. In this Episode, I discuss not only Don Rondo's arrest but also the arrest of other relatives…
Episode 92: Operation Plaza Strike: The Nogales Plaza and Plaza Boss Sergio Valenzuela Valenzuela
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 beg…
Episode 91: Ciudad Juarez -- It's History, Cartel Influences, and Future
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…
Episode 90: The Fentanyl Crisis and the Politics of the United States and Mexico
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 a…