Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:00:05,088 --> 00:00:06,338
(lighter clicks).
2
00:00:06,340 --> 00:00:08,180
(inhale).
3
00:00:09,343 --> 00:00:11,603
(bubbling).
4
00:00:13,013 --> 00:00:14,433
(lighter clicks).
5
00:00:14,431 --> 00:00:15,971
(heartbeat).
6
00:00:15,974 --> 00:00:18,024
REPORTER (over TV): Meth hasmade an alarming comeback.
7
00:00:18,018 --> 00:00:21,558
REPORTER (over TV): Casesinvolving meth have spikedover 1,000%.
8
00:00:21,563 --> 00:00:23,023
REPORTER (over TV): Holdingmeth is still a major problem.
9
00:00:23,023 --> 00:00:25,033
REPORTER (over TV):Meth is trending up.
10
00:00:25,025 --> 00:00:26,485
REPORTER (over TV): Especiallyprevalent in middle classneighborhoods.
11
00:00:26,485 --> 00:00:28,195
REPORTER (over TV): Morepowerful. More plentiful.
12
00:00:28,195 --> 00:00:29,945
REPORTER (over TV):Easy to find and so cheap.
13
00:00:29,947 --> 00:00:32,117
MAN: If you want it,
you can get it.
14
00:00:33,116 --> 00:00:36,156
MARIANA: It's being called a
"new wave" of crystal meth.
15
00:00:40,999 --> 00:00:43,379
MARIANA: A generation after
US government crackdown on
16
00:00:43,377 --> 00:00:46,837
labs and ingredients
torpedoed the drug's supply.
17
00:00:46,838 --> 00:00:49,588
Meth is back with a vengeance.
18
00:00:50,592 --> 00:00:53,602
WOMAN: I basically learned how
to be a high‐functioning addict.
19
00:00:53,595 --> 00:00:54,925
MAN: We call it
Zombieland now,
20
00:00:54,930 --> 00:00:56,640
because everybody's
zombied the (bleep) out.
21
00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:58,350
MARIANA: I want to
know who's making it,
22
00:00:58,350 --> 00:01:01,020
how it's being trafficked,
and why it's become such
23
00:01:01,019 --> 00:01:03,229
a hot commodity again.
24
00:01:03,230 --> 00:01:04,980
OFFICER: Police department!
Search warrant.
25
00:01:05,857 --> 00:01:07,227
MARIANA: It's the military.
26
00:01:07,234 --> 00:01:08,744
They're covering their faces,
which is never good.
27
00:01:08,735 --> 00:01:11,525
This is a journey to uncover the
most prolific meth pipeline
28
00:01:11,530 --> 00:01:14,160
the world has ever seen.
29
00:01:14,157 --> 00:01:15,367
MIKE: The thing
about this drug,
30
00:01:15,367 --> 00:01:17,827
she always wins in the end.
31
00:01:28,046 --> 00:01:32,376
♪ ♪
32
00:01:32,384 --> 00:01:34,644
VOICE: 14th floor.
33
00:01:37,973 --> 00:01:39,733
MARIANA: I think it's here.
34
00:01:39,725 --> 00:01:43,435
I can hear
somebody talking so.
35
00:01:45,063 --> 00:01:47,983
One of the reasons he picks
this hotel is because
there are no cameras.
36
00:01:47,983 --> 00:01:49,363
Hi.
37
00:01:49,359 --> 00:01:50,609
MIKE: Hi.
38
00:01:50,610 --> 00:01:51,740
MARIANA: Hi. I'm Mariana.
How are you doing?
39
00:01:51,737 --> 00:01:53,857
MIKE: Fan (bleep) tastic.
40
00:02:00,579 --> 00:02:02,459
MARIANA: How many people are
you expecting to come tonight?
41
00:02:02,456 --> 00:02:04,036
You have a phone
full of messages?
42
00:02:04,041 --> 00:02:06,001
MIKE: Yes, tons of them.
43
00:02:06,001 --> 00:02:07,841
MARIANA: 50 messages?
MIKE: Yeah.
44
00:02:09,629 --> 00:02:11,589
MARIANA: And everyone there,
they're trying to buy drugs
from you?
45
00:02:11,590 --> 00:02:13,550
MIKE: I dabble with a lot
of different communities.
46
00:02:13,550 --> 00:02:16,050
The freaks come out at night.
47
00:02:16,553 --> 00:02:19,263
MARIANA: This is Mike, a
meth dealer from Austin.
48
00:02:19,723 --> 00:02:22,643
He tells me he's been dealing
meth for more than five years.
49
00:02:23,393 --> 00:02:25,853
He doesn't like his clients
knowing where he lives.
50
00:02:25,854 --> 00:02:27,814
MIKE: Hi, girl.
51
00:02:27,814 --> 00:02:31,574
MARIANA: So he posts up at
a hotel for what he refers
to as a cattle call.
52
00:02:31,943 --> 00:02:33,073
So who's coming up now?
53
00:02:33,070 --> 00:02:34,700
MIKE: Mr. Pink.
54
00:02:34,696 --> 00:02:36,656
MARIANA: After
some convincing,
55
00:02:36,657 --> 00:02:40,367
Mike allows us to watch
as he conducts deals on a
very busy Friday night.
56
00:02:44,831 --> 00:02:45,871
MIKE: You want
some crystal meth?
57
00:02:45,874 --> 00:02:47,384
MR. PINK: Yes.
MIKE: Okay.
58
00:02:47,376 --> 00:02:50,836
Come here.
Sit on Santa's lap.
59
00:02:51,463 --> 00:02:52,763
Thank you.
60
00:02:57,969 --> 00:03:00,009
MARIANA: It seems like every
deal is interrupted by
61
00:03:00,013 --> 00:03:02,433
another call from
another customer.
62
00:03:02,766 --> 00:03:04,016
BUYER: Thank you.
63
00:03:04,017 --> 00:03:05,887
MARIANA: The last time
meth was this popular,
64
00:03:05,894 --> 00:03:08,234
Mike was in elementary school.
65
00:03:10,774 --> 00:03:13,154
REPORTER (over TV): It's calledcrank, crystal or speed.
66
00:03:13,151 --> 00:03:14,491
REPORTER (over TV):Federal officials say
67
00:03:14,486 --> 00:03:17,106
more than 12 millionAmericans have tried it.
68
00:03:17,114 --> 00:03:18,374
MAN (over TV): And onceyou get that high,
69
00:03:18,365 --> 00:03:20,025
you just want more,and more, and more.
70
00:03:20,033 --> 00:03:23,043
MARIANA: In the late
'90s and early 2000s,
71
00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:26,206
a new type of drug epidemic
began playing out on local
72
00:03:26,206 --> 00:03:28,626
news stations
across the country.
73
00:03:28,625 --> 00:03:31,125
MAN (over TV): This is theresult of a meth lab exploding.
74
00:03:31,128 --> 00:03:33,708
MARIANA: When they
weren't killing themselves,
75
00:03:33,713 --> 00:03:37,303
amateur chemists were cooking
meth from a toxic mix of
76
00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:40,850
household chemicals and over
the counter cold medicine.
77
00:03:40,846 --> 00:03:43,926
It was a DIY phenomenon
that produced one of the most
78
00:03:43,932 --> 00:03:46,602
addictive drugs ever seen.
79
00:03:46,601 --> 00:03:50,061
And one of the best
TV series ever made.
80
00:03:50,605 --> 00:03:52,475
JESSE: This is art, Mr. White.
81
00:03:52,482 --> 00:03:56,862
WALTER: Actually it's
just basic chemistry
but thank you, Jesse.
82
00:03:56,862 --> 00:03:58,822
I'm glad it is acceptable.
83
00:03:58,822 --> 00:04:02,742
MARIANA: It was an epidemic
that was devastating rural
white America.
84
00:04:04,411 --> 00:04:07,121
Perhaps the most lasting
images from those days were
85
00:04:07,122 --> 00:04:10,542
put together by a
sheriff's deputy in Oregon.
86
00:04:10,542 --> 00:04:14,382
A series of before and after
mug shots of users that became
87
00:04:14,379 --> 00:04:17,719
known simply as
"the faces of meth."
88
00:04:19,593 --> 00:04:22,683
But as I talk to some of
Mike's clients in Austin,
89
00:04:22,679 --> 00:04:24,179
they surprise me.
90
00:04:24,181 --> 00:04:26,021
WOMAN: I try to
keep us in my, like,
91
00:04:26,016 --> 00:04:27,766
together appearance.
92
00:04:27,768 --> 00:04:30,848
I don't look like somebody
from the faces of meth.
93
00:04:32,189 --> 00:04:34,069
WOMAN: I am.
94
00:04:35,192 --> 00:04:38,282
MARIANA: Not in a million
years would I think that
you use meth.
95
00:04:38,278 --> 00:04:40,198
MAN: Well, I appreciate that,
I think, because
96
00:04:40,197 --> 00:04:43,117
I think there is a certain
stigma that we're all like
97
00:04:43,116 --> 00:04:46,996
toothless and eating people when
we don't sleep for ten days.
98
00:04:46,995 --> 00:04:49,745
I have an education
and I have a job.
99
00:04:49,748 --> 00:04:50,708
MARIANA: You're a lawyer.
100
00:04:50,707 --> 00:04:51,627
MAN: Yes.
101
00:04:51,625 --> 00:04:52,995
G: I sell cars actually.
102
00:04:53,001 --> 00:04:54,751
MARIANA: You are able to
function and hold a job?
103
00:04:54,753 --> 00:04:56,763
SPEAKER X: Yes.
Yes, for sure.
104
00:04:56,755 --> 00:05:00,925
WOMAN: I was an interior
designer in a very
affluent part of town.
105
00:05:00,926 --> 00:05:02,216
MARIANA: And
you're able to work?
106
00:05:02,219 --> 00:05:03,389
WOMAN: Yeah.
107
00:05:03,386 --> 00:05:04,546
MARIANA: How often
do you use meth?
108
00:05:06,264 --> 00:05:07,434
MARIANA: And why
do you use it?
109
00:05:07,432 --> 00:05:09,312
SPEAKER X: It's a habit.
It's just what I do.
110
00:05:09,309 --> 00:05:11,769
It's not what I wanna do,
but it's just what I do.
111
00:05:17,651 --> 00:05:20,821
MARIANA: The demographics of
meth users may have changed
112
00:05:20,821 --> 00:05:24,491
but the control the drug asserts
over those users has not.
113
00:05:25,575 --> 00:05:28,075
It comes from the
power of dopamine.
114
00:05:28,078 --> 00:05:32,328
Meth unleashes a concentrated
high to the pleasure
sensors of the brain.
115
00:05:33,208 --> 00:05:37,248
And explains why it's so easy
for users of any background to
116
00:05:37,254 --> 00:05:39,924
become addicted.
117
00:05:40,715 --> 00:05:41,755
How do you do it?
118
00:05:41,758 --> 00:05:43,178
G: I inject it. Yeah.
119
00:05:43,176 --> 00:05:44,546
MARIANA: Is that a more
dangerous way of doing it or
120
00:05:44,553 --> 00:05:45,603
more powerful at least?
121
00:05:45,595 --> 00:05:47,595
G: It's more
addictive I would say.
122
00:05:47,597 --> 00:05:48,967
WOMAN: It's not
even a decision.
123
00:05:48,974 --> 00:05:52,064
It's like a loop you
just can't get off of.
124
00:05:52,519 --> 00:05:54,229
You just reach for it.
125
00:05:54,229 --> 00:05:57,319
I basically learned how to
be a high‐functioning addict.
126
00:05:58,066 --> 00:06:00,026
MARIANA: Mike is
an addict too.
127
00:06:00,026 --> 00:06:03,316
When he's not dealing,
he's often using.
128
00:06:03,321 --> 00:06:06,781
His relationship with meth
has been a rollercoaster.
129
00:06:07,576 --> 00:06:10,036
MIKE: I had three houses,
two cars and lost it all.
130
00:06:10,036 --> 00:06:11,996
Homeless in the
streets for four years.
131
00:06:11,997 --> 00:06:13,207
MARIANA: Have you
done time in prison?
132
00:06:13,206 --> 00:06:14,826
MIKE: I have three felonies.
133
00:06:14,833 --> 00:06:16,673
MARIANA: For drugs?
MIKE: Possession.
134
00:06:16,668 --> 00:06:19,128
If I catch
another one, I'm gone.
135
00:06:19,129 --> 00:06:21,089
It's a life sentence.
136
00:06:21,089 --> 00:06:23,219
I made a promise to my mother
that I will be here to take
137
00:06:23,216 --> 00:06:25,636
care of her, and
I'm gonna keep that.
138
00:06:29,681 --> 00:06:33,641
MARIANA: Mike and his
clients are some of
the new faces of meth.
139
00:06:34,060 --> 00:06:36,190
MIKE: Go hit it.
140
00:06:36,187 --> 00:06:38,357
MARIANA: I want to understand
why meth is making such a
141
00:06:38,356 --> 00:06:41,526
comeback and where
it's all coming from.
142
00:06:47,198 --> 00:06:48,488
DEA COP: All right.
Bring it in, guys.
143
00:06:48,491 --> 00:06:49,741
Pull your phones.
144
00:06:49,743 --> 00:06:52,163
So DEA SRT has executed
a state search warrant.
145
00:06:52,162 --> 00:06:54,712
Subject 1, extremely
lengthy rap sheet.
146
00:06:54,706 --> 00:06:56,116
He's our primary target.
147
00:06:56,124 --> 00:06:59,464
Secondary target has violence
in his rap sheet also.
148
00:06:59,461 --> 00:07:03,131
MARIANA: I'm with the
special response team
of the San Diego DEA
149
00:07:03,131 --> 00:07:05,801
as they're preparing
for an early morning raid.
150
00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:09,390
DEA COP: Any questions?
Questions? All right.
151
00:07:09,387 --> 00:07:11,217
Get up.
152
00:07:11,222 --> 00:07:14,182
MARIANA: Launched in 2020,
Operation Crystal Shield
153
00:07:14,184 --> 00:07:15,944
targets folks like Mike,
154
00:07:15,935 --> 00:07:19,475
traffickers and dealers
across the country.
155
00:07:20,774 --> 00:07:23,574
At the peak of the
last meth craze in 2006,
156
00:07:23,568 --> 00:07:27,278
the US finally put stringent
limits on the sales of cold
157
00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:29,450
medications
containing ephedrine,
158
00:07:29,449 --> 00:07:31,829
the key
ingredient in production.
159
00:07:31,826 --> 00:07:33,656
The supply chain
quickly dried up.
160
00:07:33,662 --> 00:07:35,372
And meth use plummeted.
161
00:07:35,372 --> 00:07:37,752
But the dip was short‐lived.
162
00:07:37,749 --> 00:07:40,629
COP (over radio): DEA SRTjust made the northboundturn on Paramount.
163
00:07:40,627 --> 00:07:43,247
MARIANA: Do you still
get nervous or is this...
164
00:07:43,254 --> 00:07:45,014
DEA COP: Um, it's good
to be a little nervous.
165
00:07:45,006 --> 00:07:47,836
Because if you're not,
then you're not safe.
166
00:07:48,885 --> 00:07:51,595
MARIANA: Tonight in San Diego,
the DEA is targeting the house
167
00:07:51,596 --> 00:07:54,806
of a suspected meth
dealer with prior felonies.
168
00:07:55,350 --> 00:07:57,190
DEA COP: This is it.
169
00:08:03,983 --> 00:08:06,153
COP (over bullhorn): (bleep)Police department.
170
00:08:06,152 --> 00:08:07,112
Search warrant.
171
00:08:07,112 --> 00:08:09,282
42777.
172
00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:11,120
Police departmentwith a search warrant.
173
00:08:11,116 --> 00:08:13,986
Demanding entry pronto
174
00:08:13,993 --> 00:08:16,503
Police departmentcoming in the front door.
175
00:08:16,496 --> 00:08:18,416
Police department.Search warrant.
176
00:08:18,415 --> 00:08:19,785
Demanding entry.
177
00:08:19,791 --> 00:08:21,841
MARIANA: The information
they have is that there is
178
00:08:21,835 --> 00:08:23,995
large quantities of
drugs including meth.
179
00:08:24,003 --> 00:08:27,883
Also possibly guns and we'll
see what they can find out.
180
00:08:28,925 --> 00:08:30,215
COP (over bullhorn): Policedepartment! Search warrant.
181
00:08:30,218 --> 00:08:32,218
Follow the command.
182
00:08:33,012 --> 00:08:35,062
MARIANA: So it's
three total, right?
183
00:08:35,056 --> 00:08:36,846
DEA COP: There's three total
out and there is at least one
more on the inside.
184
00:08:36,850 --> 00:08:37,930
MARIANA: Inside.
185
00:08:37,934 --> 00:08:40,064
DEA COP: Maybe more.
186
00:08:42,188 --> 00:08:45,648
MARIANA: A few hours later,
they're ready to show
me what they found.
187
00:08:45,650 --> 00:08:47,530
So this is crystal?
188
00:08:47,527 --> 00:08:49,027
DEA COP: Crystal, right.
189
00:08:49,029 --> 00:08:50,659
That's a nice big
shard right there.
190
00:08:50,655 --> 00:08:52,315
MARIANA: It is.
191
00:08:52,323 --> 00:08:53,743
Are you guys finding
a difference in the
quality of the meth?
192
00:08:53,742 --> 00:08:54,912
Is it more powerful now?
193
00:08:54,909 --> 00:08:56,329
DEA AGENT: It is.
194
00:08:56,327 --> 00:08:58,457
Most of the meth that we
seized has over 90% purity.
195
00:08:58,455 --> 00:09:00,325
MARIANA: Wow.
196
00:09:00,331 --> 00:09:01,921
DEA AGENT: Which is a lot
different than what it
was 15, 20 years ago.
197
00:09:01,916 --> 00:09:03,746
MARIANA: And if you were to
guess where this is coming
198
00:09:03,752 --> 00:09:05,592
from, where did bag come from?
199
00:09:05,587 --> 00:09:07,297
DEA COP: Oh, uh, from Mexico.
200
00:09:07,297 --> 00:09:08,757
Absolutely.
And it's just right here.
201
00:09:08,757 --> 00:09:12,927
DEA AGENT: Last year, over
50,000 kilos of meth was seized
202
00:09:12,927 --> 00:09:15,347
in California on the
southwest border.
203
00:09:15,346 --> 00:09:18,176
It's increasing every year.
204
00:09:25,023 --> 00:09:26,693
MARIANA: I've never worked
with this guy before and he
205
00:09:26,691 --> 00:09:29,401
just wants to make sure that
we are in fact journalists.
206
00:09:29,694 --> 00:09:32,704
To understand the origins of
this wave of Mexican meth,
207
00:09:32,697 --> 00:09:35,487
I need to go meet
its new suppliers.
208
00:09:37,410 --> 00:09:38,580
What's up?
209
00:09:43,958 --> 00:09:46,288
MARIANA: Okay. Okay.
You guys stay in the car.
210
00:09:49,923 --> 00:09:52,593
I've reported from
Sinaloa many times before.
211
00:09:52,592 --> 00:09:55,302
Hola! Estoy bien, como estas?
Soy Mariana.
212
00:09:55,303 --> 00:09:56,553
I know this drill well.
213
00:10:05,939 --> 00:10:08,109
MARIANA: No one introduces
themselves as cartel members,
214
00:10:08,108 --> 00:10:10,858
but I know exactly
who I'm dealing with.
215
00:10:12,403 --> 00:10:14,613
The Sinaloa cartel
runs the most ruthless
216
00:10:14,614 --> 00:10:17,334
narco‐trafficking
operation on the planet.
217
00:10:17,700 --> 00:10:21,200
They'll do just about
anything to defend
their smuggling routes.
218
00:10:23,581 --> 00:10:26,671
Their violent reputation
hides another truth.
219
00:10:26,668 --> 00:10:29,628
The cartel knows how to
spot a business opportunity.
220
00:10:30,839 --> 00:10:34,179
US authorities may
have torpedoed the
domestic supply of meth,
221
00:10:34,175 --> 00:10:37,045
during its last
heyday in the 2000s.
222
00:10:37,053 --> 00:10:39,473
But they did little
to stem the demand.
223
00:10:40,140 --> 00:10:44,140
That opened the door
for organizations like
the Sinaloa cartel.
224
00:10:45,770 --> 00:10:47,310
I don't know if you
went to the right or left.
225
00:10:47,313 --> 00:10:49,073
MIGUEL (over radio): Right.
226
00:10:49,065 --> 00:10:50,525
MARIANA: Got it. So
we're entering cartel
territory here, right?
227
00:10:50,525 --> 00:10:52,355
MIGUEL (over radio): Yes.
228
00:10:54,404 --> 00:10:56,324
MARIANA: So we're following
this guy who we've been told
229
00:10:56,322 --> 00:10:58,032
he's a lieutenant
for the cartel,
230
00:10:58,032 --> 00:11:00,952
sort of a boss in the cartel.
231
00:11:05,123 --> 00:11:08,423
He's taking us to,
what they call a super
meth lab around here.
232
00:11:09,043 --> 00:11:11,463
We're trying to keep up with
him because he's in, in a hurry.
233
00:11:11,462 --> 00:11:13,632
He says we have
to get there fast.
234
00:11:13,965 --> 00:11:16,465
If we get there.
235
00:11:21,806 --> 00:11:24,976
This is it, guys.
We're here.
236
00:11:25,435 --> 00:11:28,555
There's just a bunch of
masked men waiting for us.
237
00:11:38,990 --> 00:11:42,040
MARIANA: This is it, guys.
We're here.
238
00:11:42,035 --> 00:11:45,955
After driving two hours deeper
into the Sierra Madre mountains,
239
00:11:45,955 --> 00:11:48,495
we arrive at a
very remote location.
240
00:12:09,562 --> 00:12:11,192
MARIANA: Okay.
We can go guys.
241
00:12:11,189 --> 00:12:13,069
Okay. Gracias.
242
00:12:13,608 --> 00:12:15,528
Their walkie‐talkies
are really loud.
243
00:12:23,326 --> 00:12:24,866
MARIANA: Yeah.
244
00:12:24,869 --> 00:12:26,199
So they knew essentially since
we entered the Sierra Madre,
245
00:12:26,204 --> 00:12:28,164
this area here,
that we were here,
246
00:12:28,164 --> 00:12:30,634
that without permission
there's no way we would've
even gotten this close.
247
00:12:44,389 --> 00:12:45,719
MARIANA: Oh, wow, so
you see these pipes?
248
00:12:45,723 --> 00:12:48,523
This is water pipes
they say for the lab.
249
00:12:48,518 --> 00:12:51,558
Can you see how they are trying
to hide them with grass here?
250
00:12:58,486 --> 00:13:00,066
Oh, my God.
251
00:13:00,071 --> 00:13:02,911
This is it. Wow.
252
00:13:03,408 --> 00:13:06,488
This is much bigger than I
thought it was gonna be.
253
00:13:07,328 --> 00:13:09,998
After a long hike, we arrive
at a massive meth production
254
00:13:09,998 --> 00:13:13,918
site, what the Sinaloa
cartel calls a super lab.
255
00:13:17,463 --> 00:13:21,553
MARIANA: Hola.
256
00:13:29,100 --> 00:13:29,930
MARIANA: Lead.
257
00:13:36,774 --> 00:13:38,324
MARIANA: Galleta, which
is what they call cookie,
258
00:13:38,318 --> 00:13:39,608
is a mix of other chemicals.
259
00:13:39,610 --> 00:13:40,990
(speaking Spanish).
260
00:13:40,987 --> 00:13:43,277
MARIANA: Cyanide, lime, alcohol.
261
00:13:43,281 --> 00:13:45,781
And then they put the
fire on, it starts heating.
262
00:13:50,747 --> 00:13:52,247
The smell is so strong.
263
00:13:56,919 --> 00:13:58,459
MARIANA: Make no
mistake about it,
264
00:13:58,463 --> 00:14:01,843
the booming popularity of meth
in the US goes hand‐in‐hand
265
00:14:01,841 --> 00:14:04,261
with the boom in
production here.
266
00:14:04,761 --> 00:14:08,011
Labs like this are cooking
meth on an industrial scale.
267
00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:12,273
A generation ago,
American‐made meth
268
00:14:12,268 --> 00:14:15,228
was only about 60% pure.
269
00:14:15,229 --> 00:14:18,939
The cartels have increased
the purity to above 90%.
270
00:14:19,484 --> 00:14:20,864
It's just showing
you the accuracy.
271
00:14:20,860 --> 00:14:22,400
This is what, the
level that they want.
272
00:14:22,403 --> 00:14:24,663
And it's spot‐on.
273
00:14:25,281 --> 00:14:29,451
And yet cooking the drug
is still as crude and
dangerous as ever.
274
00:14:31,996 --> 00:14:34,416
So you can see just how
rudimentary this all is.
275
00:14:34,415 --> 00:14:35,955
The fire coming
underneath here,
276
00:14:35,958 --> 00:14:38,538
there's a really
strong smell of gas.
277
00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:42,384
There's a thing going
round and round and this
is all made by hand and
278
00:14:42,381 --> 00:14:46,841
you just have the feeling that
this can go wrong really fast.
279
00:15:04,862 --> 00:15:06,242
HOMBRE: No.
MARIANA: Wow.
280
00:15:09,075 --> 00:15:11,235
MARIANA: Okay.
281
00:15:11,244 --> 00:15:13,414
So instead of having to buy
and wait for the precursor
chemicals to come from China,
282
00:15:13,412 --> 00:15:15,792
they're actually making
it all right here.
283
00:15:16,415 --> 00:15:17,955
It's finally happening.
284
00:15:17,959 --> 00:15:21,169
The cartels' drug producers
are becoming self‐reliant.
285
00:15:22,505 --> 00:15:25,295
Only two years ago, I was off
the coast of Mazatlan watching
286
00:15:25,299 --> 00:15:29,549
cartel members fish barrels
of Chinese‐made chemicals
out of the water.
287
00:15:30,012 --> 00:15:33,602
Now, they are free of
Asian suppliers and shipping
288
00:15:33,599 --> 00:15:36,729
timelines and making
the chemicals themselves.
289
00:15:37,395 --> 00:15:40,725
That means more
meth at a faster rate.
290
00:15:42,066 --> 00:15:45,236
So this is the final
step in the whole process.
291
00:15:45,236 --> 00:15:49,526
So this is the crystal
that forms crystal meth.
292
00:15:49,991 --> 00:15:52,451
So they're, it's starting
to boil and the crystal is
293
00:15:52,451 --> 00:15:54,201
starting to form at the top.
294
00:16:46,964 --> 00:16:48,844
MARIANA: I want to understand
how meth produced in the
295
00:16:48,841 --> 00:16:52,351
super lab makes it to America,
so I reach out to my cartel
296
00:16:52,345 --> 00:16:56,095
contact to see the next
link in the supply chain.
297
00:16:59,727 --> 00:17:01,227
It's the military.
298
00:17:01,229 --> 00:17:02,689
But on the way
out of the area,
299
00:17:02,688 --> 00:17:04,688
our cars are surrounded.
300
00:17:08,402 --> 00:17:11,112
There's another one coming.
301
00:17:13,950 --> 00:17:16,240
They're covering their faces,
which is never good.
302
00:17:28,130 --> 00:17:30,470
MARIANA: I'm in Sinaloa
tracking the supply chain of
303
00:17:30,466 --> 00:17:33,086
America's latest drug wave.
304
00:17:33,678 --> 00:17:35,218
We just left a
crew of well‐armed,
305
00:17:35,221 --> 00:17:38,471
masked men cooking insane
amounts of crystal meth.
306
00:17:39,350 --> 00:17:41,850
When our cars are surrounded
by a different crew of
307
00:17:41,852 --> 00:17:44,022
well‐armed, masked men.
308
00:17:44,605 --> 00:17:46,065
It's the military.
309
00:17:46,065 --> 00:17:48,855
The Mexican military.
310
00:17:51,612 --> 00:17:53,952
There's another one coming.
311
00:17:57,076 --> 00:17:59,906
They're covering their faces,
which is never good.
312
00:18:00,621 --> 00:18:03,211
They blocked us behind us
and in front of us, trucks.
313
00:18:03,791 --> 00:18:06,631
We just never know what
exactly their goal is,
314
00:18:06,627 --> 00:18:08,747
why all this intimidation.
315
00:18:19,140 --> 00:18:20,930
MARIANA: As the
military swarms us,
316
00:18:20,933 --> 00:18:23,063
they refuse to give us a
specific reason as to
317
00:18:23,060 --> 00:18:25,560
why we're being detained.
318
00:18:25,563 --> 00:18:27,063
They're saying they
want us out of the car,
319
00:18:27,064 --> 00:18:29,864
they wanna take photos of
us and do an investigation.
320
00:18:46,751 --> 00:18:49,051
MARIANA: They wanna
check the car, guys.
321
00:18:50,504 --> 00:18:53,134
We were essentially
surrounded by military.
322
00:18:53,132 --> 00:18:54,882
They're searching
our cars right now.
323
00:18:54,884 --> 00:18:56,764
Definitely not a pleasant
experience because they're
324
00:18:56,761 --> 00:18:59,221
coming up at us with
guns and they're asking
us all sorts of questions,
325
00:18:59,221 --> 00:19:01,351
asking why we are there,
what we're filming.
326
00:19:06,854 --> 00:19:08,064
MARIANA: Ah, okay, so they're
telling us not to film,
327
00:19:08,064 --> 00:19:10,274
we have to put
cameras down, guys.
328
00:19:10,274 --> 00:19:13,034
As they search our vehicles,
a senior officer demands that
329
00:19:13,027 --> 00:19:15,697
our local producer explain
where we've been and
330
00:19:15,696 --> 00:19:17,366
where we're going.
331
00:19:24,830 --> 00:19:28,210
MARIANA: Ultimately, they
find no reason to keep
us and they let us go.
332
00:19:29,543 --> 00:19:33,713
I mean, that was not a
good situation to be in.
333
00:19:37,093 --> 00:19:39,263
That is a lot of armed men.
334
00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:42,390
But, you know,
corruption is rife in Mexico.
335
00:19:42,640 --> 00:19:44,390
So you never know who
exactly they're working for,
336
00:19:44,392 --> 00:19:46,442
if it's the government
or the cartel themselves.
337
00:19:47,603 --> 00:19:50,523
In Mexico, it's hard to
know where allegiances lie.
338
00:19:50,856 --> 00:19:53,186
The billions of dollars
cartels make running drugs to
339
00:19:53,192 --> 00:19:56,322
the US have
perverted the rule of law,
340
00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:59,620
corrupting government
and law enforcement at
nearly every level.
341
00:20:00,825 --> 00:20:02,785
We were allowed to
continue our journey north,
342
00:20:02,785 --> 00:20:05,905
but it was a good reminder
to never let our guard down.
343
00:20:07,665 --> 00:20:09,575
Okay. So we're still
in narco territory.
344
00:20:09,583 --> 00:20:12,883
And we're heading to a stash
house where they say that they
345
00:20:12,878 --> 00:20:16,258
have crystal meth that has
been packed up or they're
346
00:20:16,257 --> 00:20:17,837
packing it up right now.
347
00:20:17,842 --> 00:20:20,852
I'm unsure but that's going to
be shipped to the US tomorrow.
348
00:20:21,637 --> 00:20:23,307
The problem is it's
getting night here,
349
00:20:23,305 --> 00:20:26,725
which is never when you want to
be in this part of the world.
350
00:20:29,562 --> 00:20:31,612
MIGUEL (over radio):It's here to the left.
351
00:20:31,856 --> 00:20:33,436
MARIANA: Here it is.
We're here.
352
00:20:36,736 --> 00:20:37,736
(speaking Spanish).
353
00:20:41,323 --> 00:20:42,163
MARIANA: Ah, okay.
354
00:20:45,161 --> 00:20:46,251
(speaking Spanish).
355
00:20:46,245 --> 00:20:48,615
MARIANA: Oh, my God.
356
00:20:48,622 --> 00:20:51,002
Holy (bleep) I
cannot believe it.
357
00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:52,330
Wow.
358
00:20:52,334 --> 00:20:53,634
So all this is crystal
meth that came from the lab.
359
00:21:24,950 --> 00:21:26,330
MARIANA: He's showing, okay.
360
00:21:26,327 --> 00:21:27,697
So imagine this is fertilizer,
these are the drugs.
361
00:21:27,703 --> 00:21:30,163
They just cover it all
with real fertilizer.
362
00:21:30,164 --> 00:21:31,424
So if you're
searching the car,
363
00:21:31,415 --> 00:21:34,075
you're not gonna search
each individual piece.
364
00:21:34,502 --> 00:21:37,172
So they have these
four bags and they
have more bags inside.
365
00:21:37,171 --> 00:21:38,301
(speaking Spanish).
366
00:21:38,297 --> 00:21:39,757
MARIANA: "Come and
see this," he's saying.
367
00:21:42,510 --> 00:21:43,760
MARIANA: So it's hidden
in the bathroom I guess.
368
00:21:43,761 --> 00:21:45,851
Here it is one, two,
three, four more.
369
00:21:57,858 --> 00:21:59,818
MARIANA: And they just throw
it in the truck like this,
he's saying.
370
00:21:59,819 --> 00:22:03,029
Just easily, you don't even have
to try to hide it very much.
371
00:22:18,420 --> 00:22:20,880
MARIANA: Half a ton of drugs.
372
00:22:20,881 --> 00:22:23,341
Let's just do
the math on that.
373
00:22:23,342 --> 00:22:27,642
My sources tell me that
one pound of meth in
Mexico goes for $200.
374
00:22:28,430 --> 00:22:32,310
But that price jumps to $650
once it crosses the border.
375
00:22:32,935 --> 00:22:37,515
And up to 1,500 per pound
once it reaches a big
city like Los Angeles.
376
00:22:38,148 --> 00:22:40,778
So if they're moving
half a metric ton to LA
377
00:22:40,776 --> 00:22:43,526
every week,
roughly 1,100 pounds,
378
00:22:43,529 --> 00:22:46,619
They're making more
than $1.4 million
379
00:22:46,615 --> 00:22:49,115
in profit every shipment.
380
00:22:49,118 --> 00:22:53,078
I don't think I've ever seen
just the enormous amount of
381
00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:54,710
drugs that were there tonight.
382
00:22:54,707 --> 00:22:56,747
And they don't
even try to hide it.
383
00:22:56,750 --> 00:23:00,590
Handing over the drugs
to us and we're all
talking openly about it.
384
00:23:00,588 --> 00:23:04,758
And then to find out that
half a ton of meth is
385
00:23:04,758 --> 00:23:08,388
shipped out of here,
that is insane.
386
00:23:09,847 --> 00:23:12,467
America's latest wave of
crystal meth is big business
387
00:23:12,474 --> 00:23:14,644
in cartel land.
388
00:23:14,643 --> 00:23:17,403
Still, I want to understand
how the Sinaloa cartel is
389
00:23:17,396 --> 00:23:22,356
moving so much ice
across the highly‐secured
US border each week,
390
00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:27,319
and how American dealers
like Mike get their
hands on that supply.
391
00:23:36,415 --> 00:23:39,995
♪ ♪
392
00:23:40,002 --> 00:23:42,092
MARIANA: Hey, any news?
393
00:23:42,087 --> 00:23:43,457
ROGER (over phone): We gotinformation that we're gonnabe meeting a biker,
394
00:23:43,464 --> 00:23:46,014
he's smugglingdrugs across the border.
395
00:23:46,008 --> 00:23:48,678
He's crossing now sowe got to hurry up.
396
00:23:48,677 --> 00:23:50,137
MARIANA: Okay.
Any other rules?
397
00:23:50,137 --> 00:23:52,177
Anything we need to
know about beforehand?
398
00:23:52,181 --> 00:23:54,641
ROGER (over phone): Well,they're gonna tell uswhere they want to meet.
399
00:23:54,642 --> 00:23:57,062
It is for theirsecurity and for ours.
400
00:23:57,061 --> 00:23:58,151
MARIANA: Okay, bye.
401
00:23:58,145 --> 00:24:00,395
So it looks like it's on.
402
00:24:01,899 --> 00:24:04,319
I'm in the border town of
Calexico to see how
403
00:24:04,318 --> 00:24:09,198
Mexican cartels smuggle meth
into the biggest illegal drug
market in the world,
404
00:24:09,198 --> 00:24:11,698
the United States of America.
405
00:24:12,409 --> 00:24:14,499
We're here.
406
00:24:16,538 --> 00:24:17,668
MARIANA: Okay.
407
00:24:17,665 --> 00:24:19,745
There's not much to it,
we just wait now.
408
00:24:25,214 --> 00:24:28,384
MIGUEL (over phone):Hey, Mariana, the bikershould arrive to your
409
00:24:28,384 --> 00:24:30,224
spot any minute now.
410
00:24:30,219 --> 00:24:32,099
MARIANA: Okay. So he's
coming right to our car?
411
00:24:32,096 --> 00:24:34,056
MIGUEL (over phone): Yes.
412
00:24:43,649 --> 00:24:46,319
MARIANA: The trafficker
tells me to call him Ricardo.
413
00:24:46,318 --> 00:24:48,528
He's an American
citizen from East LA.
414
00:24:52,074 --> 00:24:53,374
MARIANA: Crystal meth.
415
00:25:01,166 --> 00:25:02,836
MARIANA: That's
crystal meth? Ice?
416
00:25:02,835 --> 00:25:05,915
The drugs are wrapped
with duct tape and plastic.
417
00:25:06,338 --> 00:25:08,468
They're called huevos or eggs,
418
00:25:08,465 --> 00:25:11,255
and each one is packed
tightly with crystal meth.
419
00:25:16,140 --> 00:25:17,680
MARIANA: Two pounds.
420
00:25:17,683 --> 00:25:21,103
Turns out there are 12 huevos
hidden throughout the bike.
421
00:25:21,103 --> 00:25:27,073
Totaling 24 pounds of meth,
a street value of $36,000
in Los Angeles.
422
00:25:46,128 --> 00:25:48,508
MARIANA: Ricardo is one of
thousands in a decentralized
423
00:25:48,505 --> 00:25:52,175
network of freelance smugglers
utilized by the cartel.
424
00:25:52,926 --> 00:25:57,466
It's an army of ants who avoid
seizures by funneling smaller
425
00:25:57,473 --> 00:26:00,983
packages of meth in
cars and motorcycles,
426
00:26:00,976 --> 00:26:04,896
maximizing efficiency and
minimizing risk with drivers
427
00:26:04,897 --> 00:26:08,477
who have less direct ties
to the cartels themselves.
428
00:26:14,239 --> 00:26:16,239
MARIANA: Just like that, we
are interrupted by Ricardo's
429
00:26:16,241 --> 00:26:19,501
boss who needs him to
proceed with his route.
430
00:26:19,495 --> 00:26:20,615
His boss is calling.
431
00:26:22,956 --> 00:26:25,206
MARIANA: Okay.
He really has to go.
432
00:26:28,462 --> 00:26:30,802
MARIANA: This meth pipeline
is part of a drug trafficking
433
00:26:30,798 --> 00:26:35,388
empire that brings in an
estimated $30 billion in
434
00:26:35,385 --> 00:26:37,045
revenue a year.
435
00:26:37,054 --> 00:26:41,184
That's more than
Fortune 500 companies
like Visa or Starbucks.
436
00:26:41,850 --> 00:26:45,480
And like any good business,
the cartels are never satisfied.
437
00:26:46,647 --> 00:26:49,357
That's how I find myself
parked on an LA street
438
00:26:49,358 --> 00:26:52,608
awaiting a sketchy meet‐up
with a cartel operative
439
00:26:52,611 --> 00:26:54,991
working on a new initiative.
440
00:26:55,405 --> 00:26:56,565
Hey guys, can you hear me?
441
00:26:56,573 --> 00:26:57,953
ROGER (over radio):Loud and clear.
442
00:26:57,950 --> 00:26:59,450
MARIANA: Are these the
people we've met before?
443
00:27:05,207 --> 00:27:06,957
MARIANA: Do you
trust these people?
444
00:27:21,515 --> 00:27:25,185
MARIANA: Oh. That's,
they actually said that?
445
00:27:32,818 --> 00:27:35,778
MARIANA: Okay. So no,
absolutely no filming on
the way to the location,
446
00:27:35,779 --> 00:27:37,359
wherever that location is.
447
00:27:39,908 --> 00:27:42,368
MARIANA: Okay.
You guys heard that?
448
00:27:48,542 --> 00:27:50,752
Okay. I think this is it.
449
00:27:50,752 --> 00:27:53,592
So we're parking
about two blocks from
the actual location.
450
00:27:53,922 --> 00:27:56,052
And they've asked
us to park away.
451
00:27:56,049 --> 00:27:58,889
And also, they told us to
bring all the gas masks
452
00:27:58,886 --> 00:28:00,886
because apparently
it's super toxic.
453
00:28:01,638 --> 00:28:04,058
Okay?
Let's do this.
454
00:28:12,065 --> 00:28:13,645
MARIANA: Raking in
billions a year,
455
00:28:13,650 --> 00:28:16,700
the cartels have seen their
meth profits soar thanks to
456
00:28:16,695 --> 00:28:20,115
their endless pursuit of
cheaper and quicker ways to
457
00:28:20,115 --> 00:28:22,025
reach American users.
458
00:28:23,076 --> 00:28:27,496
I walk a few blocks to meet a
new cartel contact who calls
himself Pablo.
459
00:28:27,497 --> 00:28:28,457
Hey.
460
00:28:28,457 --> 00:28:29,877
PABLO: Hello.
461
00:28:29,875 --> 00:28:31,745
MARIANA: And I honestly
have no idea what to expect.
462
00:28:31,752 --> 00:28:33,802
PABLO: Please
put your mask on.
463
00:28:34,463 --> 00:28:36,553
I did already and the smell of
chemical is really bad and
464
00:28:36,548 --> 00:28:38,128
it's really strong.
465
00:28:38,133 --> 00:28:39,933
All the chemicals that we're
using are very, very dangerous.
466
00:28:39,927 --> 00:28:40,927
You gotta be
careful what you touch?
467
00:28:44,139 --> 00:28:45,639
PABLO: Yes, I was cooking.
468
00:28:45,641 --> 00:28:47,101
I have something here, but I
don't wanna touch it 'cause
469
00:28:47,100 --> 00:28:48,310
it's still cooking.
470
00:28:48,310 --> 00:28:49,730
This is what you call a
"Shake and Bake."
471
00:28:49,728 --> 00:28:52,478
'Cause in case, "Police
is coming," shake it.
472
00:28:52,481 --> 00:28:53,651
We gone, do another one.
473
00:29:08,872 --> 00:29:10,712
PABLO: I go directly to
my boss in Sinaloa cartel.
474
00:29:12,292 --> 00:29:13,792
PABLO: He gives me the orders.
475
00:29:13,794 --> 00:29:15,344
That's why you guys got the okay
and the access to come here.
476
00:29:15,837 --> 00:29:17,207
MARIANA: That's right.
477
00:29:17,214 --> 00:29:19,554
According to Pablo, the
same Shake and Bake labs,
478
00:29:19,549 --> 00:29:23,299
that once dotted the
American landscape
are making a comeback.
479
00:29:23,887 --> 00:29:27,887
But this time they are funded
and run by Mexican cartels.
480
00:29:34,606 --> 00:29:36,606
PABLO: We got the gas,
we got the battery acid.
481
00:29:38,443 --> 00:29:41,953
PABLO: We have the
liquid Sudafed because
we crush up the pills
482
00:29:41,947 --> 00:29:44,237
MARIANA: Pablo tells me that
while getting Sudafed is hard,
483
00:29:44,241 --> 00:29:47,041
the cartel has channels
to source ingredients from
484
00:29:47,035 --> 00:29:48,745
pharmaceutical companies.
485
00:29:52,207 --> 00:29:54,127
PABLO: Let's say that
they were doing 60 pills.
486
00:29:54,126 --> 00:29:55,666
MARIANA: Uh‐hmm.
487
00:29:55,669 --> 00:29:57,249
PABLO: So I'm using 500 pills,
the more pills we crush up,
488
00:29:57,254 --> 00:29:58,674
the more stronger it is.
489
00:30:02,175 --> 00:30:03,045
PABLO: Yes, they are.
490
00:30:07,014 --> 00:30:08,524
PABLO: Exactly.
491
00:30:08,515 --> 00:30:10,265
MARIANA: Pablo explains that
the cartel is experimenting
492
00:30:10,267 --> 00:30:14,937
with this direct to
consumer model which
lowers production costs,
493
00:30:14,938 --> 00:30:17,978
eliminates the risk
and cost of transport,
494
00:30:17,983 --> 00:30:20,113
and cuts out
mules and middlemen.
495
00:30:23,613 --> 00:30:24,703
PABLO: We're in the
middle of the city
496
00:30:26,742 --> 00:30:29,202
PABLO: We have five
that are getting built
right now as we speak.
497
00:30:30,328 --> 00:30:32,248
PABLO: And around
the corner, they
already have at least eight.
498
00:30:33,832 --> 00:30:35,172
PABLO: Yes.
499
00:30:35,500 --> 00:30:37,340
MARIANA: Profits
are already soaring.
500
00:30:37,335 --> 00:30:39,955
Just from the network of
labs run by Pablo in LA,
501
00:30:39,963 --> 00:30:43,933
he tells me he's making $12
million every year for his
502
00:30:43,925 --> 00:30:46,005
bosses in Sinaloa.
503
00:30:46,428 --> 00:30:47,758
PABLO: We call it
Zombieland now,
504
00:30:47,763 --> 00:30:49,313
because everybody's
zombied the (bleep) out now,
505
00:30:49,306 --> 00:30:50,716
they're using crystal meth.
506
00:30:54,436 --> 00:30:57,856
PABLO: Yes, it does bother me,
but like I gotta live one way
or another.
507
00:30:58,148 --> 00:31:00,978
I grew up in this
(bleep) I come from Sinaloa,
508
00:31:00,984 --> 00:31:04,154
this is all I know and,
you know, this is hard.
509
00:31:05,697 --> 00:31:08,407
MARIANA: As the cartels'
producers in Mexico and within
510
00:31:08,408 --> 00:31:12,198
the US pump out more
and purer crystal meth,
511
00:31:12,204 --> 00:31:15,334
their strategy to hook
more users is working.
512
00:31:15,624 --> 00:31:19,714
REPORTER (over TV): 328 peopledied by overdosing on drugs herin Arizona last year.
513
00:31:19,711 --> 00:31:22,171
REPORTER (over TV):Methamphetamine is backon the rise in Ohio.
514
00:31:22,172 --> 00:31:24,092
REPORTER (over TV):More people are now dyingfrom meth overdoses
515
00:31:24,091 --> 00:31:25,801
than heroin across Colorado.
516
00:31:25,801 --> 00:31:27,841
REPORTER (over TV): Right hereon the streets of San Francisco
517
00:31:27,844 --> 00:31:29,764
REPORTER (over TV): Omaha iscaught in the crosshairs.
518
00:31:29,763 --> 00:31:31,313
REPORTER (over TV): Onthe rise in San Diego.
519
00:31:31,306 --> 00:31:33,476
REPORTER (over TV): That meansmore customers for the cartels.
520
00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:39,730
MARIANA: The US is now
home to an estimated one
million meth addicts.
521
00:31:39,731 --> 00:31:42,901
An epidemic that's killing
thousands of people a year.
522
00:31:43,735 --> 00:31:46,355
I wonder how Mike, the
dealer I met in Austin,
523
00:31:46,363 --> 00:31:49,663
feels about his role in
such a deadly epidemic.
524
00:31:49,658 --> 00:31:51,538
So I reach back out.
525
00:31:51,535 --> 00:31:54,865
And I ask if he's still planning
to come to LA for business.
526
00:31:56,248 --> 00:32:01,418
MIKE: So as if my life
couldn't get any more crazier,
527
00:32:02,671 --> 00:32:06,801
it was just a
(bleep) show today.
528
00:32:07,342 --> 00:32:10,302
MARIANA: His reply is the
first in a series of nearly
529
00:32:10,303 --> 00:32:12,513
incoherent video texts.
530
00:32:12,514 --> 00:32:14,434
MIKE: There's someone
always watching you.
531
00:32:14,432 --> 00:32:16,692
At every time, every
minute, every day,
532
00:32:16,685 --> 00:32:18,225
every hour, every hour,
every week, every week,
533
00:32:18,228 --> 00:32:19,558
every month, every month,
534
00:32:19,563 --> 00:32:21,063
every year, every year
for the rest of your life.
535
00:32:21,064 --> 00:32:23,404
MARIANA: I ask where he is,
but it's not totally clear
536
00:32:23,400 --> 00:32:25,400
from his next text.
537
00:32:25,402 --> 00:32:27,242
MIKE: Here I am
still with no ID,
538
00:32:27,237 --> 00:32:30,697
wondering how am I gonna
make (bleep) happen in.
539
00:32:30,699 --> 00:32:34,289
MARIANA: Mike tells me
he's on his way to meet
me but then I get this.
540
00:32:34,286 --> 00:32:36,866
MIKE: I'm literally, literally,
literally on my last dime.
541
00:32:36,872 --> 00:32:40,792
So now, what to do?
542
00:32:41,251 --> 00:32:43,131
MARIANA: It's like I'm
watching him unravel.
543
00:32:51,469 --> 00:32:55,559
MARIANA: Finally, he tells me
he's in San Diego and then
544
00:32:55,557 --> 00:32:58,097
the line suddenly goes dark.
545
00:32:59,186 --> 00:33:02,356
What I thought was
simply the last link in
the meth supply chain,
546
00:33:02,355 --> 00:33:05,065
a street‐level dealer,
is actually a window into
547
00:33:05,066 --> 00:33:07,986
the raging epidemic itself.
548
00:33:07,986 --> 00:33:10,986
Mike's disappearance is evidence
of the very dark places
549
00:33:10,989 --> 00:33:13,029
where meth
addiction leads,
550
00:33:13,033 --> 00:33:16,913
reminding me of something
one of his clients told
me back in Austin.
551
00:33:17,454 --> 00:33:19,924
WOMAN: I've been really
lucky in a lot of ways,
552
00:33:19,915 --> 00:33:26,335
I've never been arrested,
I've never stolen anything
from anybody,
553
00:33:26,630 --> 00:33:28,170
I haven't
had to sell my body.
554
00:33:28,173 --> 00:33:30,133
I've, all these things that
I've seen a lot of really
555
00:33:30,133 --> 00:33:33,643
smart and really good people
do just because that's what
556
00:33:33,637 --> 00:33:35,807
this drug pushes you to do.
557
00:33:35,805 --> 00:33:37,345
It is not easy.
558
00:33:37,349 --> 00:33:40,519
And mom guilt is very real.
559
00:33:40,518 --> 00:33:43,268
And pressure is
very real there.
560
00:33:43,271 --> 00:33:46,571
I mean, that's just what also
comes with meth, right?
561
00:33:46,566 --> 00:33:48,856
Guilt and shame and pressure.
562
00:33:48,860 --> 00:33:51,280
Uh‐hmm.
563
00:33:57,035 --> 00:34:00,785
MARIANA: Three days later,
I get a message that Mike
has made it to LA.
564
00:34:00,789 --> 00:34:03,539
He wants to meet at his motel.
565
00:34:03,541 --> 00:34:06,671
I have a hunch things
are about to get messy.
566
00:34:07,212 --> 00:34:08,462
MIKE: Can we cut real quick?
567
00:34:08,463 --> 00:34:10,593
I'm just starting to,
like, hyperventilate.
568
00:34:10,590 --> 00:34:12,930
Hmm.
569
00:34:18,515 --> 00:34:22,135
♪ ♪
570
00:34:22,143 --> 00:34:23,603
MARIANA: Okay. So Mike,
what are we doing here?
571
00:34:23,603 --> 00:34:25,483
MIKE: We are actually
fulfilling orders that were
572
00:34:25,480 --> 00:34:27,980
sent to me
through my clientele.
573
00:34:27,983 --> 00:34:30,323
MARIANA: After several
days of radio silence,
574
00:34:30,318 --> 00:34:34,238
Mike resurfaces in
Los Angeles and invites
me to his motel room.
575
00:34:40,745 --> 00:34:42,535
MARIANA: He seems
scattered from the start.
576
00:34:44,165 --> 00:34:45,665
MIKE: Yeah. I am.
577
00:34:45,667 --> 00:34:47,877
I get really all (bleep) nerve
and so I need something to
578
00:34:47,877 --> 00:34:49,247
kinda calm me down.
579
00:34:49,254 --> 00:34:51,634
It's like I gotta be high
on something every day.
580
00:34:51,881 --> 00:34:53,301
MARIANA: After
taking the edge off,
581
00:34:53,300 --> 00:34:55,680
Mike agrees to show me how
he ships the meth he buys
582
00:34:55,677 --> 00:34:59,257
wholesale in Calexico to
clients across the country.
583
00:35:01,391 --> 00:35:03,391
You're gonna put the
drugs inside lunchboxes?
584
00:35:03,393 --> 00:35:04,523
MIKE: Yes.
585
00:35:04,519 --> 00:35:06,099
So in the case at
which they get X‐rayed,
586
00:35:06,104 --> 00:35:08,024
it's gonna be harder
to see what's inside.
587
00:35:08,023 --> 00:35:12,403
And because of this, it
sounds like a puzzle.
588
00:35:12,819 --> 00:35:16,529
MARIANA: It seems the sheer
availability of pure Mexican
589
00:35:16,531 --> 00:35:19,951
meth has been a huge part
of the drug's resurgence.
590
00:35:20,535 --> 00:35:23,325
It's a cheap high and for
a country with a massive
591
00:35:23,330 --> 00:35:26,420
addiction problem, that's
irresistible in spite of
592
00:35:26,416 --> 00:35:29,126
meth's ugly reputation.
593
00:35:29,127 --> 00:35:31,877
MIKE: It's more of a taboo
because of the stigma behind it.
594
00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:33,550
MARIANA: So why did you
let us come with you?
595
00:35:33,548 --> 00:35:36,178
MIKE: Just because it's
not what people think it is.
596
00:35:36,176 --> 00:35:38,346
Some of the greatest
people that I know use it.
597
00:35:38,345 --> 00:35:40,175
Some of the most smartest
people that I know use it.
598
00:35:40,180 --> 00:35:41,770
If you look at the
community as a whole,
599
00:35:41,765 --> 00:35:44,475
there's a lot of people
that use it in different ways.
600
00:35:48,188 --> 00:35:49,188
Can we cut real quick?
601
00:35:49,189 --> 00:35:50,569
MARIANA: Yeah.
602
00:35:50,565 --> 00:35:52,645
MIKE: I'm just starting
to, like, hyperventilate.
603
00:35:52,651 --> 00:35:54,191
MARIANA: Do you want water?
604
00:35:54,194 --> 00:35:57,324
It's a profitable business,
but not an easy one for a
605
00:35:57,322 --> 00:36:00,992
hardcore user like Mike and
the more time I spend with him,
606
00:36:00,992 --> 00:36:04,412
the more I witness the messy
reality of his addiction.
607
00:36:04,871 --> 00:36:07,331
MIKE: Yeah, I'm a
hot mess and it's,
608
00:36:07,332 --> 00:36:10,502
yeah, it's not getting easier.
609
00:36:10,502 --> 00:36:13,712
And I think it's just from
the long‐term uses of it.
610
00:36:13,713 --> 00:36:15,343
(phone vibrating).
611
00:36:15,340 --> 00:36:16,720
MARIANA: You're getting
a call from your mom.
612
00:36:16,716 --> 00:36:18,426
MIKE: It's okay.
613
00:36:18,426 --> 00:36:19,886
MARIANA: You're not answering?
614
00:36:19,886 --> 00:36:20,926
MIKE: She wants answers to
things that I don't have the
615
00:36:20,929 --> 00:36:22,099
answers to right now, so.
616
00:36:22,097 --> 00:36:23,517
MARIANA: Does she
know where you are?
617
00:36:23,515 --> 00:36:24,595
MIKE: Yeah.
618
00:36:24,599 --> 00:36:25,679
MARIANA: Does she
what you're doing?
619
00:36:25,684 --> 00:36:27,194
MIKE: Yeah.
620
00:36:27,185 --> 00:36:28,765
She doesn't like it and neither
does the rest of my family.
621
00:36:28,770 --> 00:36:31,440
You know, they're worried
about me because it's not
622
00:36:31,439 --> 00:36:35,609
about the drug usage,
but it's more about if
anything happens to me.
623
00:36:35,610 --> 00:36:37,740
MARIANA: How scared are
you of going to prison?
624
00:36:37,737 --> 00:36:40,027
MIKE: It's on my
mind every day.
625
00:36:40,031 --> 00:36:41,491
Considering how I
have three felonies,
626
00:36:41,491 --> 00:36:43,831
if anything happens
to these packages,
627
00:36:43,827 --> 00:36:46,657
it's bye‐bye, Birdie.
628
00:36:46,663 --> 00:36:50,083
MARIANA: I ask Mike about his
first experience with meth.
629
00:36:50,083 --> 00:36:53,133
He points to a lunchbox
that's headed to Key West.
630
00:36:53,712 --> 00:36:56,342
MIKE: He's the one that
got me involved in all
of this to begin with.
631
00:36:56,339 --> 00:36:57,839
He's my ex‐boyfriend.
632
00:36:57,841 --> 00:37:00,681
He's the one that tried to
keep me away from it and I
633
00:37:00,677 --> 00:37:02,847
just came running towards it.
634
00:37:02,846 --> 00:37:04,556
He warned me, he really did.
635
00:37:04,556 --> 00:37:06,266
MARIANA: Does he
use it as well?
636
00:37:06,266 --> 00:37:07,976
MIKE: Yeah, he does.
637
00:37:07,976 --> 00:37:09,516
MARIANA: Is he
addicted to meth as well?
638
00:37:09,519 --> 00:37:12,189
MIKE: Well, I would assume so.
639
00:37:13,481 --> 00:37:15,691
MARIANA: Mike tells me
that like a lot of users,
640
00:37:15,692 --> 00:37:19,992
his experience with meth
is tied to a hard‐partying
social scene.
641
00:37:19,988 --> 00:37:24,528
In fact, that's why he
loves coming to Los Angeles.
642
00:37:26,369 --> 00:37:28,539
That night, Mike
heads to West Hollywood,
643
00:37:28,538 --> 00:37:31,498
the epicenter of gay life
in Los Angeles and fertile
644
00:37:31,499 --> 00:37:33,749
grounds for new clients.
645
00:37:33,752 --> 00:37:35,882
How do you sell?
646
00:37:35,879 --> 00:37:37,459
Do you go out and
look for clients?
647
00:37:37,464 --> 00:37:39,514
MIKE: One of the biggest ways
I've made my money was through
648
00:37:39,507 --> 00:37:41,467
social media, in
the gay community,
649
00:37:41,468 --> 00:37:45,308
it's been like Grindr, Scruff,
Adam4Adam, BBRT.
650
00:37:45,305 --> 00:37:49,475
These are all avenues for men to
meet other men in and hook up.
651
00:37:49,476 --> 00:37:52,396
And that's where I come in.
652
00:37:53,605 --> 00:37:56,225
MARIANA: Mike can go to any
city in the country and within
653
00:37:56,232 --> 00:37:58,492
minutes find customers.
654
00:37:58,485 --> 00:38:01,105
For gay men looking to
hook up and get high,
655
00:38:01,112 --> 00:38:04,202
these apps give
dealers like Mike an edge.
656
00:38:04,199 --> 00:38:07,079
And it's in these gay
communities where Mike's
657
00:38:07,076 --> 00:38:10,036
personal and business
interests converge.
658
00:38:13,708 --> 00:38:14,828
Lot of people though.
659
00:38:14,834 --> 00:38:16,044
Wow.
660
00:38:16,044 --> 00:38:17,754
MIKE: Yeah, this is all
within a mile radius.
661
00:38:17,754 --> 00:38:19,214
MARIANA: Are you
getting requests right now?
662
00:38:19,214 --> 00:38:21,134
MIKE: Yeah. I got people at
the hotel waiting for me.
663
00:38:21,132 --> 00:38:22,722
MARIANA: Waiting for
you to sell them meth?
664
00:38:22,717 --> 00:38:24,047
For you to have sex?
665
00:38:24,052 --> 00:38:25,852
MIKE: No, no, no.
Maybe both, who knows.
666
00:38:25,845 --> 00:38:27,345
That's all I do all day.
667
00:38:27,347 --> 00:38:30,177
I try to have fun on the side
and then get back to work.
668
00:38:30,642 --> 00:38:32,522
Now, there's a
secret language online.
669
00:38:32,519 --> 00:38:35,309
There's a chance that this guy
could smoke because of the T.
670
00:38:35,313 --> 00:38:36,443
It's capital
671
00:38:36,439 --> 00:38:38,019
MARIANA: And so T
stands for Tina?
672
00:38:38,024 --> 00:38:40,194
MIKE: So, yes, but
there's a lot of things
that stand for Tina.
673
00:38:40,193 --> 00:38:43,663
Anything like a
teacup or time for tea,
674
00:38:43,655 --> 00:38:45,315
which would be a clock,
a little teacup,
675
00:38:45,323 --> 00:38:47,033
and then you also do diamonds.
676
00:38:47,033 --> 00:38:49,663
And there's party and play.
677
00:38:49,661 --> 00:38:50,951
MARIANA: Which means what?
678
00:38:50,954 --> 00:38:53,214
MIKE: They want to
smoke meth and have sex.
679
00:38:54,749 --> 00:38:59,879
MARIANA: Mike tells me sex
on meth is almost better
than the drug itself.
680
00:39:00,713 --> 00:39:03,723
MIKE: For a lot of people, it
makes them ferociously horny
681
00:39:03,716 --> 00:39:06,886
and then it becomes that sex
is always gonna be associated
682
00:39:06,886 --> 00:39:09,466
with a certain substance.
683
00:39:09,472 --> 00:39:14,102
80% of all my clientele
are either before they're
PnP, or during.
684
00:39:14,602 --> 00:39:15,852
When I was on here
the other night,
685
00:39:15,854 --> 00:39:18,824
every freaking guy
that hit me up are like,
686
00:39:18,815 --> 00:39:20,645
"Are you partying? Partying?
Partying? Partying?"
687
00:39:20,650 --> 00:39:23,650
I can't even leave a city
block without being bombarded
688
00:39:23,653 --> 00:39:27,373
by either requests or
people that want PnP.
689
00:39:27,365 --> 00:39:29,695
MARIANA: I've never seen a
drug epidemic through the
690
00:39:29,701 --> 00:39:31,621
lens of a dating app.
691
00:39:31,619 --> 00:39:34,959
But there it is, the new
faces of meth courtesy of a
692
00:39:34,956 --> 00:39:40,246
seemingly endless
stream of online profiles
looking to party.
693
00:39:41,838 --> 00:39:44,338
Why do you think meth
is so prevalent in
the gay community?
694
00:39:44,340 --> 00:39:46,090
MIKE: It's larger in the
gay community, yes it is,
695
00:39:46,092 --> 00:39:48,432
but it doesn't symbol the
gay community as a whole.
696
00:39:48,428 --> 00:39:50,638
It's one niche in
the gay community,
697
00:39:50,638 --> 00:39:54,928
and if you want to see it,
log on from 2:00 to 6:00
in the morning.
698
00:39:54,934 --> 00:39:56,394
MARIANA: Right.
699
00:39:57,145 --> 00:39:59,765
MIKE: Uh, would you excuse me.
700
00:39:59,772 --> 00:40:03,032
My cognitivity is
starting to go out the window.
701
00:40:03,026 --> 00:40:06,446
I'll start with one subject
and I'll nod out real quick
702
00:40:06,446 --> 00:40:09,156
and start a whole
completely different one.
703
00:40:09,157 --> 00:40:11,907
It's because my brain is
starting to just spark.
704
00:40:11,910 --> 00:40:15,620
It's getting tired and
it's gonna shut down.
705
00:40:15,872 --> 00:40:17,252
(phone vibrating).
706
00:40:17,248 --> 00:40:19,668
MARIANA: It's your mom again.
707
00:40:19,667 --> 00:40:20,917
You have to call
her at some point.
708
00:40:20,919 --> 00:40:21,919
MIKE: Yeah.
709
00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:23,670
Hola guapas.
710
00:40:23,671 --> 00:40:25,341
I'm still working right now.
711
00:40:25,340 --> 00:40:26,630
MOTHER (over phone): Didyou find out anything?
712
00:40:26,633 --> 00:40:28,343
MIKE: I'll be home tomorrow.
713
00:40:28,343 --> 00:40:30,013
MOTHER (over phone): You don'teven have your plane ticket.
714
00:40:30,011 --> 00:40:31,351
How can you tell me that?
715
00:40:31,346 --> 00:40:32,386
MIKE: Um, I don't know.
716
00:40:32,388 --> 00:40:34,638
Um...
717
00:40:34,641 --> 00:40:35,601
MOTHER (over phone): I don'twant you to tell me somethingthat's not gonna happen.
718
00:40:35,600 --> 00:40:37,020
MIKE: Okay.
719
00:40:37,018 --> 00:40:38,268
I love you, I gotta go mom,
I'm on, I'm, I gotta go.
720
00:40:38,269 --> 00:40:40,229
MOTHER (over phone):You need to tell me.
721
00:40:40,229 --> 00:40:41,519
MIKE: I don't know, Mom.
722
00:40:41,522 --> 00:40:43,572
Please.
723
00:40:43,566 --> 00:40:44,686
MOTHER (over phone): You alwayssay, "Mom, please," but younever get back with me.
724
00:40:44,692 --> 00:40:46,862
MIKE: Mom, please?
I will talk to you.
725
00:40:46,861 --> 00:40:48,111
MOTHER (over phone): When?
726
00:40:48,112 --> 00:40:50,072
MIKE: Mom, I need to
get off the phone.
727
00:40:50,073 --> 00:40:52,083
MOTHER (over phone): Okay.Love you. Bye.
728
00:40:52,075 --> 00:40:53,985
MARIANA: Aw.
729
00:40:53,993 --> 00:40:56,293
She's so worried about you.
730
00:40:56,287 --> 00:40:59,327
MIKE: Yeah. I'm tired.
731
00:40:59,332 --> 00:41:03,132
I am completely and
utterly exhausted.
732
00:41:03,127 --> 00:41:04,877
I am leaving this car now.
733
00:41:04,879 --> 00:41:06,969
MARIANA: Stay safe.
Call your mom back.
734
00:41:06,965 --> 00:41:09,675
Bye, Mike.
735
00:41:14,389 --> 00:41:16,389
It's sad.
736
00:41:16,391 --> 00:41:18,731
It's sad especially to see
his mom calling him, you know
so worried about him
737
00:41:18,726 --> 00:41:20,596
and wondering when he's
gonna go back home.
738
00:41:20,603 --> 00:41:23,693
And she knows full well
what he's doing here too.
739
00:41:23,690 --> 00:41:25,690
So as a mother
myself, that really,
740
00:41:25,692 --> 00:41:28,152
that moment really got to me.
741
00:41:29,362 --> 00:41:31,112
He says he wants to quit.
742
00:41:31,114 --> 00:41:33,664
He says that in a few
months, that's his plan.
743
00:41:33,658 --> 00:41:37,158
But as he knows
full well himself,
744
00:41:37,161 --> 00:41:39,541
it's a really
hard drug to quit.
745
00:41:39,539 --> 00:41:42,499
He's tried it a few times and
he hasn't been successful at it,
746
00:41:42,500 --> 00:41:45,380
but we'll see
what happens this time.
747
00:41:50,174 --> 00:41:54,144
The current meth epidemic is
many things to many people.
748
00:41:54,137 --> 00:41:56,387
For a handful of
cartel bosses,
749
00:41:56,389 --> 00:41:57,969
it's a windfall.
750
00:41:57,974 --> 00:42:00,734
For thousands of people who
depend on the meth pipeline to
751
00:42:00,727 --> 00:42:03,517
make their living,
it's a paycheck.
752
00:42:03,521 --> 00:42:08,321
And for millions of addicts and
their families, it's a curse.
753
00:42:17,952 --> 00:42:19,662
MOTHER: What are
you gonna be cooking?
754
00:42:19,662 --> 00:42:21,622
MIKE: Macaroni.
755
00:42:21,622 --> 00:42:23,422
MARIANA: A few weeks
later back in Austin,
756
00:42:23,416 --> 00:42:25,326
Mike is cooking
dinner with his mom.
757
00:42:25,918 --> 00:42:28,128
MOTHER: Where are
your potholders?
758
00:42:28,129 --> 00:42:31,169
Oh, there's your colander too.
759
00:42:31,174 --> 00:42:32,264
We're gonna need it.
760
00:42:32,258 --> 00:42:34,048
MARIANA: But she's
worried about him.
761
00:42:34,052 --> 00:42:36,802
And the conversation
quickly turns serious.
762
00:42:36,804 --> 00:42:38,514
MOTHER: Do you believe you
have a serious addiction?
763
00:42:38,514 --> 00:42:40,064
MIKE: Who doesn't
have an addiction?
764
00:42:40,058 --> 00:42:42,518
Who doesn't have an
addiction to something?
765
00:42:42,518 --> 00:42:49,188
Mine just seems to be
with crystal meth and...
766
00:42:49,192 --> 00:42:50,782
a lot of other things.
767
00:42:50,777 --> 00:42:51,937
MOTHER: The money?
768
00:42:51,944 --> 00:42:54,864
MIKE: The money,
the interaction.
769
00:42:57,408 --> 00:42:59,288
MOTHER: You know, have you
ever thought to yourself,
770
00:42:59,285 --> 00:43:02,575
"Am I hurting
people out there"?
771
00:43:02,580 --> 00:43:05,120
MIKE: I don't have a
gun to their head.
772
00:43:05,124 --> 00:43:09,214
I'm not selling to anyone
that hasn't previously used.
773
00:43:19,514 --> 00:43:22,684
MARIANA: In my experience,
dealers and users always find
774
00:43:22,683 --> 00:43:25,273
a way to justify
what they are doing.
775
00:43:25,269 --> 00:43:29,319
And all too often, it's
mom who pays the price.
776
00:43:30,108 --> 00:43:33,648
MOTHER: I still have hope,
one day you're gonna put
this behind you.
777
00:43:34,278 --> 00:43:36,238
I have hope.
778
00:43:36,239 --> 00:43:38,319
MIKE: I am, Mom, I can't tell
you the future because it's
not written yet.
779
00:43:38,324 --> 00:43:39,784
MOTHER: No, exactly.
No, no.
780
00:43:39,784 --> 00:43:41,914
I'm not asking you to
tell me your future.
781
00:43:41,911 --> 00:43:43,831
MIKE: I don't know.
782
00:43:43,830 --> 00:43:47,250
My goal is just to
live longer than you.
783
00:43:54,215 --> 00:43:55,465
MOTHER: Are you
waiting on someone?
784
00:43:55,466 --> 00:43:56,626
MIKE: Yeah.
785
00:43:56,634 --> 00:43:58,264
I'm just gonna step
out for a second.
786
00:43:58,261 --> 00:44:00,641
I have to meet
my buddy outside.
787
00:44:05,017 --> 00:44:06,727
Captioned by
Cotter Media Group.
61497
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.