Project Thor: It Was Working Against Cartels—So the Government Shut It Down (Pete Forcelli Returns)
On today's episode, Vince welcomes back former ATF Deputy Assistant Director and Operation Fast and Furious whistleblower, Pete Forcelli, to discuss Project Thor.
Project Thor was a multi-agency initiative led by the ATF from 2018 to 2020, designed to disrupt the illegal flow of firearms from the U.S. to Mexican cartels. It targeted trafficking networks tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), using straw buyers, couriers, and financial investigations to cut off cartel access to weapons. The operation supported 76 cases and identified key trafficking routes—but despite its success, it was quietly defunded in 2022.
Forcelli also shares insights on the internal politics of the ATF, the legal hurdles in prosecuting trafficking cases, and what the future holds for federal efforts to combat cartel-related violence.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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44:18
Kentucky's MASSIVE CJNG Money Laundering Operation? Did a Cattle Farm Help Launder Cartel Billions?
To read a copy of the death investigation, CLICK: HERE
In this episode of Borderland: NARCOSIS, Vince sits down with Jon Griggs to discuss an ongoing federal investigation into a cattle farm Ponzi scheme that has already been classified as fraud by the FBI. With a background in law enforcement, Griggs shares how the case began with inflated cattle counts and investor losses—but quickly revealed something much larger.
As Griggs alleges, the scheme appears to be just one piece of a broader and more complex puzzle, potentially tied to a money laundering network connected to the CJNG (Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación) operating within the U.S. The conversation explores how banks may have unknowingly—or knowingly—facilitated these operations, the systemic failures that allowed the fraud to continue, and the emotional toll on victims. Griggs also talks about the fear of retaliation, missed warning signs, and the ongoing effort to trace the full scope of the operation.
BORDERLAND is an IRONCLAD Original
Borderland
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54:12
How Chinese Organized Crime is Shaping America's Black Markets (Ray Donovan Returns)
On today’s episode, Vince welcomes back Ray Donovan, former DEA Chief of Operations with more than 26 years of experience targeting global criminal organizations. Together, they unpack what the FTO (Foreign Terrorist Organization) designation could mean for China and Chinese organized crime, examine the rise of black market marijuana in the U.S., and discuss whether legalization could help dismantle the illicit trade.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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Watch Change Agents: Black Project, a 4 part mini series, weekly on Tuesdays or Binge all 4 episodes of now by becoming a member on Youtube:
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48:33
Delta Force Veteran Breaks Down What It Means to Fight Cartels as Terrorists (with Brent Tucker)
On today’s episode, Vince sits down with Brent Tucker, a former Green Beret and Delta Force operator with over 20 years of experience in U.S. Special Operations.
They discuss what a U.S. military response to the cartels could look like, including the use of drone warfare, urban combat tactics, and cross-border operations. Brent also shares insights on corruption in Mexico, risk aversion in military leadership, and how special operations units assess threats in complex environments.
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50:57
CIA Whistleblower Exposes the Agency’s Role in the Drug Trade (with John Kiriakou)
On today's episode, Vince sits down with John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer and whistleblower, to uncover the shocking truths behind the U.S. government's involvement in the war on drugs. Kiriakou, who spent over a decade in the CIA, is best known for blowing the whistle on the CIA’s use of torture following the 9/11 attacks, which ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment. His career within the CIA gives him a unique perspective on the agency's covert operations and its complicated relationship with drug cartels.
Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original
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O Borderland: NARCOSIS with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas
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, from human trafficking and the drug trade to extortion and corruption embedded at every level of society. An IRONCLAD Original
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