Episode

#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
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3:42:28
Published: Thu Nov 26 2020
Description

In this episode of The Shawn Ryan Show, former Navy SEAL/CIA Contractor Shawn Ryan sits down with Ed Calderon. For over a decade Ed Calderon worked in the fields of counter narcotics, organized crime investigation, in the northern-border region of Mexico. He is a considered to be one of the top experts in the operations and tactics of the Mexican Drug Cartels and Narcos. Shawn and Ed discuss everything from Ed's personal experiences fighting cartels face to face and the mental and physical scars it has left behind forever, to why China is involving themselves in cartel operations deep in Mexico to how the Cartels are effectively utilizing American street gangs to push more drugs into the United States. Vigilance Elite/Shawn Ryan Links: Website - https://www.shawnryanshow.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnryanshow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shawnryan762 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chapters
Ed Calderon is finally on The Sean Ryan Show, after receiving numerous requests to release his episode.
00:00 - 01:59 (01:59)
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Ed Calderon, The Sean Ryan Show
Summary

Ed Calderon is finally on The Sean Ryan Show, after receiving numerous requests to release his episode. The episode is sponsored by Vigilance Elite, offering over 100 tactical training videos and merchandise on their website.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
Joe Rogan discusses his past addiction to cocaine and immersion in narco culture before introducing a guest known as 007, who shares his experiences with the new generation cartel and its growing influence during COVID.
01:59 - 07:19 (05:19)
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Narcotics
Summary

Joe Rogan discusses his past addiction to cocaine and immersion in narco culture before introducing a guest known as 007, who shares his experiences with the new generation cartel and its growing influence during COVID.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The discussion centers around the historical significance of gold guns in Mexico as status symbols spanning from Chalino Sanchez's 38 commander commando gun to O'Chapo's famous pistol, and how this relates to the fascination with gold in general.
07:19 - 14:44 (07:24)
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Mexico
Summary

The discussion centers around the historical significance of gold guns in Mexico as status symbols spanning from Chalino Sanchez's 38 commander commando gun to O'Chapo's famous pistol, and how this relates to the fascination with gold in general. The speaker recounts experiences working for the government in Mexico and shares insights gained from conversations with diverse individuals.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker talks about his experience in training and advising different groups and sharing the knowledge he gained from various sources.
14:44 - 20:01 (05:16)
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Training and Advising
Summary

The speaker talks about his experience in training and advising different groups and sharing the knowledge he gained from various sources. He also mentions learning some tricks related to site exploitation from a 15-year-old and sharing them with other people across the country.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
A discussion about the increased security precautions at the border and the impact on wait times, as well as the personal story of a former law enforcement officer who was once in med school.
20:01 - 24:50 (04:48)
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Border Security
Summary

A discussion about the increased security precautions at the border and the impact on wait times, as well as the personal story of a former law enforcement officer who was once in med school. The conversation touches on the migration of skilled workers to cartels and where the speaker was during 9/11.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
Discussion on the history of the Drug War in Mexico, including cartel conflicts and government involvement.
24:50 - 30:01 (05:11)
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Drug War
Summary

Discussion on the history of the Drug War in Mexico, including cartel conflicts and government involvement.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
A former member of a Mexican drug cartel talks about his experiences with the do-maker, who was responsible for disposing of bodies using caustic soda.
30:01 - 35:42 (05:40)
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Mexican drug cartels
Summary

A former member of a Mexican drug cartel talks about his experiences with the do-maker, who was responsible for disposing of bodies using caustic soda. He also shares about his time working in Baja and meeting the do-maker personally.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker recounts the experience of working directly with the military and operational police to combat cartels, including the fear that was put into the enemies and the loss of friends who were killed by cartel members disguised as government agents.
35:42 - 38:52 (03:10)
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Military, Cartels
Summary

The speaker recounts the experience of working directly with the military and operational police to combat cartels, including the fear that was put into the enemies and the loss of friends who were killed by cartel members disguised as government agents.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker recounts a heart-pumping experience where they came across high-level cartel members with a strange door containing frozen suckling pigs and the sound of rounds going off in the background.
38:53 - 45:15 (06:21)
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Cartel
Summary

The speaker recounts a heart-pumping experience where they came across high-level cartel members with a strange door containing frozen suckling pigs and the sound of rounds going off in the background.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker discusses the number of military personnel involved in conducting raids on cartels and the need to build public confidence in their abilities.
45:17 - 48:42 (03:24)
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Military raids, Cartels
Summary

The speaker discusses the number of military personnel involved in conducting raids on cartels and the need to build public confidence in their abilities. He also shares a personal anecdote about gaining notoriety through social media.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
Al-Qaeda target opportunities that are easy and make for headline news, like the cupola in Tijuana, which they selected due to its castle-like structure and giant dome resembling a mosque.
48:42 - 55:25 (06:43)
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Al-Qaeda
Summary

Al-Qaeda target opportunities that are easy and make for headline news, like the cupola in Tijuana, which they selected due to its castle-like structure and giant dome resembling a mosque. It is reported that fresh children were chosen for evacuation, potentially indicating some level of mutual respect between the police and the cartel.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker shares their experiences of navigating underground plumbing networks while doing unauthorized repairs in economically challenged areas with poor housing conditions.
55:25 - 1:00:53 (05:28)
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Plumbing
Summary

The speaker shares their experiences of navigating underground plumbing networks while doing unauthorized repairs in economically challenged areas with poor housing conditions.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The efforts of certain individuals, including Lieutenant Colonel Lezola and a honorable governor, have helped pacify cartels and reduce their visibility in Mexico's drug war.
1:00:54 - 1:09:41 (08:46)
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Mexico's drug war
Summary

The efforts of certain individuals, including Lieutenant Colonel Lezola and a honorable governor, have helped pacify cartels and reduce their visibility in Mexico's drug war.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
A former Mexican police officer discusses the harsh realities of working in law enforcement during the drug war and how many officers are being underpaid and exploited by the powerful drug organizations they are trying to combat.
1:09:41 - 1:14:42 (05:01)
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Mexican drug war
Summary

A former Mexican police officer discusses the harsh realities of working in law enforcement during the drug war and how many officers are being underpaid and exploited by the powerful drug organizations they are trying to combat.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The head of the Sinaloa cartel was not El Chapo, who was probably number three or number four in the structure of the cartel.
1:14:42 - 1:23:14 (08:31)
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Cartels
Summary

The head of the Sinaloa cartel was not El Chapo, who was probably number three or number four in the structure of the cartel. One cartel grew to 100,000 strong within a few years, making it almost impossible to know who was on their side or selling drugs for rival cartels.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The federal colonia in Ciudad Juárez is one of the biggest drug markets where large drug loads come to be stored before being distributed to the US, along with an uptake in precious metals being trafficked as payment.
1:23:14 - 1:30:45 (07:31)
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Drug Trafficking
Summary

The federal colonia in Ciudad Juárez is one of the biggest drug markets where large drug loads come to be stored before being distributed to the US, along with an uptake in precious metals being trafficked as payment. Sicarios, the enforcement arm, are responsible for securing drug routes and eliminating rivals.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
There are currently operations from Cuban intelligence services in Mexico, while China has partnerships and influences in Venezuela.
1:30:46 - 1:42:32 (11:46)
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Mexico
Summary

There are currently operations from Cuban intelligence services in Mexico, while China has partnerships and influences in Venezuela. With the lack of police presence, drug cartels have seized the opportunity to move their products and control crime in the region.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The opioid crisis is largely fueled by the combination of heroin and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine.
1:42:32 - 1:50:20 (07:47)
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fentanyl
Summary

The opioid crisis is largely fueled by the combination of heroin and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is also being used to make fake pain medication, and China is a major source of both the drug and the counterfeit pills.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The Cartel De Jalisco is currently one of Mexico's most significant cartels alongside the New Generation Cartel, who are becoming increasingly powerful.
1:50:20 - 1:54:34 (04:13)
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Cartel De Jalisco
Summary

The Cartel De Jalisco is currently one of Mexico's most significant cartels alongside the New Generation Cartel, who are becoming increasingly powerful. Unlike the Sinaloa cartel, the Cartel De Jalisco does not showcase their wealth but is a major threat nonetheless.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The Zeta cartel was started by Mexican special operations soldiers who eventually turned to drug trafficking.
1:54:34 - 2:01:01 (06:27)
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Zeta Cartel
Summary

The Zeta cartel was started by Mexican special operations soldiers who eventually turned to drug trafficking. There are rumors that the Mexican government has a deal with the Sinaloa cartel, which has led to a crackdown on the Zetas.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
Highly trained warfighters from world's best military units, coupled with their experience, have resulted in the development of scary stuff such as weaponized drones as well as specialized gear like scopes with German glass and full body armors.
2:01:01 - 2:09:31 (08:29)
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Military Operations
Summary

Highly trained warfighters from world's best military units, coupled with their experience, have resulted in the development of scary stuff such as weaponized drones as well as specialized gear like scopes with German glass and full body armors. These fighters remain top-notch earners, taking home up to twelve thousand dollars every two weeks, plus whatever they find.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker discusses the various methods and costs of crossing the border illegally, as well as the presence of indentured slavery in the US.
2:09:31 - 2:17:06 (07:35)
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Immigration
Summary

The speaker discusses the various methods and costs of crossing the border illegally, as well as the presence of indentured slavery in the US.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The Mexican drug cartels seem to be a model for the way businesses are conducted, and there is clear influence going the other way from origin points to all the way up.
2:17:06 - 2:22:24 (05:18)
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Mexican Drug Cartels
Summary

The Mexican drug cartels seem to be a model for the way businesses are conducted, and there is clear influence going the other way from origin points to all the way up. There is discussion about the relation between the Colombian drug cartels and the Mexican ones due to the influx of cocaine into Mexico.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The tradition of creating drug-lord legends continues in Mexico with figures like El Sino de los Cielos, while drug cartels use tactics like giving back to the community to gain support, despite their violent operations.
2:22:24 - 2:30:09 (07:44)
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Mexico, drug cartels
Summary

The tradition of creating drug-lord legends continues in Mexico with figures like El Sino de los Cielos, while drug cartels use tactics like giving back to the community to gain support, despite their violent operations.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The belief in Santa Muerte is older than Catholicism in Mexico and serves as a representation of what one could become.
2:30:09 - 2:34:44 (04:34)
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Mexican Folklore
Summary

The belief in Santa Muerte is older than Catholicism in Mexico and serves as a representation of what one could become. The depiction of Santa Muerte has evolved over time, representing the corrosion of Mexican culture.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The use of ceremonies and occult practices is common in some government and police organizations.
2:34:44 - 2:41:48 (07:03)
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Government, Police, Occult Practices, Ceremonies
Summary

The use of ceremonies and occult practices is common in some government and police organizations. Sicarios, for instance, wear silver instead of gold because they believe gold attracts the devil's attention.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
Armie Hammer's former roommate shares stories of their eccentric adventures, including a strange fetish for 80s, ranchero music and drunken nights.
2:41:49 - 2:48:26 (06:37)
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Armie Hammer
Summary

Armie Hammer's former roommate shares stories of their eccentric adventures, including a strange fetish for 80s, ranchero music and drunken nights.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker shares his personal experience of overcoming PTSD in veterans and the importance of finding support in the veteran community through therapy and acceptance.
2:48:27 - 2:54:26 (05:59)
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PTSD
Summary

The speaker shares his personal experience of overcoming PTSD in veterans and the importance of finding support in the veteran community through therapy and acceptance.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The act of going to mass and partaking in the sacrament of the bread and wine holds a symbolic meaning that is reflected in the handing of a silver coin at the start of a leadership position; understanding the history and culture of war can contextualize and provide insight into handling PTSD.
2:54:26 - 2:59:17 (04:50)
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Leadership
Summary

The act of going to mass and partaking in the sacrament of the bread and wine holds a symbolic meaning that is reflected in the handing of a silver coin at the start of a leadership position; understanding the history and culture of war can contextualize and provide insight into handling PTSD.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker shares an anecdote about being told by someone that going back home is like the train has left the station, which gave them the focus to drive straight home instead of completing work tasks as instructed.
2:59:18 - 3:03:44 (04:25)
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Motivation
Summary

The speaker shares an anecdote about being told by someone that going back home is like the train has left the station, which gave them the focus to drive straight home instead of completing work tasks as instructed.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker learned the importance of humanizing people in a political environment after being given eyes by someone who saw beyond their political affiliations.
3:03:44 - 3:09:31 (05:47)
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Politics
Summary

The speaker learned the importance of humanizing people in a political environment after being given eyes by someone who saw beyond their political affiliations. This helped the speaker to relate and communicate with people effectively despite their differences.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The podcast host discusses the similar experiences of immigrants and soldiers who have seen and gone through hard things, those who have survived but are no longer around, and how it takes time to overcome these challenges.
3:09:31 - 3:14:06 (04:35)
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War, Immigration
Summary

The podcast host discusses the similar experiences of immigrants and soldiers who have seen and gone through hard things, those who have survived but are no longer around, and how it takes time to overcome these challenges.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker expresses their desire for loved ones to enjoy life and for everyone to take notice of the natural beauty that surrounds them every day.
3:14:07 - 3:19:52 (05:45)
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Life and Loss
Summary

The speaker expresses their desire for loved ones to enjoy life and for everyone to take notice of the natural beauty that surrounds them every day. They also reflect on how memories of lost loved ones can change over time.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The Beatles, in their heyday, would take mushroom trips with Maria Sabina in Mexico.
3:19:52 - 3:26:04 (06:12)
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Psychedelics
Summary

The Beatles, in their heyday, would take mushroom trips with Maria Sabina in Mexico. Psychedelics can lead to a clear, honest conversation with oneself, in contrast to the mental fog of prescription medications.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The drug war in Mexico is being financially supported by the US government through tax money and funding companies that benefit from it, leading to the escalation of violence in the region.
3:26:04 - 3:30:19 (04:14)
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US-Mexico Relations
Summary

The drug war in Mexico is being financially supported by the US government through tax money and funding companies that benefit from it, leading to the escalation of violence in the region. The American people must demand transparency from their representatives and take action against this ineffective and harmful policy.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
The speaker believes that the current situation in Mexico with drug cartels and violence could lead to American intervention and conflict in the near future, despite Mexican resistance to American interventionism.
3:30:22 - 3:39:38 (09:16)
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Mexico, drug cartels, American intervention
Summary

The speaker believes that the current situation in Mexico with drug cartels and violence could lead to American intervention and conflict in the near future, despite Mexican resistance to American interventionism.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show
A friend praises the host for spreading a meaningful message and reminds him of his success, while an ad interrupts their conversation to talk about the features of Hyundai's vehicles.
3:39:39 - 3:41:38 (01:59)
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Self-Esteem, Advertisement
Summary

A friend praises the host for spreading a meaningful message and reminds him of his success, while an ad interrupts their conversation to talk about the features of Hyundai's vehicles.

Episode
#7 Ed Calderon Drug Cartel / Narcos Expert
Podcast
Shawn Ryan Show