How A Mexican Narco Dynasty Built A U.S. Drug Empire

Martin Munoz up in Anaheim, just minutes from Disneyland—but behind the scenes, his family was connected to a completely different world. In this episode, Martin tells the story of growing up around a family involved in high-level drug trafficking between Mexico and Southern California. He describes an uncle who operated at a major level before mysteriously disappearing in Tijuana, a father who went on to become a major meth and cocaine distributor, and how he eventually found himself stepping into the same business. After his father was arrested, he says his dad’s right-hand man was told: “Go grab my son and let him run with you.” From there, the operation grew fast. Martin eventually found himself receiving as much as 100 kilos of cocaine a week, handling massive amounts of cash, meeting his father’s network of customers, and running stash locations throughout Orange County. He talks about: • Growing up around narcos, gang members, money, and violence in Anaheim • His uncle’s rise—and mysterious disappearance in Mexico • How his father built his own trafficking network • Getting introduced to the business as a teenager • His father’s arrest and the moment he was brought into the operation • Receiving 100 kilos of cocaine per week • Counting and collecting millions of dollars • The surveillance operation that eventually brought the feds to his door • His federal prison sentence and why he finally walked away from the life This is the story of a kid who grew up wanting to become a narco, eventually entered his family’s world, and learned firsthand where that life leads. Go Support Martin! IG: https://www.instagram.com/48ways/ YouTube: @48ways62 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5kZEs5TcRjasUjFpdrdBv0?si=Fu_4vtUzTpGKqys9Tik7zg This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! Hims! Ready to build a better sex life? Visit https://hims.com/connect for a personalized plan—for sex, hair, weight loss and more. Prescription products require an online consultation with a licensed healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. Individual results may vary. *Based on a survey of Hims customers. See hims.com for full details. GLD! New customers get 40% Off with code MITCHELL at https://gld.com Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Meet Martin Muñiz: Inside a Narco Family Dynasty 2:05 Growing Up Around Anaheim Gangs and Cartel Money 12:05 His Uncle's Meth and Ephedrine Empire 18:54 How the Family Came from Mexico to California 26:54 This Episode Is Sponsored By PrizePicks 28:03 His Uncle's Cartel and International Smuggling Routes 36:29 The Mysterious Disappearance of His Uncle 42:41 Living Between Street Gangs and Drug Kingpins 48:32 How His Father Rebuilt the Family Business 59:10 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 1:00:29 Corruption and Smuggling at the U.S.–Mexico Border 1:07:05 Entering the Drug Game at 18 1:14:00 From Small Deals to Moving Pounds of Meth 1:22:22 Getting Access to His Father's Supply 1:26:18 This Episode Is Sponsored By GLD 1:27:39 His First Big Deal With His Dad 1:39:50 His Father Gets Arrested 1:50:15 Taking Over the Family's Drug Network 1:58:18 His Dad Flees to Mexico and the Business Expands 2:05:04 Stashing and Distributing 100 Kilos of Cocaine 2:12:48 The Dream of Becoming a Kingpin in Mexico 2:23:31 The First Sting and Police Raid 2:31:13 Managing Millions and Tracking Missing Loads 2:40:39 Stolen Drugs, Enforcers, and Cartel Violence 2:49:52 The Hawaiian Distributor Who Became an Informant 2:55:13 Realizing Federal Agents Were Following Him 3:03:56 Why His Father Turned Down El Mayo Zambada 3:12:16 The Plot to Kill Martin 3:18:38 Finding a Tracking Device on His Car 3:26:33 The DEA Arrest and Raids 3:31:30 How the Informant Built a Federal Case 3:42:43 Facing 12 Years in Federal Prison 3:54:15 How His Father Retired from Drug Trafficking 4:03:25 Life After Prison: Rap and the Music Business 4:11:00 Regrets, His Children, and His Father in Mexico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices