How a Cartel Gold Mine Was Taken Back — What It Reveals About Mexico’s Drug War episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 2, 2026 · 59 MIN

How a Cartel Gold Mine Was Taken Back — What It Reveals About Mexico’s Drug War

from Borderland: Narcosis with Vincent 'Rocco' Vargas · host IRONCLAD

On today’s episode, Vince sits down with investigative journalist Steve Fisher, based in Mexico City, to discuss organized crime and security in Mexico. They examine Fisher’s reporting on a cartel-controlled gold mine in Sonora, U.S.–Mexico security cooperation, recent extraditions, cartel power shifts, and the evolving tactics shaping today’s drug war. Borderland is an IRONCLAD Original Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (04:21) - How a Cartel Gold Mine was Reclaimed (17:25)- Why Cartels Maintain Power in Mexico (19:50) - Mexico’s Most Recent Extraditions of Cartel Leaders to US (23:38) - President Sheimbaum’s Approach to Cartels and US Relations (32:12) - Cartels as Integrated Ecomomic and Social Entities (39:48) - The US’s Role and Responsibility in Drug Trafficking Networks (44:35) - Drone Warfare: Cartels’ Most Intimidating Tactic (47:56) - From Special Forces to Training to El Mencho and CJNG’s Evolution Sponsors: 1st Phorm: 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. GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/BORDERLAND and use code BORDERLAND for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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How a Cartel Gold Mine Was Taken Back — What It Reveals About Mexico’s Drug War

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This episode was published on February 2, 2026.

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