Cool Mules | Canadaland Investigates
Episode 2: Move That Dope
Release Date: June 11, 2025

Introduction: Unveiling the Dark Underbelly of Vice

In the gripping second episode of Cool Mules, hosted by Canadaland's investigative team, listeners are plunged into a harrowing tale of deception, exploitation, and crime within the esteemed media company Vice. The episode meticulously dissects how Slava Pastuk, a Vice editor, manipulated young journalists into participating in a high-stakes cocaine smuggling operation targeting Australia.

The Proposition: Slava's Recruitment Strategy
Timestamp: [02:16]

Jake Kivansch, a budding journalist and Vice intern, candidly begins the narrative:

“I didn't really understand anything until I was propositioned myself.” - Jake Kivansch [02:16]

Slava Pastuk, introduced as a former Vice editor now facing drug conspiracy charges, recounts his initial interaction with Jake:

“He said that I would need to travel to Las Vegas for a week and then I would travel to Australia for a week. I travel back to Canada, and all I had to do was bring a suitcase. And then when I got back to Canada, they paid me 10,000 Canadian.” - Jake Kivansch [02:40]

This proposition appeared innocuous at first, masking a sinister agenda behind the façade of lucrative rewards.

The Operation: Mechanics of the Smuggling Scheme
Timestamp: [06:42]

Slava details the smuggling operation, emphasizing its purported "foolproof" design:

“Canadian couples first went to Vegas, where they were met by a contact who provided them with suitcases containing hidden compartments... they needed a steady flow of new bodies to make the trips. They needed mules.” - Slava Pastuk [07:55]

Mia Johnson, another participant, elaborates on the daily execution:

“They would send a guy and a girl from Canada into America. While they're in America, they would meet up with another party who would give them a new set of luggage, replacing their existing luggage with a new set of luggage, which was lined with what we assumed at the time was cocaine and it ended up being cocaine.” - Mia Johnson [06:42]

The operation exploited individuals’ financial desperation, promising easy money in exchange for their unwitting involvement in international drug trafficking.

Participants' Reactions: Temptation and Ethical Dilemmas
Timestamp: [08:28]

Mia reflects on her initial motivations:

“At first, coming into this, I wasn't. I didn't have money... I thought, this sounds like easy money. This sounds like a no risk, all reward type of scheme.” - Mia Johnson [08:57]

Jake shares his internal conflict:

“I almost did it... I was broke. I trusted this guy... I was looking for tons of people's approval and advice, but I just didn't want to... I didn't want to be the person to appear, like, not up to the job in front of Slava.” - Jake Kivansch [31:03]

Both journalists grappled with the allure of financial relief against the moral and legal repercussions of their potential actions.

The Workplace Culture at Vice: A Realm of Ambiguity and Pressure
Timestamp: [34:37]

Jake criticizes the ambiguous ethical guidelines at Vice:

“Everything's so ambiguous. Like there's no ethics or guidelines for yourself, really. And so there's no ethics and guidelines for other people.” - Jake Kivansch [34:53]

Slava's recruitment tactics exploited this lack of clarity, presenting illicit activities under the guise of professional opportunities, thereby pressuring interns into compliance.

Consequences and Realizations: The Turning Point
Timestamp: [36:18]

As pressure mounts, Jake confesses the isolation he felt:

“Carrying Slava's secret felt really lonely. But then... I asked if you'd ever traffic drugs for $10,000? Instantly, three people looked towards me and said, Slava.” - Jake Kivansch [37:00]

This revelation underscores the widespread manipulation within the workplace, highlighting how Slava targeted vulnerable individuals to sustain his smuggling operation.

Aftermath: Legal Repercussions and Personal Fallout
Timestamp: [43:43]

The episode reveals that Slava’s actions led to significant legal consequences:

“Slava pled guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine to Australia.” - Slava Pastuk [12:22]

Participants like Jake and Mia emerged with profound regrets and a deeper understanding of the complexities within their professional environment.

Conclusions and Insights: A Cautionary Tale
Final Remarks: [43:50]

Cool Mules concludes by emphasizing the ripple effects of Slava's exploitation:

“There's people who now have suffered, who've lost all the time that I've had since. To think about it, they've just sat in a jail.” - Jake Kivansch [43:43]

The episode serves as a stark warning about the perils of workplace manipulation and the devastating impact of unethical leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Exploitation of Vulnerability: Slava Pastuk leveraged the financial desperation and ambition of young journalists to facilitate a large-scale drug smuggling operation.

• Ambiguous Ethical Standards: Vice's unclear ethical guidelines created a permissive environment, enabling Slava's illicit activities to flourish unchecked.

• Personal Dilemmas: Participants faced intense moral conflicts, torn between the promise of financial gain and the knowledge of engaging in criminal behavior.

• Legal and Personal Repercussions: The fallout from the operation led to legal consequences for Slava and lasting emotional and professional impacts on those involved.

Notable Quotes:

• Jake Kivansch [02:16]: “I didn't really understand anything until I was propositioned myself.”

• Mia Johnson [08:57]: “This sounds like easy money. This sounds like a no risk, all reward type of scheme.”

• Jake Kivansch [34:53]: “Everything's so ambiguous. Like there's no ethics or guidelines for yourself, really.”

Conclusion:

Cool Mules masterfully unravels a complex web of deceit and moral compromise within Vice, offering listeners a compelling narrative that underscores the importance of ethical standards and the dire consequences of their absence. This episode not only sheds light on the specific case of Slava Pastuk but also serves as a broader commentary on workplace culture and personal integrity.