The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Johnny sits down with “El Diablo,” an active high-ranking member of the Sinaloa cartel, for a rare and intense conversation about the realities of the modern drug trade. El Diablo talks about how he got started at just 14 years old, how cartel loyalty works, the logistics of moving cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and into the United States, and why he believes staying low-key kept him out of prison for over 30 years. He also breaks down how distribution networks operate across the U.S., how money is moved and laundered, the role of trucking and logistics, internal cartel politics, and why major arrests and killings rarely stop the flow of drugs. Toward the end, he opens up about the personal cost of the lifestyle, the violence, betrayal, and fear that come with it, and why he says he’s finally ready to walk away. This is one of the most raw and eye-opening interviews yet on The Connect. Topics covered: -cartel life -cocaine trafficking -Sinaloa cartel, border smuggling -cartel loyalty -money laundering -trucking routes -drug distribution -organized crime -leaving the game This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Ava! Take control of your credit today. Download the Ava app, and when you join using MY promo code CONNECT20, you’ll get 20% off your first year—monthly or annual, your choice. Nic Nac! Get Nic Nacs at https://nicnac.com/johnny and use code Johnny for 20% off, or use the store locator to find Nic Nacs near you. If you use nicotine, Nic Nac is the discreet way to do it. Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/CONNECT Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Introduction: Keys to Cartel Life 01:36 Meet El Diablo: Cartel Insider 05:17 El Diablo's Early Days & Entry 13:27 The Art of Moving Up & Staying Out 16:59 This Episode Is Sponsored By Ava! 18:28 Building U.S. Networks & Customer Bases 31:59 This Episode Is Sponsored By Nic Nac! 33:07 Cartel Logistics: From Colombia to U.S. 40:19 Cartel Money Flows & Laundering 46:09 The Importance of Laying Low 47:00 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims! 48:51 Map of Cartel Influence in the U.S. 51:36 Cartel Loyalty & the Rise of Snitching 59:40 Fentanyl, Meth & Shifting Drug Markets 01:04:59 Profits, Losses & Realities of the Game 01:05:59 Retirement: Leaving the Cartel Safely 01:10:00 Reflections: Warnings & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former drug kingpin George Day was sentenced to one of the harshest punishments imaginable: life in federal prison plus 90 years. What followed was nearly two decades inside some of the toughest federal prisons in America — fighting appeals, navigating prison politics, and trying to survive a sentence that was supposed to mean he would die behind bars. In this episode, George tells the unbelievable story of his time inside the federal system after being convicted in a controversial case built largely on witness testimony rather than physical evidence. Despite multiple trials and legal battles, he was ultimately convicted and given a life sentence plus additional decades, sending him deep into the federal prison system. Behind bars, George faced the brutal reality of a life sentence — violent prison yards, powerful inmates, and the mental weight of knowing he might never see freedom again. At one point he describes himself as a “dead man walking,” preparing for the possibility that prison would be where his life ended. But George refused to give up. While incarcerated, he continued fighting his case, studying the law, filing appeals, and working through the courts for years. Against overwhelming odds, his persistence eventually paid off. After nearly two decades in prison, his case was revisited and he ultimately received clemency in 2021 under the First Step Act, allowing him to finally walk free. In this interview, George shares: • What it’s like to receive life plus 90 years in federal court • The psychological toll of serving a life sentence • The dangerous reality of federal prison yards • How inmates survive when they know they may never get out • Fighting appeals from behind bars for nearly two decades • The legal battle that eventually led to his release • The moment he learned he was finally going home This is the story of a man who went from facing life behind bars to walking out of prison nearly 20 years later. A raw, firsthand look at the federal prison system, long sentences, and the fight for freedom. If you missed Part 1 you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/3BcefonEOzs Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Opening, Recap & George's Prison Time 03:00 George Day's Drug Empire & DC Operations 08:00 Retirement, Passing on the Connect, and Betrayals 21:00 Under Surveillance: Arrests, Planted Evidence & The Indictment 37:00 Indictment Details, Federal Charges & Courtroom Battles 46:00 Being Tried Multiple Times—Hung Juries and Sentencing 56:00 Adapting to Life in Federal Prison 01:00:00 Prison Hustles: Bringing in Contraband & The Heroin Game 01:13:00 Chaos, Friends & Enemies on the Yard 01:23:00 Legal Battles: Studying Law & Fighting the Case 01:35:00 Cracking the Case: Bank Statements & Exculpatory Evidence 01:48:00 Landmark Motions, Sentence Vacated & Road to Release 02:06:00 Winning Clemency: Resentencing & Final Freedom 02:18:00 Returning to Society, Legacy & Helping Others 02:22:00 George's Lawsuit, Lessons & Shoutouts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnny sits down with Tim Griesheimer to hear one of the wildest crime stories to ever come out of Texas. What started as a teenager running burglaries quickly turned into a seven-year journey through some of the toughest prisons in the state. Along the way, Tim navigated race politics, brutal jail fights, and the chaos of prison life — eventually becoming a shot caller for the 59 Bounty Hunter Bloods despite being a white inmate. In this episode, Tim breaks down how he got caught up in burglaries as a teenager, what really happens inside Texas county jails, and the brutal moment he had to stand up for himself his first night locked up. From small-town crime to prison survival, his story shows how quickly a reckless life can spiral — and the crazy situations that come with it. This is a raw, unfiltered look at prison politics, street crime, and the reality of doing time in Texas. In this episode: -Growing up around crime and getting pulled into burglaries as a teenager -The arrest that led to seven years in the Texas prison system -Breaking into houses to steal guns in rural Texas -Getting betrayed by someone in his own circle -His first night in county jail and the brutal fight that followed -How race politics and gangs operate inside prison -Becoming affiliated with the 59 Bounty Hunter Bloods Go Support Tim! IG: https://www.instagram.com/tattoos_bykriminalkustoms/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following Cash App! Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/1ekoiacn #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Discounts and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. HelloFresh! Go to https://hellofresh.com/connect10fm to Get 10 free meals + a FREE Zwilling Knife (a $144.99 value) on your third box. Offer valid while supplies last. Free meals applied as discount on first box, new subscribers only, varies by plan.  The Wellness Company! Visit https://www.twc.health/connect to get American Made Ivermectin. Order your 6-month supply today and use code CONNECT for $30 Off + FREE shipping. USA Residents only 🇺🇸 Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Wild Introduction & Story Overview03:40 Early Life and Crime in Texas07:28 Growing Up Around Crime & First Arrests16:00 Small Town Crime & The Gun Burglaries21:04 This Episode Is Sponsored By CashApp! 22:26 Getting Caught and Facing Texas Justice32:00 County Jail, Race, and Jail Politics44:00 First Time in Prison: Arrival & Culture Shock49:45 This Episode Is Sponsored By HelloFresh 51:24 Texas Prison Politics and Gangs1:15:44 This Episode Is Sponsored By The Wellness Company 01:17:23 Life in the Prison Units & Gang Recruitment01:32:00 Fighting for Respect & Moving Between Groups01:54:00 Prison Riots & Everyday Violence02:09:50 Prison Hustles: Gambling, Contraband & Hierarchy02:25:00 Violence, Initiation, and Surviving with the Bloods02:40:00 Life in Solitary, Death Row, and Prison Economics02:57:00 Culture, Sexuality, and Survival in the Joint03:08:35 Parole, Release, and Life After Prison03:18:00 Current Life: Tattooing and Redemption03:23:30 Wrapping Up & Where to Find Tim Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Olympic snowboarder to one of the biggest cocaine traffickers in North American history — this is the unbelievable story of Ryan Wedding. In this episode, Johnny breaks down how a privileged Canadian athlete went from chasing gold medals to running a billion-dollar cocaine empire alongside some of the most powerful cartels in the world. You’ll hear how Wedding built a massive trafficking network stretching from Colombia to Mexico, the U.S., and Canada… how his operation moved tens of tons of cocaine every year… and how a series of murders, informants, and arrests finally brought his empire crashing down. The episode also dives into the mystery surrounding his 2026 arrest — including shocking claims about a fake Instagram account, possible cooperation with authorities, and the question everyone is asking: 👉 Did he surrender… or was he secretly captured? This is one of the wildest narco stories of the modern era — a rise fueled by ambition, psychology, and perfect timing in the global drug trade. Topics covered: -Ryan Wedding’s life before crime -His rise in Canada’s drug underworld -Connections to major cartels -Billion-dollar trafficking operations -Murders linked to his organization -The investigation that took him down -Theories about his dramatic arrest This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Cheers Health! Same night out — way better morning with Cheers. For a limited time our listeners are getting 20% off their entire order by using code CONNECT at https://CheersHealth.com #Cheers #ad Mars Men! For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://mengotomars.com Superpower! Head to https://superpower.com and use code CONNECT at checkout for $20 off your membership. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Ryan Wedding: The Biggest Canadian Narco 01:52 From Olympic Dreams to the Drug World 03:39 The Birth of a Drug Empire in Vancouver 05:47 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cheers Health 07:45 Rise and Fall of the Weed King 08:38 Transition Into Cocaine Smuggling 10:26 Arrest, Courtroom Drama & Prison Lessons 12:03 Support Your Testosterone With Mars Men 14:45 Model Prisoner to Drug Kingpin 16:46 Rebuilding the Network in Montreal & Cartel Connections 19:43 Take Your Health Back With Superpower 22:08 On the Run in Mexico 24:01 Wedding's Massive Cocaine Operation 26:41 Unraveling: Murders, Police Crackdowns, Digital Slips 28:58 Arrests, Betrayals & Inside Jobs 31:44 The Fall of the Wedding Organization 33:36 Final Moves & The Fake Instagram Saga 36:35 Speculation, Conspiracies & Theories 38:18 The Man Behind the Empire 40:54 What's Next for Ryan Wedding 42:44 Will Wedding Cooperate or Stand Tall? 43:02 A Story for the Ages – Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christian Carmona grew up in Medellín’s infamous Barrio Antioquia—an area known for prostitution, gambling, and later, cocaine. In this episode, Christian tells the inside story of a Colombian cocaine dynasty that quietly expanded from Medellín to Miami… and even Portland, Oregon. Raised “Americanized” in the suburbs, Christian didn’t learn the truth about his father’s criminal enterprise until federal agents came crashing down in 1991—taking both of his parents at once. From cartel-era Miami strategies (stash houses, mules, low-profile living) to family-wide trafficking ties and the chaos of the early 90s, Christian lays out how the business really worked behind the scenes. The story gets even wilder when Christian later gets pulled back into the orbit of his father’s old associates—working at a bank where traffickers allegedly used safety deposit boxes to stash cash and kilos. A setup, a sting, and years of court delays later, Christian describes spending nearly four years incarcerated while prosecutors tried to force him to cooperate. This is a raw conversation about family, loyalty, survival, and redemption—plus how Christian found faith and wrote his book Zeal while locked up. 📚 Zeal by Christian Carmona is available now (English & Spanish). https://www.zealnovel.com/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Growing up in Medellín’s Barrio Antioquia 04:08 The neighborhood’s history: red-light district → narco hub 09:29 Why Miami was the move (and how mules worked) 16:11 Living “middle class” while running a cocaine operation 20:47 Why Portland, Oregon became a new market 38:08 1991 indictment & parents arrested 51:02 Bank job, safety deposit boxes, and old ties resurfacing 58:22 The setup, DEA sting, and arrest 1:10:49 Four years jailed while prosecutors pushed cooperation 1:34:19 Faith, forgiveness, and writing Zeal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices