In this episode, John breaks down how Mexican cartel growers set up massive hidden weed farms, how they camouflage camps and irrigation systems, why game wardens became involved in marijuana raids, and what happened when his team came face-to-face with armed growers in the woods.
We also discuss the environmental destruction caused by illegal grows, toxic pesticides, cartel tactics, California legalization, the black market, and why this problem is still far from over.
John Nores is a former California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden and author of Hidden War, where he documents his years tracking cartel activity in America’s wildlands.
Topics include:
Cartel weed farms, California forests, game wardens, illegal marijuana grows, Sinaloa cartel, toxic pesticides, water theft, wildlife destruction, armed growers, and the hidden war on public lands.
Go Support John!
Book: https://www.johnnores.com/hidden-war.html
Website: https://www.johnnores.com/
This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:
Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect
Prescription required. See website for details and important safety information. Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra®. Viagra® is a registered trademark of Viatris Specialty LLC. Hims is not affiliated with or endorsed by Viatris.
Lucy! Save 20% on your first online Lucy order at https://lucy.co/connect with promo code CONNECT!
Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!
https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mc4qAxpztC6D20wzeS91C
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU69IWUT8m_qPT01AbelXiA/join
00:00 Intro: California’s Weed War
01:00 Meet John Norris: Game Warden Turned Cartel Hunter
04:00 Why Game Wardens Battle Cartels
09:00 Inside Cartel Grow Tactics
17:00 Water Theft & Ranch Infiltration
24:00 Deadly Encounters: Gunfights in the Hills
26:00 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims
27:58 Cartel Structure & Operations Unveiled
41:00 Cat-and-Mouse: Grow Raids vs Apprehensions
46:16 This Episode Is Sponsored By Lucy
47:52 Cartel Incentives: Who’s Growing & Why
55:00 Hidden Health Dangers: Pesticides & Poisons
01:03:00 Environmental Fallout: Wildlife & Water
01:08:00 Legalization Backfires: Black Market Thrives
01:16:00 Chinese Cartels & the Evolving Threat
01:25:00 Why the Legal Market Can’t Compete
01:36:00 From Gunfights to Game Wardens: War Stories
01:43:00 Cartels, China, and the Fentanyl Pipeline
01:53:00 Northern Border, Drugs, and the Hidden War
02:03:00 Solutions: Law, Education, & Real Change
02:10:00 Impact of Legalization Laws in Other States
02:12:00 Organic Growers vs Cartels: The Forgotten Warriors
02:16:00 Wrap Up: The Fight for America’s Wildlands & Closing Thoughts