# Rocky Mountain Cartels: How Mercenaries Fuel CJNG & Sinaloa Operations

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375/rocky-mountain-cartels-how-mercenaries-fuel-cjng-sinaloa-operations
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375/rocky-mountain-cartels-how-mercenaries-fuel-cjng-sinaloa-operations.md
Podcast: [Change Agents with Andy Stumpf](https://stenobird.com/podcast/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375)
Published: 2026-02-25T20:45:00+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/IRD2112541428.mp3?updated=1772179625
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/IRD2112541428.mp3?updated=1772179625
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/change-agents-with-andy-stumpf-6206375/episodes/rocky-mountain-cartels-how-mercenaries-fuel-cjng-sinaloa-operations
Duration seconds: 3600

## Resource

On today's episode, Andy sits down with Jonathan Pullen, Assistant Chief of Operations for the South Central Region of the DEA. They discuss the logistics of the modern drug trade, the international supply chain of fentanyl precursor chemicals, and cartel operations along both the northern and southern U.S. borders. Chapters: (00:00) Cold Open & Introduction (01:16) What is the DEA's True Role? (03:05) China's Involvement in the Fentanyl Crisis (08:15) Smuggling Rings Beyond the Major Cartels (11:31) The Northern Border Threat & Montana Pipelines (17:02) How Drugs Move Across the U.S. (The Denver Hub) (20:32) Cartel Smuggling Tactics & Forced Labor (24:43) Money Laundering: Cash, Crypto, & MSBs (29:07) The Epidemic on Native American Reservations (34:59) Why Fentanyl is Deadlier Than Previous Drug Crises (42:05) Raiding an Underground TdA Nightclub in Denver (50:49) The DEA's Biggest Hurdle Right Now (55:03) A Final Warning to Parents 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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