The Sinaloa Cartel is unraveling—its leaders captured, its factions at war, and U.S. pressure at an all-time high. Yet in Nogales, Sonora, one of Mexico’s most strategic border plazas, business continues as usual. In this episode, we travel to Nogales to uncover: -How the Chapitos betrayed El Mayo Zambada with the DEA’s help -Why Nogales is vital for drug and human smuggling routes into the U.S. -First-hand accounts from locals and former smugglers inside cartel operations -The rise of retail drug markets (“tiendas”) across Mexico -How cartels enforce their own version of “law and order” in border towns From bloody betrayals in Culiacán to quiet cartel control in Nogales, this story reveals the new face of Mexico’s underworld. Today's Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Ava! Take control of your credit right now. Download the Ava app today, and when you join using promo code CONNECT20, you’ll save 20% for your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. FRE! Get 20% off you first order at https://frepouch.com using code CONNECT at checkout! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Sinaloa Cartel in Crisis 02:03 Chaos and Violence in Culiacán 04:08 How Drug Trafficking Has Changed 05:24 Nogales: A Key Border Plaza 06:15 The Mechanics of Smuggling 08:17 This Episode Is Sponsored By PrizePicks and Ava! 11:31 Why Nogales Matters 13:01 Inside the World of a Cartel Operator 16:04 This Episode Is Sponsored By FRE 18:27 Cartel Evolution and Internal Rivalries 22:31 US Pressure and Crackdowns on Corruption 26:10 Retail Drug Markets in Mexico 30:05 Different Cartel Rules for Drugs 31:48 Cartel Justice and Crime in Nogales 33:24 Low-Key Tension on the Border 35:35 Why Locals Don't Break Away 36:19 Impunity and the Limits of Law Enforcement 37:12 What Really Matters in the Drug War 38:53 The Future of the Sinaloa Cartel 39:05 Closing Thoughts & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
