Hosted by Danny Jones
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This episode features a discussion with retired DEA Special Agent Hector Berrellez, who supervised Operation Leyenda, the task force investigating the kidnapping, torture, and murder of agent Enrique Kiki Camarena. Berrellez explains his career history and argues that US intelligence agencies, specifically the CIA and NSC, partnered with Mexican cartels to traffic weapons to the Contras and cocaine back into the US to fund the operation. He asserts that Camarena was murdered because he discovered a secret CIA training and transshipment base at Rancho La Vibora in Veracruz, and claims that CIA operative Felix Rodriguez was directly involved in Camarena's interrogation. Throughout the interview, Berrellez details how he flipped a CIA operative using witness accounts, audio recordings, and operational evidence to uncover deep institutional corruption.
Listeners will find this episode compelling for its firsthand whistleblower testimony regarding historic geopolitical scandals, the Iran-Contra affair, and the clandestine overlap between American law enforcement and foreign drug trafficking organizations. Berrellez provides specific details on covert operations, the rendition of Dr. Humberto Alvarez Machain, and the contemporary dynamics of Mexican cartels, political corruption, and the surrender of Ismael El Mayo Zambada.
The episode opens with hosts introducing themselves and a brief promotional segment for a new program.
Hector Berrellez explains his 27-year career with the DEA, his assignments in Mexico, and his role in Operation La Yenda.
Berrellez details how he uncovered corruption within the DEA, was ordered to kidnap a doctor, and was forced to keep silent to avoid prosecution.
Berrellez describes the CIA’s covert operation to supply weapons and cocaine to the Contras via Mexican cartels, including the use of a front company and secret airstrips.
The speaker recounts his involvement in the longest DEA shootout in Mexico’s history, detailing the conflict with cartel leaders and the subsequent threats to his life.
After being evacuated from Mexico for safety, the operative is tasked with leading the investigation into the murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena.
The operative explains how he was ordered to conduct extraterritorial kidnappings, including the abduction of a cartel doctor, and the involvement of CIA operatives in DEA missions.
The discussion turns to widespread corruption in Mexican and U.S. law enforcement, the legal status of drug traffickers, and the political implications of extradition and prosecution.
The conversation explores the merits of drug legalization, the role of education and rehabilitation, and the challenges of balancing law enforcement with public health.
The speaker reveals that CIA agents were covertly inserted into DEA operations in Mexico, with some DEA agents unknowingly working under CIA directives.
The operative discusses the ongoing investigation into the murder of Enrique Camarena, the alleged CIA involvement, and the challenges of uncovering truth amid institutional secrecy.
The speaker reflects on the clandestine activities of U.S. intelligence agencies during the Cold War, including alleged CIA involvement in drug trafficking and covert operations.
The former DEA agent recounts how he was directed to work with the CIA on covert operations in Mexico.
He discusses the legal constraints and NDAs that bind him from revealing details of clandestine missions.
The agent shares his suspicions that El Mencho was killed to prevent him from exposing corrupt officials.
He argues that Mexico’s sovereignty is compromised by corrupt officials who collaborate with cartels and foreign intelligence.
The host and agent debate the best approach to dismantle cartel power by removing corrupt government officials.
He details the discovery of incineration camps in Mexico where victims are burned alive, comparing them to Auschwitz.
The conversation turns to cartels’ acquisition of advanced weapons, including drones and biological agents, and their ties to global powers.
The episode concludes with the agent encouraging listeners to seek further information and acknowledging his commitment to truth.
Retiring and Uncovering Corruptionstory
Berrellez explains how his career as a highly decorated DEA agent crashed after he uncovered government complicity in Agent Camarena's murder and was subsequently ordered to keep his mouth shut.
Secret US Alliance with Cartelsinsight
The guest details how the CIA and NSC bypassed a Congressional ban to fund the Contras by partnering with Mexican cartels to traffic weapons and cocaine.
Berrellez describes threatening to kidnap Larry Harrison, a CIA operative working inside Mexico's DFS, ultimately forcing him to defect and reveal agency involvement in Camarena's murder.
Executing an Extraterritorial Renditionstrategy
The guest explains how the DEA director authorized him to kidnap Dr. Humberto Alvarez Machain from Mexico, paying local commanders to deliver him across the border.
El Mayo's Surrenderinsight
Berrellez argues that Ismael El Mayo Zambada was never actually kidnapped, but instead voluntarily surrendered and flew to the US because he was a long-time informant.
Berrellez reveals that the CIA secretly placed undercover operatives inside the DEA under fake credentials and recruited actual DEA agents onto CIA payrolls.
Advanced Cartel Weaponryinsight
The guest explains that modern cartels possess sophisticated military equipment, drones, and biological weapons acquired through immense wealth and corrupt international channels.
“I have no reason to lie. You can ask me anything you want.”
“We did it to basically combat communism in South America.”
“The CIA, a lot of people don't know this.”
“And my orders are, arrest him, or eliminate him.”
“I contacted my comandante, met him in Vegas, bought him dinner, bought him a prostitute.”
“I suspect that they're trying to keep this all under the carpet.”
“I was sworn to secrecy. I had to sign documents that I was never going to divulge what we were doing.”
“They are the ones run, they make the cartels and destroy the cartels.”
“The cartels are getting very sophisticated weapons and like I said, one of the sources I understand is Ukraine.”
Watch every episode ad-free & uncensored on Patreon: https://patreon.com/dannyjones Hector Berrellez is a retired DEA Special Agent. His signature case was investigating the 1985 abduction, torture, and murder of undercover DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena by Mexican drug cartels, where he uncovered a tangled web of CIA involvement in Mexican drug cartels. SPONSORS https://whiterabbitenergy.com/?ref=DJP - Use code DJP for 20% off. EPISODE LINKS The Last Narc book: https://a.co/d/01gWblpR FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/dannyjones https://twitter.com/jonesdanny OUTLINE 00:00 - Operation Leyenda & Kiki Camarana 06:25 - The golden age of Mexico's drug cartels 08:44 - Who killed Kiki Camarena & why 12:21 - CIA's involvement in cartel drug & weapon trafficking 18:33 - Kiki Camarena discovers cocaine trafficking 25:16 - CIA agent confesses to Kiki Camarena's murder 33:35 - CIA "Larry Harrison"'s REAL identity 38:10 - Felix Rodriguez aka 'Max Gomez' 44:38 - CIA vs. DEA 47:10 - Evidence Felix Rodriguez betrayed Kiki Camarena 56:42 - Recordings of Kiki Camarena's torture 01:01:19 - Kidnapping the doctor who tortured Camarena 01:10:30 - Felix Rodriguez today 01:13:05 - El Mayo Zambada was NOT kidnapped 01:23:50 - CIA & DEA collaboration with cartels 01:26:06 - China's silent war against Americans 01:33:22 - U. S. is more corrupt than Mexico 01:38:15 - How CIA infiltrated the DEA 01:45:47 - DEA director's response to Hector's claims 01:49:14 - Felix Rodriguez's alibi 01:53:25 - What CIA & DEA are doing in Mexico today 01:55:38 - Truth behind El Mencho killing 02:04:38 - "Running with the wolves" 02:09:58 - Cartels have biological weapons 02:13:11 - Cartels own our marijuana dispensaries 02:19:39 - Fentanyl wars in Mexico 02:25:08 - How to fix the cartel problem 02:27:12 - Incineration camps in Mexico 02:32:16 - Cartels are richer & more dangerous than ever 02:38:19 - "It's all true" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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