Ep 272 | He Hunted SATANIST Mexican Cartels and SURVIVED | Dave Franke | The Glenn Beck Podcast

Key Takeaways

Dave Franke's unique background, including childhood ties to Charles Manson and a career in aerospace, led him to infiltrate Mexican cartels.
Franke provided firsthand accounts of extreme cartel brutality in Zacatecas, the pervasive Santa Muerte cult, and significant cartel influence over governance.
Cartels are confirmed to operate within the United States, with current enforcement efforts described as 'barely scratching the surface' of the problem.
The episode debated radical solutions, including drug legalization, and explored the controversial possibility of government complicity with cartel operations.

Franke recounts a turbulent childhood, including his mother's association with Charles Manson in the 1960s.
He faced struggles with addiction and legal issues, including an attempted murder trial in 1991 related to a violent attack on a drug dealer.
After 28 years of sobriety, he transitioned from aerospace manufacturing, managing a $60 million factory for a Boeing/Airbus supplier in Mexico, to working with police.
He denied being a "spook" or MK Ultra victim but confirmed a conversation with the CIA at age 28 about joining.
His upbringing and the 1991 experience motivated his decision to actively pursue drug lords in Mexico.

Franke experienced the danger firsthand when cartels shut down all businesses in Zacatecas, including his factory, over unpaid remittances.
He and his wife were frequently near active gunfights involving nine-millimeter and AK-47s, sometimes for extended periods, without intervention.
He recounted a terrifying two-hour, 45-minute gunfight at a cartel-frequented bar, leading him to consider mercy killing his wife to prevent torture.
Cartel violence in Mexico is pervasive, fueled by economic factors and a lack of opportunity for much of the population.

After a years-long investigation, Franke integrated into a Mexican tactical unit, initially as a martial arts instructor.
He was later offered a position as a tactical sergeant, supported by official documentation.
His first major combat experience in Jerez, Mexico, involved a chaotic gunfight and led to the discovery of four beheaded individuals.
The guest noted that U.S. news outlets like CNN and Fox often censor graphic cartel violence imagery, contributing to public ignorance.

The Santa Muerte cult is prevalent within Mexican prisons, with cartel members frequently displaying symbols of the skeleton figure.
Described as a "patron saint of death," it is not endorsed by the Catholic Church and is associated with permitting torture and killing.
Stores selling Santa Muerte-related items, such as candles and rosaries, are found in every U.S. state.
Franke stated that he witnessed extreme brutality, including torture and the use of defibrillators for prolonged suffering, which he considers a daily reality in Mexico.

The guest detailed the escalating violence, citing an instance of a victim being flayed alive, explaining these acts send messages and impress cartel leaders.
Such extreme brutality has become commonplace, leading to a lasting traumatic impact on Franke and broader Mexican society.
Corrupt elements within Mexican law enforcement and competing factions collaborate with cartels, influencing mission planning.
The guest noted that items like Santa Muerte candles and rosaries are widely popular, even among those not practicing the cult.

The guest confirmed that cartels are actively operating within the United States, citing examples like Chinese operations in Maine and smuggling tunnels.
He stated that seizures by the Homeland Security Task Force, including 3,000 foreign terrorists and cartel members and 70 tons of narcotics, are "barely scratching the surface."
Franke questioned how the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) has flourished, suggesting possible government complicity from the U.S. or Mexico, referencing the TV show 'Ozark'.
Cartels extort money from victims, even during torture, and widely target ordinary citizens and businesses in Mexico.

Franke argued that military action alone is insufficient to combat cartels due to underlying socioeconomic factors and persistent drug demand.
He emphasized that eliminating cartel leaders, like 'Chapo', has not halted their proliferation or overall operations.
The discussion involved a past conversation with a U.S. president regarding the potential for U.S. teams to eliminate cartel members in Mexico.

The guest confirmed the plausibility of cartels placing bounties on American politicians and DHS/ICE officials.
Bounties are detailed for intelligence gathering, non-lethal assaults, and assassinations, affirmed by Franke as plausible due to cartel motivations regarding money supply.
The discussion touched on the Biden administration's and previous administrations' alleged allowance of drug and human trafficking.
Concerns were raised about the killing of innocent civilians and due process, with Franke arguing that even those involved in trafficking deserve a fair trial.

The guest discussed Spain's approach, where legalizing drugs and investing in rehabilitation reportedly led to decreased crime and addiction.
He argued that attacking cartels' profit margins is key, suggesting legalization could reduce the allure of illicit markets.
The idea of legalization is unpopular due to significant financial interests in the drug war, despite potential long-term benefits.
Franke questioned past anti-drug strategies like 'Just Say No' and emphasized the need for new approaches to persistent drug use issues.