Chicano Squad

Up Against the Mob is CAFE’s six-episode series, hosted by former prosecutor Elie Honig, that lifts the veil on the world of the mafia and law enforcement’s efforts to bring mobsters to justice.  Episode 1 tells the story of Michael Visconti. Once a rising star in the Genovese crime family, Visconti decided to leave the mafia and become a cooperating government witness. Visconti opens up to Elie Honig about his life and rise in the mob — how he first got mixed up with the mafia, the violent crimes he committed, and his decision to flip against his mob “family.”   Up Against the Mob is produced by CAFE Studios and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Binge the whole season now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Forty years after it was founded, the Chicano Squad was almost completely forgotten. In our final episode, a look at how a dedicated few made sure the Squad's legacy would live on, and questions about what we can learn from them today. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

After twenty years, the Chicano Squad had an extraordinary 91% clearance rate. But there were some cases where justice eluded even them. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

Bobby Gatewood used to be one of the Chicano Squad’s stars, until temptations led him to make bad choices that got him suspended indefinitely. Benched and in financial free fall, how far will Bobby go to try and change his fortune? Take our listener survey here; thanks!

The Chicano Squad has handled cartels, kidnappings, and cop killers. But can they handle corruption from within? Take our listener survey here; thanks!

When two little girls go missing in Texas, only 11 days apart, it’s a race against the clock to bring them home safely. One will have the attention of the entire country - the other has the Chicano Squad. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

Officer Jaime Escalante’s tenacious investigative style and work with confidential informants has earned him the fear and respect of the Colombian cartels. But when a police officer is murdered, finding the killers will mean more than just going up against drug dealers – he’ll have to stand up to other police officers, too. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

Just when the Squad has begun to make real headway against the murders plaguing Houston’s Latino neighborhoods, a new, more sinister threat emerges. The Cartels have arrived in Houston - and they’re leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

On their first day, the six Latino police officers who will become the Chicano Squad are handed a stack of fifty-two whodunits. These are murder cases with no leads and no hope. Until now. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

Growing up in the barrio, with brothers on the wrong side of the law, Cecil Mosqueda had every reason to distrust the police. He became a cop to try and show his family there was a different way. But in the wake of José Campos Torres’ death, his loyalties to his community and his brothers in blue will be tested like never before. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

When the officers involved in the drowning of José Campos Torres get off with little more than a slap on the wrist and a dollar fine, racial tensions explode at a Cinco de Mayo celebration that will come to be known as the Moody Park Riot. With trust between the Latino community and Houston’s police destroyed and a rising number of unsolved homicides affecting Spanish-speaking Houstonians, the Houston Police Department needs to try something new. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

In 1977, the body of 23-year-old veteran José Campos Torres was discovered in the waters of Buffalo Bayou. The city of Houston would never be the same. Take our listener survey here; thanks!

Five young officers. Hundreds of homicides. A city on the brink. Chicano Squad begins Tuesday, January 5th.