On February 15, 2011, members of the Zetas drug cartel attacked two agents from ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. One of them, Jaime Zapata, was killed. The other, Victor Avila, survived. Here he tells his story.

CrimeWar

CrimeWar 0006 - The U.S. Agent Who Survived An Attack By The Zetas Cartel

This is an interview I conducted in 2019 with former Mexican President Felipe Calderón for my book Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartel.  I am releasing the audio of the interview today to coincide with the release of the book, which you can find from all good booksellers, in print, kindle or as an audio book. I interviewed former President Calderón, who ruled Mexico from 2006 to 2012, especially to ask about his attempts to fight firearms trafficking from the United States, and how much he knew about Fast and Furious - a botched operation by the ATF to follow firearms being smuggled by the cartels. However, the interview also goes into detail about former President Calderón&apos;s crackdown on drug cartels, the accusations of corruption, the death of his Interior Secretary in a mysterious plane crash and much more. 

CrimeWar 0005 - Exclusive With Mexico's Former Pesident Felipe Calderón

This is a debate with my friend and fellow writer Malcolm Beith, author The Last Narco, about whether the War on Drugs, which turns 50 last year, will change under Biden-Harris. I argue that there is hope and opportunity for a deescalation. He argues they will ramp it up.

CrimeWar 0004 - Malcolm Beith on Will Biden Change The War On Drugs?

Following the arrest of ex Mexican defense minister General Cienfuegos, I have a very late night chat with Mike Vigil, who served decades in the DEA, going undercover with traffickers. He was the longest serving agent in Mexico and also went to Central America and Colombia and arrested major traffickers. He reveals fascinating details about arrest of Cienfuegos and his time working with the Mexican security forces.

CrimeWar 0003 - DEA's Mike Vigil on Mexican General's Drug Arrest

I talk with legendary Mexican journalist Temoris Grecko about his new book Killing The Story, looking at the incessant attacks on Mexican journalists. More than 150 journalists have been murdered in Mexico since 2000, putting it alongside Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan as the most perilous countries in the world for the trade. We talk about the impunity, journalists fighting on, solutions, fears and hope. The book can be found at: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Killing-Story-Journalists-Risking-Uncover/dp/1620975025CW_0006

CrimeWar 0002 - Temoris Grecko on Mexico Journalist Murders

There&apos;s a crazy story of what could be the biggest boxing fight in history, with a purse of $200 million per fight, of Tyson Fury against Anthony Joshua for 2021 and the involvement of an Irish crime family linked to trafficking cocaine and heroin into Europe. I talk to Nicola Tallant, crime editor of Ireland&apos;s Sunday World who has been following Irish gangsters for two decades.CrimeWar0002Thanks to Leon Ricciardi and Jazzology for beats.

CrimeWar 0001 - Nicola Tallant on Irish Mafia Boxing

CrimeWar looks at crime, drugs, cartels, gangs and related issues round the globe, with a special focus on the U.S., Mexico and Latin America. Host Ioan Grillo is an award winning journalist and author of El Narco and Gangster Warlords.

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CrimeWar

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