How a Cartel Gold Mine Was Taken Back — What It Reveals About Mexico’s Drug War
Mon Feb 02 2026
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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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