Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Episode 19 -- A Re-Examination of The Last Narc - Part 1

The Amazon Prime docuseries The Last Narc, directed by Tiller Russell and starring retired DEA agent Hector Berrellez, makes a number of significant, if incredible, claims and assertions regarding the Camarena case. 
A thorough review of the program, however, reveals startling inconsistencies and factual errors in the series itself that call into question the veracity of those claims and allegations and require a skeptical, if not dubious, view of the filmmakers and distributors themselves.  

Episode 18 -- The Capture of Rafael Caro Quintero

This past Friday, Rafael Caro Quintero was captured by Mexican Marines in the state of Sinaloa.  This episode looks at the known facts regarding his capture and touches on some of the issues raised by the capture and its timing.  In addition, Agent Camarena's supervisor and friend, Jaime Kuykendall, gives his thoughts on these events.
Out of respect for Agent Camarena and Captain Zavala, as well as 14 people who perished in a helicopter crash after supporting the apprehension operation, this is a solemn episode that does not delve into the controversies and issues we have addressed over the last several weeks.  

Episode 17 -- Ruben Zuno-Arce: Who He Was and Why He is Important (Pt. 2)

Our examination of Ruben Zuno-Arce's case in this episode, combined with the facts presented in Part 1, provides a foundation for us to question the government's investigation and prosecution of the Camarena case, including issues of government overreach, dubious witnesses, paid informants, and false allegations.  This analysis is relevant to not only the Camarena case, but also to other and current government investigations.  

Episode 16 -- Ruben Zuno-Arce: Who He Was and Why He is Important (Pt. 1)

Ruben Zuno-Arce was a central figure in two criminal trials in the U.S., a key subject of several episodes of Narcos: Mexico, and is vilified in The Last Narc.  
This episode takes a look at who Mr. Zuno was, his history and background, and analyzes the two criminal trials and the witnesses against Mr. Zuno.  This episode leads into next week's second part which will detail why Mr. Zuno's case is significant and what it can tell us about the government's investigations and prosecutions.

James Kuykendall Interview -- Part 2 (Corrected)

I recently learned that for many the recording of part 2 of my interview with Jaime Kuykendall was playing Jaime's answers but not my questions.  Because I think that interview is so important, I am republishing it and hope you will take the time to hear the full conversation.  
 

Episode 15 -- Justice Served, Justice Delayed, and Justice Denied

In this Episode, we discuss whether justice has been served, delayed, or denied with respect to several individuals, including the major traffickers, some criminal defendants, some witnesses in the criminal trials, and, especially for Agent Camarena.  

Episode 14 -- Jaime Kuykendall Part 2

This episode is the second part of my interview with Jaime Kuykendall.  Today, we discuss Agent Camarena's abduction, the investigation into his disappearance, the suspects, the interrogation recordings, and more.  

Episode 13 -- An Interview with James Kuykendall - Part 1

Jaime Kuykendall.  Agent Camarena's superior and friend.  The man who likely knows more of the background facts of the Camarena case than any other person.  A man whose reputation has been questioned.   This episode is Part 1 of our interview with Agent Kuykendall, and we jump right into a discussion of The Last Narc, the DEA's Guadalajara office, and the investigations of Guadalajara's major traffickers.  

Episode 12 -- Debunking the CIA Myth in the Last Narc

A primary allegation in The Last Narc is that the CIA was directly involved in the abduction, interrogation and murder of Agent Camarena.  This episode exposes the lack of credible, verifiable, contemporaneous evidence to support that allegation and questions that basic logic and foundation underlying that claim and related assertions.  

Episode 11 -- The Allegations of CIA Involvement in Agent Camarena’s Abduction

Allegations of CIA involvement in the abduction of Agent Camarena were widely reported but barely scrutinized.  In this episode, we break down the specific allegations and begin to evaluate the support for the assertions of CIA involvement.