Macrodosing: The Business of Cartels – Power, Politics, and Profit

February 26, 2026
Hosts: Big T, Chief, Jersey Jerry (PFT & Arian Foster absent)

Overview

This episode of Macrodosing takes a deep dive into the world of Mexican drug cartels—exploring their organization, influence, business tactics, and the far-reaching tentacles of their power. The conversation is equal parts irreverent and inquisitive, touching on the cartels’ violence, their infiltration into legitimate enterprises (like avocados), and the difficulties the Mexican government and the US face in confronting them. The guys also brainstorm what it would actually take to land an interview with a cartel member at a Mexican resort—and make a live call to a real hotel to see how feasible their wild idea might be.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Cartels & the Power Structure (54:12 – 63:05)

• El Mencho & the Jalisco New Generation Cartel

  • Recent news of El Mencho’s death, as he was found and killed following a tip involving his lover (56:22–56:36).
  • Cartels are characterized as “unimaginably evil,” with methods that shock even the hosts. Example: crematoriums and hundreds of victim shoes found at El Mencho’s compound (56:48–57:07).
  • Cartels are not only well-armed but have “rocket launchers, American weapons—everything.” (57:07–57:12)

• Weapons and US Involvement

  • 80% of guns found with Mexican cartels traced to America (57:12–57:19).
  • Discussion of Fast and Furious, the failed US sting allowing guns to be sold to cartel-linked buyers in hopes of tracking them (58:45–60:26).

"It would appear the cartels." – Big T (59:07)

"You know what might have been a better version of that? Just don't do that." – Big T (59:40)

• Black Markets & How Cartels Operate

  • Cartels get weapons and drugs through complex cross-border operations, often with indirect government complicity or strategic negligence (60:26–61:14).

• Public Relations & Cartel Influence

  • Cartels control not only illicit trades but also legitimate businesses like avocados, and use PR to maintain a favorable image in local communities (84:08–85:21).

II. Cartels’ Integration with Tourism & Local Business (67:04–68:48)

• Cartels run much of Mexico's economy, including resorts
  • Tourist safety: “The resorts, you’ll never have a problem—because they’re run by the cartels.” – Chief (67:08–67:16)
  • Resort areas are profitable, so cartels ensure tourists are safe to keep money flowing (67:16–67:27).
  • Cartels dig trenches and create blockades during times of unrest, showing control over infrastructure (66:39–67:04).

III. Cartel Interview Stunt—An On-Air Plan (70:00–79:27)

• Live hotel call: Can the guys interview a cartel member at a resort?
  • The crew hatches a plan to contact a resort in Puerto Vallarta and openly proposes bringing a Barstool video crew to interview a cartel representative on camera—with faces blurred and voices altered for safety (70:00–71:11, 72:25–76:11).
  • The hotel staff doesn’t immediately shut it down, leaving the (half-joking) door open.

“We're interested in, you know, staying at your place of business... possibly having the opportunity to interview a cartel member.” – Jersey Jerry (73:35)

• Discussing risk, ethics, and value
  • The hosts joke about how risky the project is (“What are the chances of being murdered?” 81:41–82:33), but also note the value in hearing the cartels' own story and the potential viral reach.

IV. Weapons, Business, Corruption (58:07–61:41)

• US government operations

  • Fast and Furious was a failed attempt to track cartel weapons sales.
  • Problem: Letting guns be sold allowed violence to escalate without resulting in major busts.

• Black-market economics

  • Cartels diversify, taking over avocado farms (85:05–85:13) and laundering money through legitimate channels.
  • Corruption in politics and law enforcement is pervasive.

V. The “Cartel PR Interview”—Would They Do It?

(76:39–83:36)

• The crew debates what gift to bring (“What do you get the cartel that has everything?” – Chief, 83:08).
• They half-seriously plot logistics: five-star resort, pre-approved questions, paying for the privilege, and even estimate the odds of being killed on such a trip.
• Discussion on Mexican tourism: "You get there and just go to the concierge, because ultimately whoever is managing that hotel, they're in the cartel." (71:32)

Notable Quotes

"They're misunderstood." – Chief, on the cartel’s potential PR motive (78:14)

"There's an argument to be made... good content makes it a good idea." – Big T (81:36)

Notable Humorous Asides & Quotes

• “That would be a pretty funny video if you and I went to Puerto Vallarta right now and we just checked into a resort.” – Chief (70:12)
• “You just go to the concierge because ultimately whoever is managing that hotel, they're in the cartel.” – Big T (71:32)
• “Our deaths would be reduced to content.” – Chief (78:26)

Additional Segments: Pop Culture, Sports, and Lifestyle (42:00–54:12)

While the first half of the show is dominated by lighter discussions (sports, city living, movie talk), the vibe is classic Macrodosing:

• Hockey & the State of the Union
  • Extended talk on Connor Hellebuyck and the value of a Stanley Cup vs. Olympic gold (18:00–21:29)
• Conspiracy & US History
  • Project Artichoke and CIA mind control: context on how the US government has tested mass control measures in the past (27:36–30:17)
• Consumer-Tech Paranoia
  • Security flaws in “smart” vacuums and fears about constant surveillance (21:31–24:01)

Key Timestamps

• 54:12 – Cartel segment begins; recent news about El Mencho's death
• 56:48 – Crematoriums and evidence of mass killings
• 58:45 – 'Fast and Furious' gun running operation discussed
• 66:39 – Cartel roadblocks and control of infrastructure
• 67:08 – Cartels ensuring tourist safety (as a business investment)
• 70:00 – Stunt: calling a real Puerto Vallarta hotel about arranging a cartel interview
• 72:25 – Hotel call continues; no immediate rejection
• 73:35 – Outlining the bold plan to hotel staff
• 78:26 – Hosts joke about their potential death becoming “content”
• 84:08 – Discussion of cartel involvement in avocado farming/trade

Memorable Moments

• The live, on-tape attempt to arrange a cartel interview at a luxury resort (70:00–76:11).
• Candid risk assessment of such a project: “I’d say in total 15%.” – Chief, fatality odds (81:54)
• Cartel-PR banter: “Just tell us how we got it all wrong while we stay at a five-star resort.” (84:24)
• Reflecting the hosts’ genuine mix of curiosity, irreverence, and self-awareness about “dosing” knowledge on tough topics.

Conclusion

This episode is a wild and insightful ride—equal parts true crime, business analysis, travelogue, and Barstool bro-comedy. The crew demystifies cartel operations, shines a skeptical light on US involvement in the drug war, and ponders the unique dynamics of cartel power. Most memorably, their on-air effort to arrange first-person access to cartel leadership blends Macrodosing’s trademark blend of audacity and humor. The episode is rounded out by pop culture debates, lighter city-life anecdotes, and the ever-present drive for “good content”—even if it means risking (hypothetically?) life and limb.

For listeners interested in cartels, organized crime, black-market economics, or just smart, audacious podcasting, this episode delivers a memorable macrodose.