Cool Mules | Canadaland Investigates

Episode 4: You Should Be Thankful

Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host: Kasia Mihailovic

Overview

In the fourth episode of Cool Mules, Canadaland delves deep into a harrowing true-crime story set within the corridors of Vice Media. This episode unpacks how Vice editor Slava P orchestrated an elaborate $20 million cocaine smuggling operation, leveraging his position to recruit young journalists unsuspectingly into international crime. The investigation reveals the intricate web of deceit, the subsequent fallout within Vice, and raises critical questions about corporate responsibility and journalistic integrity.

The Smuggling Scheme Unfolds

The story begins with the recruitment tactics employed by Slava P, a Vice editor who approached young journalists with enticing job offers. Instead of freelance writing opportunities, these offers were a front for recruiting individuals to transport cocaine into Australia.

Notable Quote:

"Before any of the smugglers even got to Las Vegas to pick up the cocaine... It was decided that he'd hand one off to Robert Wang."
— Justin Ling, [02:00]

Slava's plan involved multiple participants, each handling portions of the transport. However, the operation was fraught with complications from the start. A key recruit failed to cross the Canadian-American border, leaving Slava to manage the bulk of the transport alone, which made the operation highly conspicuous.

Notable Quote:

"When the remaining five got to Las Vegas, they picked up the luggage from strangers in the parking lots of their hot hotels."
— Justin Ling, [02:00]

Despite meticulous planning with brand-new Samsonite suitcases equipped with secret compartments, the operation unraveled at customs in Australia. Border guards detected 81 bricks of high-purity cocaine, leading to the arrest and sentencing of all five smugglers just before Christmas 2015.

Notable Quote:

"All five had their bags X-rayed and then the linings cut open. This revealed a total of 81 bricks of high purity cocaine."
— Justin Ling, [02:00]

Slava’s Evasion Tactics

Following the bust, Slava quickly realized the scheme was compromised. Faced with imminent repercussions, he entered a survival mode, concerned about both legal consequences and his career at Vice.

Notable Quote:

"When you don't get that text, you know that shit has hit the fan... I'm just survival mode."
— Slava, [05:19]

To divert suspicion, Slava orchestrated anonymous emails implicating other Vice employees, including his colleague Justin Ling. This tactic successfully deflected immediate scrutiny from Vice's management, allowing him to temporarily retain his position despite the scandal.

Notable Quote:

"If somebody puts a gun to your head and says, if you don't take this to fucking Sydney, I'm gonna kill your family, you're taking it to Sydney."
— Jordan Gardner, [03:24]

Internal Fallout at Vice

As rumors and anonymous accusations spread within Vice, the company's management responded inadequately. Initial internal investigations by Vice did not thoroughly address the depth of the criminal activities, leading to persistent skepticism among employees and external observers.

Notable Quote:

"Vice was wanted its employees and the public to have their sole statement about this entire affair provided to the National Post."
— Justin Ling, [22:30]

Jake Kavash, a Vice intern who had declined involvement in the smuggling, became a pivotal source in exposing the truth. His efforts to reveal the scandal were met with hostility and professional isolation, highlighting a toxic corporate culture that prioritized reputation over transparency.

Notable Quote:

"I guess I quit, because I'm not going to stay working here for $15 an hour and feel like everyone in the office doesn't like me because I exposed what was happening."
— Paige Deserva, [34:31]

Media and Public Reaction

The investigation by Justin Ling and Adrian Humphries at the National Post brought the Vice scandal to national attention. Their persistent reporting, despite internal pushback, underscored significant lapses in Vice's handling of internal crimes and their reluctance to engage in self-scrutiny.

Vice's official statement claimed swift action and cooperation with authorities, but inconsistencies and lack of evidence, such as the absence of police reports, fueled doubts about their internal processes and commitment to ethical journalism.

Notable Quote:

"None of the people we spoke to... could tell us that they had been asked whether they had been approached or even accepted."
— Jake Kavash, [23:17]

Conclusion and Reflections

Cool Mules wraps up by reflecting on the broader implications of the Vice scandal. It questions the susceptibility of media organizations to internal corruption and the challenges in maintaining journalistic integrity amidst corporate pressures. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of power dynamics within media institutions and the dire consequences of betrayal and deceit.

Notable Quote:

"The only way we are able to do that is because our listeners support us."
— Jesse Brown, [08:17]

Key Takeaways

• Corporate Responsibility: Vice's inadequate response to internal criminal activities raises critical concerns about accountability within media organizations.

• Journalistic Integrity: The bravery of individuals like Jake Kavash in exposing the truth underscores the importance of investigative journalism in holding powerful entities accountable.

• Power Dynamics: Slava's manipulation of Vice's system illustrates how internal power structures can be exploited for personal gain, leading to severe legal and ethical breaches.

Notable Moments with Timestamps

• 02:00 – Justin Ling outlines the initial phases of the smuggling operation and its eventual fallout.

• 03:24 – Jordan Gardner describes the coercive tactics used to enforce participation in the smuggling scheme.

• 05:19 – Slava discusses his realization that the operation has been compromised and his ensuing panic.

• 22:30 – Justin Ling critiques Vice's handling of internal accusations and their impact on the investigation.

• 34:31 – Paige Deserva shares her experience of professional isolation and retaliation after exposing the scandal.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Cool Mules not only unravels a gripping tale of crime within a prestigious media company but also prompts listeners to ponder the ethical obligations of organizations in safeguarding their integrity. Through meticulous reporting and compelling narratives, Canadaland sheds light on the dark underbelly of Vice Media, offering a sobering reminder of the fragility of trust and the paramount importance of accountability.

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