# Inside Cartel Operations in Arizona with Former SWAT Commander Matthew Thomas

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375/inside-cartel-operations-in-arizona-with-former-swat-commander-matthew-thomas
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375/inside-cartel-operations-in-arizona-with-former-swat-commander-matthew-thomas.md
Podcast: [Change Agents with Andy Stumpf](https://stenobird.com/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375)
Published: 2026-03-11T21:38:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/clrtpod.com/m/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/1184/traffic.megaphone.fm/IRD9929759719.mp3?updated=1773891742
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/clrtpod.com/m/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/1184/traffic.megaphone.fm/IRD9929759719.mp3?updated=1773891742
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375/episodes/inside-cartel-operations-in-arizona-with-former-swat-commander-matthew-thomas
Duration seconds: 4004

## Resource

On this episode of Change Agents, Andy Stumpf talks with Matthew Thomas about cartel operations in Arizona, how cartels recruit members in the U.S., the brutality of cartel operations and more. Matthew Thomas is a retired Chief Deputy at the Pinal County Sheriff's Office in Arizona, where he led the regional SWAT team for 18 years. He frequently went undercover during anti-cartel operations. He is the author of “Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels.” Chapters: (01:29) The Operation to Take Out El Mencho (06:37) Pinal County’s Role in the Cartel Wars (12:02) The State of Border Security (16:43) Tunnel Systems Run by Cartels (22:38) Going Undercover to Fight Cartels (32:37) U.S. Citizens Working for Cartels (36:06) Sicario vs. Rip Team Battles (47:41) Cartel Members Getting Military Training (52:06) Cartel Human Trafficking Operations Sponsors: Firecracker Farm Use code IRONCLAD to get 15% off your first order at https://firecracker.farm/ GHOSTBED: Go to https://www.GhostBed.com/IRONCLAD and use code IRONCLAD for an extra 15% off sitewide. Norwood Sawmills: Learn more about Norwood Sawmills and how you can start milling your own lumber at https://norwoodsawmills.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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