On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former DEA senior agent Stacy Zinn, who led major anti-cartel operations in Montana, to discuss the growing presence of organized crime in the state and its impact on local communities. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Buy Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: http://psyopshow.com/ Sponsors: 1stPhorm Go to⁠ ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Mexican law enforcement officer Ed Calderón returns to Borderland to break down the next phase of cartel warfare. From CJNG’s weaponized drone swarms to the rise of armed child recruits in rural Mexico, Calderón explains how cartels are evolving into paramilitary forces — and what that means for the U.S. as violence creeps closer to the border. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Buy Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: http://psyopshow.com/ Sponsors: 1stPhorm Go to ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former FBI agent Martin Suarez. For 23 years,  Martin lived undercover inside Colombian cartels. Joined by Ian Frisch, who co-wrote his memoir Inside the Cartel: How an Undercover FBI Agent Smuggled Cocaine, Laundered Cash, and Dismantled a Colombian Narco-Empire, Martin reflects on the psychological toll of undercover work, the art of gaining a cartel’s trust, and the scale of drug trafficking. This conversation also exposes the realities of the drug trade, and why America’s approach to the war on drugs remains a challenge. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Buy Target Intelligence: PSYOP with Shawn Ryan: http://psyopshow.com/ Sponsors:  1stPhorm Go to ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince and Katarina address questions submitted by the audience. They examine how communication gaps between Border Patrol, local sheriffs, and state authorities are affecting enforcement, the growing presence of cartel safe houses inside the U.S., and the role of psychological operations in modern conflicts. The conversation also explores claims of cartel members training abroad, bounties on CBP personnel, and the extent to which U.S. policy and demand contribute to cartel power. Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thisisironclad Sponsors:  1stPhorm Go to ⁠https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland⁠ and get free shipping on any orders over $75, free 30 days in the app for new customers, and 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. DeleteMe Go to https://www.joindeleteme.com/IRONCLAD and use coupon code IRONCLAD, or  scan the QR code TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince welcomes back border expert Jaeson Jones to explore the evolving security landscape in Mexico. Jaeson shares his firsthand experiences embedding with Mexican forces and details how intelligence-led operations and the integration of the National Guard have contributed to a 32% reduction in homicides under the Scheinbaum administration. They discuss Operation Northern Border, the strategic dismantling of cartel infrastructure, and the rise of South American cartels attempting to exploit gaps in Mexico’s drug trade. Jaeson also examines the global nature of smuggling, the challenges posed by outdated laws, and the critical role of collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Marek Health Take control of your health today! Head to https://www.MarekHealth.com and use code FOCALPOINT for 10% off at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Vince sits down with Jordan Goudreau, the former Green Beret and private security contractor behind the infamous Operation Gideon—the 2020 failed coup attempt in Venezuela. Jordan takes us inside the planning, the high-stakes execution, and the moment he realized the mission was unraveling. He also opens up about the legal fallout he’s facing in the U.S., the financial and logistical challenges of running a private operation, and what drove him to take on one of the boldest—and most controversial—missions in recent history. His story is featured in the new documentary, MEN OF WAR https://www.neonrated.com/film/men-of-war Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Pierre Rausini to uncover how drug trafficking, money laundering, and geopolitics collide. They break down Venezuela’s transformation into a trafficker’s haven, the Cartel de Soles’ shadow role within the Venezuelan state, and how synthetic opioids dominate the market. The conversation digs into the sophisticated financial networks that keep cartels alive, the U.S. government’s efforts to disrupt them, and the global power plays that shape who profits and who falls. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode,  Vince welcomes back investigative journalist and host of Borderland: Dispatches, Katarina Szulc, to discuss the latest news around the world of drug cartels and organized crime. They cover recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, cartel operations in Mexico, and the rise of human trafficking. Katarina shares her reporting experiences, including a story about the trafficking of young pregnant women in Juarez. The episode examines the challenges of reporting on organized crime and the broader implications for international security and human rights.  Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Johnny Mitchell, comedian, former trafficker, and host of The Connect with Johnny Mitchell, to go inside the world of drug trafficking and organized crime. Johnny shares his firsthand experiences running operations and embedding with cartel members and sicarios, offering rare insight into how these organizations operate daily. They discuss the evolving global drug market, including California weed being trafficked south, the structure and strategies of cartels, and the cultural and economic factors that sustain them. The conversation also explores the societal impact of the drug trade and the potential effects of legalization and regulation.  Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In this episode, Vince speaks with investigative journalist Seth Harp, author of Fort Bragg Cartel. Harp shares his reporting on the murder of two soldiers at Fort Bragg, the involvement of Delta Force, and the broader history of drug trafficking within the U.S. military. Their conversation explores how cartel ties have affected bases from Fort Bragg to Fort Hood, the toll of drug-related deaths and suicides, and the systemic challenges these cases reveal.  Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original. Sponsors:  visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $100 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Wesley Tabor, a former DEA agent and CIA assignee with over two decades of experience tracking transnational criminal networks. Together, they uncover the hidden power of the Cartel de los Soles, a Venezuelan syndicate that operates at the intersection of organized crime and geopolitics. Wesley explains how the cartel’s deep ties to Venezuela’s military and political elite fuel corruption, enable drug trafficking, and attract the influence of foreign governments like China, Russia, and Iran. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. TacPack  Visit http://www.TacPack.com  and use code IRONCLAD at checkout to get a free $70 tactical gift   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Vince talks with Stefano Ritondale, a military intelligence veteran and journalist behind @All_Source_News, about the changing landscape of organized crime. The episode covers the fragmentation of the Sinaloa cartel, the impact of Mayo Zambada’s upcoming plea deal, and what it could reveal about political corruption in Mexico and the United States. Stefano also explains how cartels are using AI and drones, drawing comparisons to tactics seen in Ukraine, and discusses the growing role of Brazilian gangs in the global drug trade. The conversation explores how these developments affect U.S.–Mexico relations and international security. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared (megaphone only) Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Vince sits down with Steve Robinson, investigative journalist and executive producer of the documentary High Crimes, to discuss his investigation into illegal marijuana grows in Maine. Robinson reveals how many of these operations are controlled by Chinese organized crime, exploiting loopholes in state cannabis laws and using dangerous pesticides that pose health risks. He also examines the connections between these grows, broader drug trafficking networks, political complicity, and the implications for local communities and U.S. national security. Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Vince welcomes back Jay Flores, a former cartel operative who worked directly for the Sinaloa Cartel, to break down the organization's current state and its shifting power structure. Drawing from his firsthand experience inside one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world, Jay discusses internal conflicts, the fallout from recent arrests, and how plea deals and cooperation with law enforcement are disrupting operations. The conversation also explores how political corruption enables cartel activity and what the future may look like for drug trafficking in Mexico and beyond. Since leaving cartel life, Jay has collaborated with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, sharing his knowledge to support anti-cartel efforts and educate the public on the inner workings of organized crime. To learn more about Jay’s work, visit: Website: https://kingpintoeducator.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingpintoeducator Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Vince sits down with political risk analyst Nathaniel Parish Flannery to examine how organized crime and business intersect in Mexico. They discuss the rise of truck hijackings, how cartels influence local economies, and the risks companies face operating in high-conflict areas. Nathaniel also explains why understanding both business and criminal dynamics is key to making sense of Mexico’s paradox: a country that’s both a top exporter and home to some of the world’s most powerful criminal organizations. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared  Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Vince talks to Canadian investigative journalist Sam Cooper about how Canada has quietly become a key hub for transnational organized crime. Cooper explains how Chinese triads, Mexican cartels like Sinaloa and CJNG, and other international networks use Canadian real estate, casinos, and financial systems to launder money and move narcotics. They discuss how encrypted apps, legal loopholes, and limited enforcement have enabled these operations to expand with little resistance. The conversation also explores concerns around foreign interference, national security, and what this means for both U.S. and Canadian border policy. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared  Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, counterterrorism expert Dr. Matthew Levitt pulls back the curtain on Hezbollah’s global operations—from its origins as an Iranian-backed militia to its drug trafficking and money laundering activities across Latin America. Levitt, a former FBI analyst and Treasury official, is one of the world’s leading experts on Hezbollah. As Director of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Program at The Washington Institute, he explains how Hezbollah targets Americans, exploits free trade zones, and partners with drug cartels to fund terror. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:  1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared  Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Vince sits down with former Green Beret Scott Mann to examine the growing intersection between cartel violence and terrorist tactics. Drawing from his Special Forces background and work on Operation Pineapple Express, Scott breaks down how Mexican cartels are evolving into insurgent-style networks with increasing reach and sophistication.  The conversation explores the blurred lines between organized crime and terrorism, the vulnerabilities at the U.S. border, and the importance of identifying early warning signs in both rural and urban communities. Scott also reflects on lessons learned during the Afghanistan withdrawal, the vetting of allies, and how those experiences relate to the current challenges facing U.S. national security. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after purchase) 110% money-back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared  Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Vince speaks with Alex Szinnyev, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and security professional with 13 years of experience in military service, government contracting, executive protection, and weapons instruction. In July, Alex is scheduled to face trial for human smuggling charges after a transport operation he believed was affiliated with a church turned out to involve undocumented migrants. Alex shares his account of what happened—how he was contacted, what he was told, and why he believed the operation was legitimate. He says those who recruited him claimed to be moving refugees and even provided church references and documentation. According to Alex, he later learned that some of the individuals involved in organizing the transport had previously worked under Operation Lone Star—the controversial Texas state initiative aimed at curbing illegal immigration. He discusses the confusion this created, the legal jeopardy he's now facing, and the personal and professional fallout, including the loss of his career, security clearance, and the impact on his family and future. To support Alex, visit: https://linktr.ee/fortressnotafelon and https://www.givesendgo.com/fightingforAlex Sponsors: 1stPhorm visit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderland Free shipping through this link on any orders over $75 Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase) 110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! AmmoSquared  Visit https://ammosquared.com/ today for a special offer and keep yourself fully stocked. With over 100,000 members and thousands of 5-star ratings, Your readiness is their mission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with former California corrections lieutenant Hector Bravo to break down what he says is a growing crisis inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).Bravo, who served 16 years in the system, alleges how shifts in policy—including the “Agreement to End Hostilities” and the merging of general population with protective custody inmates—have led to rising violence, weakened accountability, and expanded control by organized gangs and cartels.The conversation covers the so-called “72-hour rule,” increased attacks on correctional staff, and how political agendas may be driving dangerous decisions at the top. Bravo also shares his personal experience walking away from a career in corrections after witnessing what he describes as a culture of silence and self-preservation at the expense of safety.Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Sponsors:1stPhormvisit: https://www.1stphorm.com/borderlandFree shipping through this link on any orders over $75Free 30 days in the app for new customers (offer comes via email after the purchase)110% money back guarantee on all of our products. We believe fully in our products. If you don’t love the product or you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, let us know and we’ll give you your money back … plus 10%! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices