Episode 82: A Retired FBI Agent’s Inside Look into the World of MS-13

Cartels, Conspiracies, and Camarena

Daniel Brunner boasts an impressive 29 years of combined service in federal law enforcement and the U.S. Navy. Serving 20 years as a Special Agent in the FBI, Mr. Brunner developed a wide area of expertise including vital Latin and South American geopolitical subjects, encompassing facets such as China's involvement, organized crime ranging from gangs to cartels, nuances of local business practices, corruption, the prevailing political atmosphere, and intricate local due diligence.

In particular, Mr. Brunner, working with other federal agencies and the offices of the U.S. Attorneys, investigated the criminal enterprise known as MS-13 and was able to utilize RICO to charge numerous members of MS-13, not only for individual crimes but also for participating in the broader criminal activities of the gang as a whole.

In this Episode, Mr. Brunner discusses the rise of MS-13 as an international criminal organization, its evolution over time, the relationship between MS-13 and the Mexican cartels, and the efforts of law enforcement to bring MS-13 to justice.