The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode 171: Cartel Members Arrested in New England
Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ben Ferguson covers a major breaking story: the unprecedented arrest of 171 Sinaloa Cartel members in New England. He discusses the implications for national drug policy, critiques Democratic approaches to law enforcement, and explores the ongoing battle against cartel-driven drug crime. Ferguson weaves national polling, political commentary, and local DEA perspectives to argue that law and order is a top concern for Americans and that President Trump’s approach to fighting crime is resonating across the country. The episode takes a hard stance against what Ferguson calls Democratic complacency on crime, and makes a case for stricter crackdowns on drug cartels nation-wide.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cartel Crackdown in New England

• Surprising Arrest Numbers
  Over 170 Sinaloa Cartel members were arrested in New England, with Connecticut (64), Massachusetts (49), and New Hampshire (33) seeing the highest numbers. Ferguson notes the novelty and seriousness of this happening far from the U.S.–Mexico border.

• Seizure Details
  The DEA confiscated more than 22,000 counterfeit pills, fentanyl powder, and packaging clearly tied to the Sinaloa Cartel, highlighting the reach and danger of these networks.

• DEA Perspective
  Jared Forget, DEA Special Agent in Charge, describes the Sinaloa Cartel as “public enemy number one” for New England. He stresses their reach:

  “Sinaloa cartel in every single state across America, more than 40 countries around the world, and obviously they're in every state throughout New England.”
  (DEA Agent, 08:30)

2. Public & Political Response: Law and Order or Chaos? (03:26–04:48)

• Current Political Debate
  Ferguson frames the national conversation as a choice between "law and order" vs. "anarchy and chaos,” claiming Democrats favor criminals and illegal immigrants. He accuses media and Democratic officials of downplaying cartel influence away from the southern border.

• Polling Data
  Ferguson references a CNN poll showing overwhelming support for Donald Trump's approach to crime compared to Joe Biden.

  “Donald Trump is like [Michael] Jordan towering over Joe Biden when it comes to their handling of crime … Americans are far more hawkish on crime than a lot of Democrats want to admit.”
  (Political Analyst, 04:10)

3. Exposing Cartel Operations and Community Impact (07:34–09:49)

• News Clip & DEA Warnings
  Local news coverage underscores that many Sinaloa Cartel members operate “in plain sight.” DEA agents reveal that distinguishing between real and counterfeit pills is nearly impossible, even for experts.

  “I'm a DEA agent. I cannot tell the difference between a fake one and a real one … remind parents, schools, caregivers, everybody in the community, have those conversations with each other, have them with your kids.”
  (DEA Agent, 09:13)

• Cartel Targeting Tactics
  The cartel uses common social media apps to market counterfeit pills—often targeting young people and students, with deadly consequences.

• Nature of the DEA’s Efforts
  The DEA does not focus on small-time offenders but on entire trafficking networks:

  “We're not going after low level retail drug traffickers. We are going after drug trafficking organizations, the networks.”
  (DEA Agent, 09:42)

• The Scale of the Battle

  “It's an ongoing battle, one that we cannot, we can't afford to give up. The Sinaloa cartel is a threat to public safety, our public health, and our national security as a country.”
  (DEA Agent, 09:55–09:59)

4. Linking Crime, Immigration, and the Political Divide (04:48–10:18, 11:36–13:57)

• Voting and Illegal Activity
  Ferguson highlights a claim by Maine’s Democratic Secretary of State that non-citizens are registered to vote, calling it a "blatant disregard for the law."

• Doubts Cast on National Reporting
  Ferguson challenges mainstream media for failing to cover cartel presence in places like New England, arguing it exposes the myth that cartels are only a “border issue.”

• Contrast: Federal Action vs. Local Pushback
  The episode draws a contrast between tough federal action (tied to Donald Trump) and what Ferguson characterizes as Democratic reluctance to address crime, exemplified in a discussion about D.C. and Los Angeles crime statistics, highlighting political unwillingness to give Trump credit even where results appear positive.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ferguson on the Stakes:

  “The Democratic Party has made it clear they're on the side of the criminal everywhere they can find them in this country, including illegal immigrants.” (Ben Ferguson, 03:29)

• Political Analyst on Public Attitudes:

  “Donald Trump is like Eric Jordan towering over Joe Biden when it comes to their handling a crime … Americans are far more hawkish on crime than a lot of Democrats want to admit.” (Political Analyst, 04:10)

• DEA on Pill Dangers:

  “I'm a DEA agent. I cannot tell the difference between a fake one and a real one.” (DEA Agent, 09:13)

• DEA on the Scope of Threat:

  “The Sinaloa cartel is a threat to public safety, our public health, and our national security as a country.” (DEA Agent, 09:59)

• Ben Ferguson on Political Refusal:

  “Adam Schiff, an individual who's saying, I would rather hate on Donald Trump than protect American citizens … Which brings us back to my original point. There are two sides to this story and the American people seem to be overwhelmingly on the side of what Donald Trump is doing to fight crime coast to coast.” (Ben Ferguson, 13:06–13:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cartel Arrest Numbers in New England: 00:06–00:22, 07:59–08:40
• DEA Agent on Cartel’s Spread & Danger: 08:30–09:13
• Political Analyst on Trump vs. Biden Crime Polling: 04:10
• DEA Agent on Counterfeit Pills and Social Media Targeting: 09:13–09:26
• Debate Over Law Enforcement Success (D.C. Stats): 12:09–13:06
• Ben Ferguson’s Closing Argument: 13:57

Summary

This episode uses a high-profile crackdown on the Sinaloa Cartel in New England to illustrate Ben Ferguson’s broader argument: that organized crime is not limited to the border and that Americans favor strong, federal, Trump-led approaches to law enforcement. The episode combines alarming DEA revelations, pointed political commentary, validated public concern via polling, and a critique of Democratic leaders’ reluctance to admit progress in fighting crime. Its tone is direct, combative, and heavily critical of Democratic approaches—consistent with Ferguson’s established style. The episode drives home that the fight against cartel-driven crime is a matter of urgent national security and political choice.