LAW AND BORDER WITH BEN BERGQUAM - NOVEMBER 11TH, 2025

Summary

Law and Border with Ben Bergquam – November 11th, 2025

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Ben Bergquam
Date: November 12, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Law and Border plunges into the heart of cartel-controlled territories in Sinaloa, Mexico. Joined by local journalist Aaron Ibarra and friend Oscar Blue Ramirez, host Ben Bergquam provides a gripping, first-hand account of the daily violence, corruption, and fear that plague these communities. The episode explores the impact of the cartel wars on ordinary citizens, government complicity, and the shocking normalization of brutality. Through interviews and on-the-ground reporting, the team exposes the devastating real-life consequences of failed governance, the reach of cartel networks, and how this chaos has ripple effects for the United States.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Context: Entering Culiacán – The Cartel Epicenter

Timestamp: 00:46 – 01:31

• The team heads deep into Culiacán, Sinaloa—“one of the most dangerous places in Mexico”—home of the Sinaloa cartel and a deadly war between El Mayo and Chapito factions.
• Evidence of violence permeates daily life: “Right here you can see the bullet holes.” (A, 00:54)
• “A block away from here, a human head was left on the sidewalk.” (A, 01:16)

2. Daily Life in a War Zone

Timestamp: 02:14 – 03:39

• Local reporter Aaron Ibarra explains that 37 people were killed by gun violence in just the previous week, mostly tied to cartel battles.
• The impact on civilians is severe; formerly busy streets are deserted due to fear.
• “Little by little, we’re kind of getting maybe tired of this violence...people are trying to get back [to] their own lives. But it’s kind of hard.” (D, 02:42)

3. Violence Reaches Everywhere—No One is Safe

Timestamp: 03:39 – 05:09

• Even exclusive neighborhoods see shootouts with automatic weapons.
• Aaron discusses the risks journalists and influencers face: “With the past years...one of the sides might think you are supporting the other side. So it’s kind of dangerous and bold to say.” (D, 04:28)

4. Cartels' Economic and Cultural Penetration

Timestamp: 06:11 – 07:23

• Cartels launder money through entertainment, influencers, small businesses, music, slot machines, and more.
• “You’ve got to be careful who you support, ‘cause your money might be going to supporting the cartels directly, huh?” (A, 06:42)
• Influencers sometimes become victims, “bought off by the cartels.” (A, 05:09)

5. Societal Fear and the Power of the Cartels

Timestamp: 07:23 – 08:44

• Lookouts (“punteros”) on motorcycles are omnipresent, keeping tabs for cartel factions.
• Cartel intimidation includes flying banners warning residents not to support rival-affiliated influencers.

6. The Everyday Trauma of Cartel Dominance

Timestamp: 09:07 – 10:29

• Shrines to Santa Muerte (“patron saint of death”) and mausoleums for cartel bosses are visible everywhere.
• “It’s nothing shy of a cartel war zone on these city streets. And if we’re not careful, the same thing could happen in America.” (C, 09:08)
• “The people actually trying to make a legitimate living are screwed.” (A, 08:44)

7. Government Crackdowns and U.S. Policy Impact

Timestamp: 10:29 – 14:34

• After policy pressure from President Trump, the Mexican federal military (Guardia Nacional, SEMAR, SEDENA) ramped up operations, securing hundreds of “narcolabs.”
• Despite increased law enforcement, the systemic issue persists: “You capture this kingpin, or two kingpins...and nothing is solved. There are still people running the cartel. But there is zero politicians behind bars. I mean, isn’t that strange?” (D, 14:14)
• “Of course [they’re paid off]. But we could prove that if we followed the money...They’re just making these arrests. Small arrests. So it’s all for show.” (A & D, 14:22–14:34)

8. Civilian Suffering and Economic Collapse

Timestamp: 15:21 – 18:21

• The violence destroys community life, business, and economic stability. Entire neighborhoods are “paralyzed.”
• “So the rich are the politicians, the district attorneys, the judges. They’re all getting rich from drugs and human trafficking. And the people actually trying to make a legitimate living are screwed.” (A, 17:39)

9. Mass Kidnappings & Disappearances: Loss of Innocence

Timestamp: 20:30 – 25:59

• The team documents mourning families protesting kidnappings and disappearances—thousands missing each year, many children.
• “Just in Culiacán last year, we have 600 people that are missing and zero people behind bars or in jail because of those crimes.” (D, 23:55)
• “All these ribbons represent people missing. Over a thousand just in this area last year. Missing with 0% accountability for the cartels.” (A, 22:40)

10. Society Degraded—Faith, Superstition, and Cartel Worship

Timestamp: 27:49 – 29:43

• The spread of Santa Muerte shrines signals the abandonment of traditional faith; violence and demonic symbolism replace hope.
• Mausoleums for cartel bosses are described as “monuments honoring some of the most evil people that have ever existed on our planet.” (A, 19:35)

11. Towns Destroyed, Culture Undermined

Timestamp: 28:36 – 32:58

• The vacation town of Imala is now a “ghost town” due to cartel warfare, as military occupation replaces peace.
• “Where the cartels are, there is no peace...Because of violence, because of criminal activity and because of the corruption, they never break out.” (A, 31:21)

12. Governmental Corruption and Safe Havens

Timestamp: 32:58 – 34:55

• The Sinaloa governor is rumored to be collaborating with Los Chapitos, hiding in government offices rather than facing the people’s plight.
• “He is afraid to come back to his house because of the heat of the city.” (D, 34:06)
• “He’s protected while the citizens have to live in the violence that he’s helped create.” (A, 34:41)

13. Normalization of Brutality

Timestamp: 36:15 – 40:48

• National Guardmen are ambushed and killed; bullet-ridden buildings are common.
• “Just to put it in perspective, there’s been over 1600 kidnappings this year in Sinaloa. Zero prosecutions. Zero.” (A, 36:29)
• “Death isn’t the biggest fear. A bigger fear is the fear of going missing and nobody knowing what’s happened to you.” (A, 37:41)

14. Culture, Fear, and Hopelessness

Timestamp: 39:23 – 40:48

• Musicians perform outside since venues are too dangerous. The threat of violence—like beheading—is public and constant.
• “A block away from here, a human head was left on the sidewalk. Imagine that. Imagine raising your kids not knowing if there was going to be a human head left out on the sidewalk in the morning.” (A, 40:19)

15. The “Trump Effect” at the Border

Timestamp: 41:17 – 42:03

• As the team leaves Mexico, they observe increased National Guard and security checkpoints, attributed to pressure from former President Trump.
• “It’s amazing what happens when you have a president and an administration that put America first.” (C, 41:49)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On pervasive cartel corruption:
  “Every level of government is corrupted by the cartel.” (A, 13:48)
• On kidnapping and punishment:
  “Just in Culiacán last year, we have 600 people that are missing and zero people behind bars or in jail because of those crimes.” (D, 23:55)
• On continual suffering:
  “We are talking about like almost seven months in a constant war...every day.” (D, 17:54)
• On the normalization of fear:
  “People live in such fear, it’s like living with Stockholm syndrome.” (A, 37:41)
• On government hypocrisy:
  “He’s protected while the citizens have to live in the violence that he’s helped create.” (A, 34:41)
• On the spread of cartel culture:
  “These are the size of houses, some of these [mausoleums], and they are simply monuments to the cartel. Some of the most evil people that have ever existed on our planet.” (A, 19:35)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:46 | Entering Culiacán; evidence of violence | | 02:14 | Local reporter interview: cartel killings | | 03:47 | Cartel violence in exclusive neighborhoods | | 06:11 | Cartels laundering money through culture and business | | 08:01 | Cartel intimidation tactics | | 09:07 | Santa Muerte shrines, celebration of death | | 13:07 | Trump policy impact; military crackdowns, corruption details | | 17:27 | Societal and economic impact of violence | | 20:30 | Missing persons crisis, family protests | | 27:49 | Shrines to evil, loss of morality | | 28:36 | Imala: vacation town to ghost town | | 32:58 | Governor’s alleged cartel ties, hiding from public | | 36:15 | National Guard ambush and the climate of fear | | 41:17 | Security checkpoints at the border—the “Trump effect” |

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Tone and Language

The tone throughout is urgent, emotional, and often indignant, with direct and blunt language used by Ben and his guests to convey the reality of life under cartel rule. There’s a consistent emphasis on the suffering of ordinary people, open condemnations of government corruption, and vivid, sometimes graphic descriptions of violence.

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Closing and Dedication

Timestamp: 43:12 – End
The episode closes with a heartfelt tribute to three Pennsylvania police officers killed in the line of duty, including a performance of “Hallelujah” as a memorial. The team underscores their support for law enforcement and previews the next episode, detailing efforts by ICE to curb illegal immigration.

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Summary

This hard-hitting episode of Law and Border delivers a sobering look at the dire situation in cartel-dominated regions of Mexico. The reporting highlights the pervasive violence, the reach of organized crime into daily life and all levels of government, and the brokenness of a society gripped by fear. The message is clear: inaction and complicity lead to the normalization of brutality, and these issues threaten to spill across borders if left unaddressed. The podcast closes on a note of solidarity with law enforcement and a call for public awareness and action.

Transcript

[Dave Bray]

This is an iHeart podcast.

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[Law and Border Narrator]

Welcome back to another action packed episode of Law and Border.

[Dave Bray]

Somewhere you and I wouldn't go. Would it be safe for us to go or no?

[Aaron Ibarra]

Right here? No.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Ben links back up with good friend Oscar Blue Ramirez and heads into one of the most dangerous places in Mexico known as Cuyacan Sinaloa.

[Dave Bray]

Right here you can see the bullet holes.

[Law and Border Narrator]

It's also the headquarters for the Sinaloa cartel where the El Mayo and the Chapito factions of the Sinaloa cartel are currently locked in a vicious, deadly war for control. From the demonic shrines to the multimillion dollar mausoleums of death. We'll show you the truth about what it's like to live in a failed state.

[Dave Bray]

A block away from here, a human head was left on the sidewalk.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Why it's so important that we rid the world of this cancer.

[Dave Bray]

It's a very big problem. Ben Burke went with his camera. Truth coming through.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Heads up.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Welcome to Law and Border where we go to the front line to expose the truth about the real attack on America. You're watching Law and Border with Ben Berkwil. We begin our episode with Ben and Oscar linking up with our local Sinaloa reporter friend, Aaron Ibarra. He's with the Associated Press Processo News.

[Dave Bray]

Talk to us about the violence. You were saying 37 people killed this.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Past week were 37 persons murdered. I mean murder. I mean dead by gunshot.

[Dave Bray]

And this is all from the cartel battles?

[Aaron Ibarra]

Absolutely. At least most of them are related with these carpal violence.

[Dave Bray]

How insecure is it to live down here?

[Aaron Ibarra]

Well, you, you. You are driving to one of the most famous streets here in Culacan. This is El Malecon Nuevo. It's like one of the most popular places where people come and Dr. Eat some local snacks and it's all alone. Little by little, we're kind of getting maybe tired of this violence and people starting to. To go out and do some stops, I don't know. But even with this sickness, I don't know how to name it, this tiredness. People are trying to get back his own lives. But it's kind of hard.

[Law and Border Narrator]

The law and border team arrived at their first stop in an affluent suburban area where earlier this year a cartel shootout erupted.

[Aaron Ibarra]

This will be our first spot to visit because I think it's important for you guys to know that the violence is not only one place. I mean this is one of the exclusives places in Kulakan and. And past December the neighbors around woke up between gunshots. I mean gunshots. Not. Not only bang, bang, bang, no gunshots.

[Dave Bray]

Fully auto machine gun. This is Sinaloa cartel factions battling. Are you able to talk about the factions?

[Aaron Ibarra]

It's. It's kind of between dangerous and bold. I mean with the past years, many journalists that have been kind of threatened because of the coverage, one of the sides might think that you are supporting the. The other side. So. So it's kind of dangerous and bold to say. I think this is magito stuff. I think this is. I don't know.

[Dave Bray]

So if you say anything one way or the other, you get labeled as supporting the other side potentially.

[Aaron Ibarra]

That's it.

[Dave Bray]

And talk to me about that. Oscar was talking about that. The influencers that are being killed now. The influencers that are being basically bought off by the cartels.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Okay, okay, I'm gonna ask you to stop the recording because we are going to this house. I think. Yes.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Even stopping for a few seconds. Aaron is visibly nervous as the house is constantly being watched by different factions of the cartel.

[Dave Bray]

And what did it say?

[Aaron Ibarra]

It said MAP are not alone.

[Law and Border Narrator]

So as soon as we got our shots, we moved on.

[Dave Bray]

Can you explain that in English? The influencers.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah, it's gonna be kind of hard. It's not that good by English. These people are victims too. I mean they are not criminals. It would be unfair for everybody to treat them like criminals because they are victims between fallen state and the organized crime, the cartel.

[Dave Bray]

But basically it's a way for the cartel to funct money.

[Additional Local Reporter]

Yeah.

[Dave Bray]

Through them.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah, it's. It's. It's like a common thing that the cartel use the entertainment for. For.

[Dave Bray]

A money lender.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah, for money laundry. I. I mean they, they kind of support these people in order to. To make this laundry.

[Dave Bray]

So the, so some of the, like the music that you listen to and this is something we were talking about earlier. You've got to be careful who you support. Cuz your money might be going to. Supporting the cartels directly, huh?

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yes, indeed.

[Dave Bray]

Not just through drugs, but even through the music you buy and the way.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Cartel have for making money. It's so extensive. I mean, it's not only the trucks. They have these slots machines. They have also these vaping stops and even small business. Check this out.

[Law and Border Narrator]

The punteros are lookouts for the cartel. They ride around on motorcycles and have become a ubiquitous part of the culture in these cartel controlled regions.

[Additional Local Reporter]

He also told me about, you know, there was a small aircraft that had what, the opposition or the. The other side of the cartel. What they did is they gathered all b all these small banners and these small aircraft flew over all kulakan releasing these banners of all the influencers that they were, you know, part of the opposition. So you watch out, you stop listening to their music and supporting them. So that's how big this market is for them.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Check this out. Behind this black truck. There it is. Last in last January, a bomb explode over here. That's the. The place where Edgar Guzman, one of El Chapo sons were killed in 2008. In May. May 3rd of 2008.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Don't go anywhere cuz it only gets crazier. From the million dollar museums of the death celebrating cartel bosses.

[Dave Bray]

All the cartels have walls. They all have.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah. Weapons.

[Dave Bray]

They all have protection. And the people actually trying to make a legitimate living are screwed.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah. Suffering. Yeah.

[Dave Bray]

Every day.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Every day to the shell shocked streets of Caloa.

[Additional Local Reporter]

This is part of the massive kidnappings.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And everywhere we look we see the shrines to the patron saint of death, also known as Santa Muerte because they.

[Dave Bray]

Were dumping bodies there.

[Law and Border Narrator]

It's nothing shy of a cartel war zone on these city streets. And if we're not careful, the same thing could happen in America.

[Dave Bray]

Right here. You can see the bullet holes in this building all over here.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And be sure to stick around after the show for a special tribute dedicated to the three police officers from Pennsylvania who were gunned down in the line of duty.

[Chorus Singer]

Hallelujah.

[Downy Unstoppables Advertiser]

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[Law and Border Narrator]

This episode of Law and Border is brought to you by patriotmobile.com Use promo code RAV for free activation today only at patriotmo mobile.com welcome back to Law and Border. We link back up with reporter Aaron Ibarra on the streets of Kulan.

[Aaron Ibarra]

The militia in general Guardian La Marina Sedena started to be more aggressive here in Sinaloa since February 18, just the day when Donald Trump announces this. We're talking about, like maybe 300 narcolapse has been secured.

[Chorus Singer]

Wow. About.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Just here in Kuyakan, between Kulakan and Kosala. It's. It's another municipio south from here.

[Chorus Singer]

It's.

[Aaron Ibarra]

It's one of the most famous here in narco culture because of his mountains.

[Dave Bray]

It's a difficult terrain.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah.

[Dave Bray]

Somewhere you and I wouldn't go. Would it be safe for us to go or.

[Chorus Singer]

No.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Right here? No. And.

[Dave Bray]

And you, as a journalist, like you're saying, you've got to be very careful. How concerned are you for your own life, for your own safety, even communicating about this?

[Aaron Ibarra]

Well, I don't feel. Feel like, like exposed or, or in danger, that being the cartel. I mean, Mark. No, I am afraid, or maybe some kind of fear. I don't know, being in the middle of a crossfire. I have been experiencing that twice in my life. Maybe I should run out of luck. I don't want to know. Ch out. The holes.

[Dave Bray]

On the wall, huh? It's all bullet holes.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah. This area, we're like, like under siege. Lots of gunshots. I mean.

[Dave Bray]

So this is all nar. Is this like different factions of narco here?

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah, here's like narco city. So we're paralyzed. Like. I don't know.

[Dave Bray]

Yeah, I love this. We got the electrified fencing.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah.

[Dave Bray]

They got beautiful walls. We talk about this in Juarez. You know, they talk about the wall on their southern border. They don't want that. But all the cartels have walls. They all have.

[Chorus Singer]

Yeah.

[Dave Bray]

Weapons. They all have protection, but they don't want us to have it. So do you think that you're talking about Trump, the extradition? You think Trump's approach has given Mexico more boldness in going after them?

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah, I think the local govern felt like maybe forced to do that. If you remember that, that bulletin from. From the White House Department of States of the United States of America. They say we are not going to tolerate this government in. What's the word? Complices. Yeah. The complicity between authorities and organized crime. That's an accusation.

[Dave Bray]

I mean, and it's clearly true, though, right? Yeah. Every level of government is corrupted by the cartel.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Put it this way. One, you captured this, this kingpin, or two kingpins, or ten kingpins, and nothing. It's solved. I mean, there's still been people running the cartel? No.

[Chorus Singer]

Right.

[Aaron Ibarra]

But there is zero politicians behind bars. I mean, isn't that strange?

[Dave Bray]

Because you know, they're all getting paid off.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Of course.

[Dave Bray]

But we could prove that if we followed the money. Yeah, if you got the bankers.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah. And they are not following it. They're just making this arrest. Small arrests.

[Dave Bray]

So it's all for show.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Yeah.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Omar Garcia Harfuch. We're one of the closest students of Genaro Garcia Luna, who is now in jail there in the US So.

[Chorus Singer]

Maybe.

[Aaron Ibarra]

In these walls we managed to see these bullet holes.

[Dave Bray]

Where are the most of the killings happening now?

[Aaron Ibarra]

It's the brutal zone, see. Okay. The brutal areas.

[Chorus Singer]

And.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Within the city at the south and east side.

[Dave Bray]

Can Mexico be saved from the corruption, from the violence, from the.

[Aaron Ibarra]

I really think that it's a little. From what I. What I was trying to. To explain a few moments ago about why there is no politicians behind the bars. Arrested, convicted, I don't know.

[Dave Bray]

Or judges or.

[Additional Local Reporter]

That's the real cartel.

[Aaron Ibarra]

No, indeed those. Because you try to remove these people from, from, from like El Chapo, Mayo, Zambada, name it, it's okay. You're gonna put them behind, you're gonna put them in prison. That's okay. But what else? Media. The media where I work at, Emayo said that if I'm behind the bars, it. It's not going to change nothing if another people are going to take over the business. And another and another and another. So we are not doing anything different from back then. I mean since the last century and maybe the 80s and 90s, it's the same. They captured Rosariano, Miguel Angel, Felix Gallardo and so much names. And we still.

[Dave Bray]

It's worse. Yeah.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Fighting against this war. So in all this area, there was this gunfight in 2019 and another colleagues and I were just trying to seek cover because of the gunshots. I mean they're like.

[Dave Bray]

So the levels of impact. Yeah, it impacts every level. You just can't.

[Aaron Ibarra]

This is one of the most important classes. It's not even like is 40% of his capacity. I mean, look at the parking lot. Yeah, it's not full.

[Dave Bray]

So it destroys your economy. So the rich are the. The politicians, the district attorneys, the judges. They're all getting rich from drugs and human trafficking. And the people actually trying to make a legitimate living are screwed.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah. Suffering. We are talking about like almost seven months in a constant war. I mean, there's not even one day we haven't been like, oh man, this is going to over now. There's no gunfights. There's nothing but no, every day. Every day. Wow. Doesn't matter to them. It's just a bullet in the end.

[Dave Bray]

Better that than the chance of you actually working with them.

[Chorus Singer]

Yeah.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Coming up, we head to where the cartel bosses are celebrated even in death. And then we'll join with the families whose loved ones have been kidnapped by the cartels, often never to be heard from again. And with zero response from the government and only a block away from here, a human head was left inside.

[Dave Bray]

Where our hotel is that we're staying is right here.

[Law and Border Narrator]

All that and more when Law and Border return, right after this.

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[Law and Border Narrator]

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[Law and Border Narrator]

Law and Border is back. And you won't believe what we see next.

[Dave Bray]

So just went through this. The Maya Gardens. It's the cemetery. That's the translation in English right across the street from me. Too dangerous to get out there and actually filmed. But this is a cemetery dedicated to the cartel bosses. It is incredible. We're driving down through here and they look like houses. I mean, it truly is. It's shocking to see. They have built these monuments honoring the leaders of the cartels. The amount of money that has gone into these cemeteries, it just shows you the power that the cartels have. Look at these facilities. I mean, when we started, when we drove in here, I said a couple. I thought, oh my gosh, the farther you drive back here, it is absolutely shocking. These are the size of houses, some of these, and they are simply monuments to the cartel. Some of the most evil people that have ever existed on our planet. The terrorist organizations, the leaders of these terrorist organizations glorified in this cemetery in Kuyakan Sinaloa.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Early this morning, about 5am we had a animal execution from a man at Colonia Lazaro Cardenas. That's a place south side of the city. It wasn't even the daylight in some spots. From that side of the city, we have reports from gunshots. We're heading to the cathedral. There's a protest because of the disappearing of a. A police. A woman police. She was a police. She's now retired. But she. She has been taken with his two childrens. So that's another tragedy.

[Dave Bray]

Do we know who took her?

[Aaron Ibarra]

No, we don't. But. But we can assume that it was a cartel.

[Dave Bray]

So when they do that, they don't claim responsibility necessarily.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Not necessarily. I was just talking to Oscar about that. It's like the situation is this the cartel. One of the factions may assume that you are working with the other party. So how can you prove it?

[Dave Bray]

Right.

[Aaron Ibarra]

You cannot prove it that they're criminals.

[Dave Bray]

So they kill you anyways. Yeah.

[Aaron Ibarra]

It just doesn't matter to them. It's just a bullet in the head.

[Dave Bray]

Better that than the chance of you actually working with him.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah.

[Dave Bray]

So they'll kill you even if it's. Even if you're not.

[Law and Border Narrator]

The law and border team heads to the Justice Department building where a protest for the missing police officer and her family is underway. Unfortunately, she's just one of thousands that go missing each and every year.

[Additional Local Reporter]

This is actually happening around the whole country. This is part of the missing people. The missing problem that we are having right now, the massive kidnappings, the massing, the massive, you know, missing people. That's happening not only in the north part of the country, but in the south part of our country. Continuous kidnappings to innocent people and also to innocent children. These kind of protests are all over our country right now.

[Dave Bray]

This is a visual representation of what a country controlled by the cartels looks like. All of these ribbons represent people missing. Over a thousand just in this area last year. Missing with 0% accountability for the cartels. This is what happens when you support the cartels. No politicians have been arrested yet and there's corruption at every level of government.

[Aaron Ibarra]

There's people missing. We have what we call here, the word taken. Taken is a translation that may that put. EP Meat is a researcher from California and he has translated a book of Javier Valdez that talks about people that are missing. Cartel. We say it in. In Spanish, Lebanton, which is like they took you by the horse and disappear you like ribbons hanging of the tree. They also have names of the people that are taken.

[Chorus Singer]

Wow.

[Dave Bray]

You can see epidemic in Mexico.

[Additional Local Reporter]

Yeah.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Just in Calo last year we have a 6, 600 people that are missing and zero people are behind bars or in jail because of those crimes.

[Dave Bray]

So zero, zero percent harmony, punishment. Wow.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And despite their petitions for safety and accountability, they receive practically no response from the government.

[Dave Bray]

All of these represent missing people by the cartels, they've been up here so long, some of them, the names have bleached off, you can't even hardly read them anymore. They're at the fiscal general's office here. Looks like they're blocking it into the building. Tell me again.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Picture that. This woman, she was taken or kidnapped with her daughter and her two grandchildren. These two boys are the sons of this girl and they're both. They all are missing. It's the date March 22nd. I mean, about almost two weeks ago now. They're going to talk with the general attorney, Claudia Suleiman Sanchez. It's unfair that cartel are murdering or killing kids Childs. It's not fair. They should be at school, not missing, not taken.

[Law and Border Narrator]

When Law and Border returns, we'll expose the demons that are driving the cartels.

[Dave Bray]

That could be a beautiful place too, but been taken over because they were dumping bodies there.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And we'll visit the communities that have born the brunt of the cartel war where professional musicians perform on the streets because the venues have been shut down and body parts are left by the cartels as a warning.

[Dave Bray]

A block away from here, a human head was left on the sidewalk. Imagine that.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And later we'll visit the scene of one of the brutal shootouts where two national guardsmen were killed.

[Dave Bray]

Right here you can see the bullet holes in this building all over.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And be sure to stick around after the show for a special tribute dedicated to the three police officers from Pennsylvania who were gunned down in the line of duty.

[Downy Unstoppables Advertiser]

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[Law and Border Narrator]

This episode of Law and Border is brought to you by patriotmobile.com Use promo code RAV for free activation today only at patriotmobile.com welcome back to Law and Border. You want to see what's driving the cartels? Look no further than the shrines to Santa Muerte.

[Dave Bray]

On the way out of Cuyacan to the chapito's headquarters, you've got this. And this is what you see everywhere you go where you've got the cartel in operation. These shrines to Santa Muerte, basically, they pray to the devil. They Put their candles out here, Send their prayers to the devil for the actions that they're committing.

[Law and Border Narrator]

The patron saint of death. We leave the shrine of death and head deeper into the Chapitos territory to one of the communities that was until recently the center of the cartel war. A once vibrant vacation town with hot springs, delicious foods and village shops, Imala is now nothing more than a ghost town where even most locals are still scared to venture outside.

[Aaron Ibarra]

This is like the main entrance of this little town called Imala. It's one of the eldest from Culiacan. Even from this side of the country, this place is notorious because of his food and. And it's like a holiday place where people come, so people stop coming because this danger from the criminal groups and these convoys. And Last Saturday, Saturday 29th, local government tried to reactivate these activities and organize this events. So people try to come back and recover this side of the. Of the city.

[Law and Border Narrator]

The law and border team visits a local Catholic church that sits at the center of the once thriving city, but is now ghostly quiet. It's absolutely heartbreaking to see firsthand what can happen to a country when it replaces the goodness of God and life with the worship of evil, death and the devil.

[Dave Bray]

The cartel originally came in and took over the hot springs and now the.

[Aaron Ibarra]

No, no, no, no, no. Not actually the hot springs, but the town, the hot springs within the town. So because of these confrontations, these gunfights, military came and tried to keep in, keep the peace. So they had need to have a camp. So they took the hot springs. The Mayos came to fight with the chapter Eos. So this is what this. Where a. A towning conflict, constant conflict.

[Dave Bray]

And this place, you can see what a cool place it would be. But it still really hasn't recovered at all.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah, it's still this past Saturday. They, they make this big body. They have these, these puppets and, and. And clowns and everything and music. But this is a place where this should be working. And even today that is twisty. But it's not.

[Law and Border Narrator]

The law and border team enters the hot springs to get a closer look at the military outpost.

[Dave Bray]

They got all their tents set up over there too. So did he say this is in operation still or.

[Aaron Ibarra]

No, no, no. It's not operating because of the army. They're camping here. You see that, those tents?

[Dave Bray]

So this part of this was the war zone.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Aha. War zone. So we're trying to find. Find these, these traces of the gunshots, but I. I don't see nothing yet. Maybe further.

[Dave Bray]

Yeah, but they Would definitely use these walls as cover.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Yeah.

[Dave Bray]

They got big troop presence out here.

[Aaron Ibarra]

That's a lot. Like maybe 150.

[Dave Bray]

This small town, Imala, we just came out. Beautiful town, known for its hot springs. People come out here on holiday and on weekends to hang out and relax. Got taken over by the cartels, Became part of the cartel wars and now this. The hot springs are shut down to the public, but they've been taken over by the military, which is a good thing for the town. It's protection for the town. Not. Not the best. Because this was the draw. These hot springs were the draw. But at least they're not having gunfights anymore. Bottom line is cartels aren't good for anybody. So we've got little fobs set up over here. You've got tents from all the military down here. They got a couple different stations, but you just see the military presence. All these guys set up over here, another spot on the other side, all set up over there as well. Just to bring peace to this little town. And it's like this all over the country. Where the cartels are, there is no peace, you know. And sadly, everywhere you go across Mexico goes like this, where you have these potential locations, opportunity. You look at a country like this, where it could be such a great country, but because of violence, because of criminal activity and because of the corruption, they never break out. There's that beautiful water park yesterday where. There, where the checkpoint was. That could be a beautiful place too, but then taken over because they were dumping bodies there. Nobody was going to it. So you're never going to have a resolution to it. It's a very big problem. Layers and layers deep.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Back in Kulakan, we visit the governmental palace. And there the governor of Sinaloa is holed up and being protected from the cartel wars that he helped to instigate. And meanwhile his citizens live in constant fear for their lives.

[Dave Bray]

Behind us we have the governmental administrative office. You've got the governor hiding out in there. What does that mean to you? Talk to us about that. And in particular, you're just showing me an article from Processo about the president and the hypocrisy. What's actually happening here?

[Aaron Ibarra]

It's the issue of October of the last year. This is a magazine and also a website. We published this investigation reports. So we had these informs from Sedena. Sedena, it's Secretary of Defense Nationality army of Mexico. We which are investigating Governor Ruben Rocha Moya because of his links with Los Chapitos. Since this War began. He has been appointed like collaborator with Los Chapitos and Sedena knows about that.

[Chorus Singer]

He's.

[Aaron Ibarra]

They are investigating him. So he managed to not go back to his house because he's. This is my opinion, I think he is afraid to come back to his house because of the heat of the city. And he just leaves up there in the third floor. Tercer Piso of this administrative. Administrative offices that he push action actually leaps in within the night. I mean, he is not going back to his house until this over. This is over.

[Dave Bray]

So he's protected while the citizens have to live in the violence that he's helped create.

[Aaron Ibarra]

That's the point Public act. He's going with all his guards, bodyguards, and the army and the Guardian, etc.

[Chorus Singer]

So.

[Aaron Ibarra]

So the people, we are not moving like that. We should move and make a wish to be able to go back home.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Coming up next on Law and Border. It's more of the city under siege.

[Dave Bray]

A block away from here. A human head was left on the sidewalk.

[Law and Border Narrator]

What you get when a government is completely corrupted from the top to the bottom and the citizens are left stuck in the middle.

[Dave Bray]

You can see the bullet holes in this building all over here.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And be sure to stick around after the show for a special tribute dedicated to the three police officers from Pennsylvania who are gunned down in the line of duty.

[Downy Unstoppables Advertiser]

What's that sound? That's the sound of Downy Unstoppable scent beads going into your washing machine and giving your clothes freshness that lasts all day long. There it is again. It's like music to your ears. Or more like music to your nose. That freshness is irresistible. Let's get a Downy Unstoppables bottle shake. And now a sniff solo. Nice. With Downy Unstoppables, you just toss wash. Wow. For all day freshness.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Welcome back to Law and Border.

[Dave Bray]

This is the gas station where two National Guard men were gunned down. In fact, the two vehicles you're seeing in this video, one was here and one was here. Both cartel vehicles, National Guard came up. They tried to approach them. They were firing, firing back.

[Additional Local Reporter]

And.

[Dave Bray]

And the two guys died right here where I'm standing. You can actually see bullet holes in the building over here where the gunfire went. Large caliber rounds. This whole building got shot up. All of these buildings got shot up here. But this is. Is right in the middle of the city. And this is the level of violence that every day can and does happen. It just kind of shifts. Right now it's a little further north, but every Day they're having killings out here. They just dropped a body this morning. They killed two others yesterday morning on the road we were driving down yesterday, right after we got done with our hits were there was a kidnapping on the road. And right here you can see the bullet holes in this building all over, over here. But there was a kidnapping as we were driving home yesterday on the same road we were driving on, just minutes before we got there. And the crazy thing was, we didn't even know about it till we got back to our hotel, saw the video, we drove past it. There was no police presence. There was no people out in the street saying there was a kidnapping. Here, the people live in such fear. It's like living with Stockholm syndrome. They live in such fear that they don't say anything, Anything. And it's no wonder. This is nuts. We were talking to Aaron, our guide here, and local reporter, and there were. Just to get, put it in perspective, there's been over 1600 kidnappings this year in Sinaloa. Zero prosecutions. Zero. So if you see a kidnapping, you don't say anything because you know there's going to be no punishment for the people that were doing the kidnapping. The only thing that can happen is something bad to you. That's what the people live with, the fear of kidnapping and death. And the crazy thing talking to Aaron, it's death isn't the biggest fear. A bigger fear is the fear of going missing and nobody knowing what's happened to you. And there are thousands of those cases here in Sinaloa and across Mexico. And that's the people that the Democrats, Democrats are supporting. All of these idiots out there protesting, protesting President Trump, all of these guys are protesting in support of the cartels. And this whole facade has been repainted because of the shootout. But you can see this was the camera that captured the footage of the shootout and the National Guardsmen being killed. And even still, there's bullet holes in the building over there. But even on this building right here, there's still bullet holes up on the.

[Chorus Singer]

Side of that building.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And even though their nation is overrun with corruption, there are still heroes in Mexico who are doing their best to save their country. So please pray, if you will, for the families of these two National Guardsmen who gave their lives up in defense of their country. And every aspect of life is impacted when you allow the criminal to run your country.

[Dave Bray]

So it's not just the drugs, it's not just the human trafficking. It's even small business. These guys are musicians. How to make A living. They're out here on the middle of the streets doing their music because the places they used to play aren't open now because the level of violence here in Couyou county, right across from the street corner where these guys are playing their music was where. Where the human head was left from the cartels who chopped this guy's head off while he was still alive.

[Aaron Ibarra]

When he got murdered, they left his head within his narco mensaki, a narco message where they were accusing him of being part from Los Chapitos. And so this was going to happen to all of Chapitos. And that sign, it's like a threat. If you walk with the chapitos, you're going to get your head check, chop.

[Dave Bray]

Up where the head was left. And where the guys are playing music is right down there at that intersection. Where our hotel is that we're staying is right here. That's how insecure this city is. And this is one of the nicer parts of town. I came up here, I was like, oh, great hotel. Little did you know that a block away from here, human head was left on the sidewalk. Imagine that. Imagine raising your kids not knowing if there was going to be a human head left out on the sidewalk in the morning when you walked out.

[Law and Border Narrator]

The Law and Border team leaves Kulikan and heads back to the border at Juarez, Mexico. And before they even cross into the United States, they find more of President Trump's policies in action. Looking back, it's quite obvious that Joe Biden and the Democrats allowed this invasion of illegals into our country. Now President Trump is forcing Mexico to have checkpoints in their own country before the vehicles even approach our border.

[Dave Bray]

Mexico site in Juarez. They've actually got National Guard set up. It's the first time I've seen this. We've got National Guard set up before you cross over the port of entry. Trump effect in action, at least here. Now, whether or not it's for show or they're actually going to do some drug interdiction, we don't have the statistics on, on how much they've actually apprehended yet, but first time I've ever seen this. This did not happen under Joe Biden.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Even the trains are being inspected. It's amazing what happens when you have a president and an administration that put America first. Now, if we can only get rid of the traitors in our country who do the opposite.

[Dave Bray]

As we were coming back to our vehicle, noticed this guy with his canine out here at the railroad tracks and spoke to him. He confirmed he's out here. He's actually private security, working with the National Guard, checking the trains for drugs and illegals going across. And he confirmed this was not done under Joe Biden. This is new because of Trump's pressure on the Mexican government. So they're checking the trains now for drugs and people before they enter. Now, obviously, when they enter the United States, we're checking as well, but you're getting double layers of security on the Mexico side again, all due to President Trump's threat of tariffs on the Mexican government. That's the Trump effect, in effect. With all the attacks on law enforcement recently, you may not have heard about the tragedy last week in York County, Pennsylvania, Dave Bray's hometown, three law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty. Two others were injured. This week, we honor Mark Baker, Cody Becker, and Isaiah Emenhiser. God bless all of our law enforcement officers, pray for their families, pray for this country.

[Guest Speaker / Singer]

First and foremost, I'd like to thank the families for allowing me this.

[Aaron Ibarra]

Graceful.

[Guest Speaker / Singer]

Opportunity to be able to sing a song for you today. You know, from someone who sits outside of the family of law enforcement looking in, but still somehow being allowed into this fold truly means the world to me. With that, I'm going to say a.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Few words about this.

[Guest Speaker / Singer]

Thing that we call the thin blue line. You know, astronauts often go up into space and they look back into the earth and they say, my God, our atmosphere, so small, paper thin and blue. And each one of them comes back with the same exact thought in their hearts. The fragility of her humanity and our relationship to this earth is one that we don't really see. We don't know it, because we look up through it. We use and consume its services and what it provides for us in the protection from the rest of the chaos in the universe. These brothers in blue who paid the ultimate price for that thin blue line.

[Law and Border Narrator]

They know about its fragility.

[Guest Speaker / Singer]

And they know about the relationship. But the people outside don't always see the service and the protection that our thin blue line that stands in this room gives and offers every single day. So for the few words that I.

[Downy Unstoppables Advertiser]

Have.

[Guest Speaker / Singer]

For many around this country and, of course, in York county, for your service and for your protection and for being that thin blue line between civility and chaos, I'd like to say thank you. This song is called Hallelujah. And if you'd like to sing along, I think the families would like that.

[Lead Singer]

Well, I heard there was an ancient call to hold the line and protect us all but you don't know about this badge now do you? Well, it stands for justice, hope and truth and warning faith by those who answer the ancient call of Hallelujah.

[Chorus Singer]

Hallelujah Hallelujah. Hallelujah Hallelujah.

[Lead Singer]

So you swore an oath and you took a stand you pled your life as you raised your hand. But you don't think that you're a hero to you as you're holding up that thin blue line through the the longest days, the darkest nights the bullets fly, the screams that you throw you.

[Chorus Singer]

Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah. Oh yeah.

[Lead Singer]

There's a silent war in every town that nobody sees because you're around and they'll never know how much they truly need you. It's the lions roll door that keeps us safe. The badge that shines and lights the way so we can sleep in peace the whole night through.

[Chorus Singer]

Yeah. Hallelujah, Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

[Lead Singer]

Hallelujah. The hardest part of every day is seeing the innocent lives betrayed and holding back what you really, really want to do.

[Chorus Singer]

Yeah.

[Lead Singer]

When evil lurks outside the door the lion's heart begins to roar. A righteous and a holy Hallelujah.

[Chorus Singer]

Hallelujah. Hallelujah Hallelujah. Hallelujah Hallelujah.

[Lead Singer]

After all the sirens and all the light you never got to say good night to the ones at home who were always waiting for you. Cuz you chose a badge and you wore the blue. For all of us who depend on you to answer the ancients call of Hallelujah.

[Chorus Singer]

Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelu. Hallelujah.

[Lead Singer]

Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

[Law and Border Narrator]

Hey everyone, it's Dave Bray. And here at Law and Border, we take our support for our brothers and sisters of law enforcement quite seriously. Sadly, this tragedy has struck right in the heart of my hometown. So please consider scanning the QR code on your screen and supporting the families of these fallen heroes. Next time on Law and Border, we'll head back into the United States to reconnect with our friends from ICE and give you an up close and personal look into the operations to remove the illegals that Joe Biden let into our country. We'll join them in Houston, Texas, and ride along with the heroes of ICE as they go into the communities to get the worst of the worst.

[Dave Bray]

I cannot understand why there isn't broad support for turning criminals over to us.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And we'll join the Law and Border team as they get an exclusive look into a detention center where the illegals are being held before being removed from our country.

[Dave Bray]

Many of them them gang members, cartel members.

[Law and Border Narrator]

And as the leftist attacks on ICE and our country continue to escalate, we have a very simple message to go out to all. God bless ice, God bless our Border Patrol, God bless President Trump, and God bless America.

[Tide Pods Advertiser]

This is an iHeart podcast.