Speaker 1 (00:00): My name is John Gibler. I’m an author and a journalist.
Step into the clandestine world of international drug trafficking with “Transportista,” a gripping new podcast that promises to unravel the intricate operations of air logistics within some of the world’s most notorious drug cartels. Hosted by acclaimed author and journalist John Gibler, “Transportista” delves into the story of a mysterious individual, a self-proclaimed pilot, entrepreneur, and air logistics coordinator, who spent nearly three decades navigating the treacherous skies for major drug trafficking organizations.
The genesis of “Transportista” is as intriguing as the narrative itself. In January 2021, colleagues at Ictiva, a Mexico City-based film and podcast studio, stumbled upon this enigmatic figure during their research. They conducted a series of interviews using a smuggled cell phone from inside a North Carolina prison. The tales spun by this “transportista” were captivating, hinting at a life steeped in secrecy and high-stakes operations.
Intrigued by the interview transcripts, John Gibler embarked on his own investigation, driven by a journalist’s inherent skepticism and a thirst for truth. “Yeah, I said, I’m interested, but I’ll need to do my own investigation,” Gibler recounts, emphasizing his commitment to verifying the audacious claims of the “transportista.” However, the clandestine nature of the story was immediately apparent, punctuated by the abrupt ending of one communication: “I had to hang up suddenly because the guard woke by.” This raw, unfiltered glimpse into the “transportista’s” reality within prison walls sets the tone for a podcast that dares to venture into the shadows.
To further amplify the narrative’s intensity, Ictiva enlisted the talents of legendary Mexican actor Joaquin Cosio. Known to many English-speaking audiences from his role in the Netflix hit “Narcos: Mexico,” Cosio lends his powerful voice to read the English translations of the “transportista’s” quoted interviews. His involvement adds a layer of gravitas and authenticity, bridging the linguistic gap and bringing the “transportista’s” story to a wider audience. “I’m currently locked up in a prison in North Carolina called River’s Correctional Facility,” Cosio voices, embodying the “transportista’s” confined yet compelling presence.
Gibler’s initial skepticism soon gave way to fascination as he delved deeper. Contacting reporters who had previously encountered the pilot, he discovered a man with an “amazing memory,” a living “encyclopedia of the history of drug trafficking not only in Mexico worldwide.” This wasn’t just another criminal narrative; it was a firsthand account from someone who claimed to be intimately involved in shaping the landscape of global drug trade for decades. The pilot’s motivations, however, remained complex. As one contact noted, “He wanted to sell the truth,” suggesting a desire to unburden himself and perhaps rewrite his own narrative.
The digital footprint of this “transportista” further piqued Gibler’s curiosity. An online search revealed a Twitter account with a striking autobiographical snippet: “My lies, My lies made me special.” This cryptic statement hints at a life built on deception and perhaps a twisted sense of pride in his illicit achievements. Fragments of coded language and veiled references further deepened the mystery: “I had sent my fack on Tony the extra Bravo India Jio. I had to send the federal police commander and other officials to prepare, so to say, the technical stopped over, That DIDC ninth with the drugs? How to make in Suban Dekar.”
“Who is this pilot?” Gibler probes, encapsulating the central question that drives the “Transportista” podcast. “What is he telling us? What, if anything in this gregarious, and as we’ll come to learn, litigious pilot’s story can help us understand the war in which we live?” These are not just rhetorical questions; they are the guiding principles of an investigation that seeks to dissect the “transportista’s” narrative and extract meaningful insights into the broader context of the drug war.
“This is Transportista,” the introduction declares, “the story of a man with multiple identities and a peculiar talent who became an expert in moving tons and tons of cocaine.” The podcast promises to be more than just a true crime tale; it aims to be an exploration of identity, deception, and the mechanics of a global illicit industry, all through the lens of one man’s extraordinary, and potentially embellished, experiences.
Listeners eager to uncover the truth behind the “transportista’s” claims and delve into the shadowy world of drug trafficking can tune into “Transportista” in both English and Spanish, starting July 14th. As part of the Michael Tuda podcast Network, “Transportista” is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms. Prepare to be captivated by a story that blurs the lines between fact and fiction, offering a unique and potentially unsettling perspective on the war on drugs from an insider’s perspective – the “transportista.”
