25-Jan-24
#2092 – Mariana van Zeller
This podcast dives deep into Mariana van Zeller’s experiences as a journalist, specifically her work on National Geographic’s “Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller.” She shares hair-raising stories from her time investigating black markets, conflict zones, and dangerous situations, revealing a world of exploitation and hidden dangers. Underlying themes include the pervasive nature of global black markets, the complexities of global power struggles, and the risks associated with pursuing investigative journalism.
1. A Military Coup in Niger:
Mariana’s season four episode of “Trafficked” ended with a military coup in Niger, where she and her team were stranded for nine days.
She was in Niger with a military convoy for protection, filming a story about illegal gold mining in the Sahara Desert.
The coup led to the closure of land borders and airspace, leaving Mariana and her team with no way out.
Their escape involved a daring midnight flight arranged by an evacuation company, a last-minute confrontation with military officials, and a lucky encounter with a Portuguese pilot who took a risk to get them out.
2. The Global Gold Trade:
Mariana details the dangers and complexities of the global gold trade, specifically the illegal and unregulated gold mining in Niger.
She highlights the inhumane conditions faced by miners who work tirelessly in hand-dug tunnels, with no safety precautions or fair compensation.
The gold mined in Niger ends up in the hands of middlemen and ultimately in the Gulf, with Dubai being a major hub for gold trading.
The podcast discusses the shockingly small amount of gold that exists on Earth, emphasizing the absurdity of our collective obsession with this rare and valuable metal.
3. The Ethical Dilemmas of Technology:
The conversation explores the ethical dilemmas associated with the technology we use daily, specifically highlighting the prevalence of slave labor in the mining of cobalt, a crucial component in cell phones.
Mariana points out the hypocrisy of social justice advocates who use devices manufactured through exploitation, emphasizing the disconnect between virtue signaling online and the reality of global supply chains.
The podcast underscores the importance of ethical consumption and the need for greater transparency in global supply chains.
4. The Dark Reality of Ape Trafficking:
Mariana delves into the disturbing world of ape trafficking in the Congo, revealing a brutal trade fueled by demand for exotic pets in the Gulf countries.
She highlights the devastating impact of this trade, which involves the killing of entire ape families to capture baby apes, emphasizing the ecological and ethical ramifications of this practice.
The podcast examines the roles of different players in the ape trafficking network, including the Batwa Pygmies, Congolese middlemen, and wealthy buyers in the Gulf.
It also explores the efforts of organizations like Conserve Congo and park rangers who are working tirelessly to protect these endangered species.
5. The Allure and Dangers of Hashish:
Mariana dives into the history and culture of hashish, tracing its origins in Morocco and its role in European drug culture.
She discusses the process of making hashish, from the harvest of the cannabis plant to the extraction of resin and the creation of a potent paste.
The podcast explores the decriminalization of drugs in Portugal and its positive impact on addiction, crime, and incarceration rates, offering a contrasting perspective to the US drug policy.
It also discusses the complexities of the US prison industrial complex and the role of privatized prisons in perpetuating drug prohibition and mass incarceration.
6. The Growing Threat of Fentanyl:
Mariana addresses the fentanyl crisis and its connection to the global drug trade, particularly the role of cartels in Mexico and their involvement in producing and distributing counterfeit pharmaceutical pills.
She highlights the danger of these fake pills, which often contain fentanyl and meth, leading to overdoses and deaths among Americans seeking cheaper medications in Mexico.
The podcast examines the motives behind the pharmaceutical industry’s high drug prices and the resulting reliance on black market drugs, questioning the ethical implications of prioritizing profits over public health.
7. The Wild West of the Body Parts Trade:
Mariana reveals the disturbing and unregulated nature of the US body parts trade, highlighting the potential for exploitation and the lack of legal oversight in this industry.
She shares harrowing stories of funeral homes that have been caught selling body parts without the consent of families, highlighting the ethical and legal complexities of this market.
The podcast explores the dark underbelly of the body parts trade, with skulls being sold for thousands of dollars, and other body parts being used for everything from wallets to pen parts.
8. The Bodies Exhibit Controversy:
Mariana delves into the controversy surrounding the Bodies Exhibit, which displays plastinated human bodies, and the accusations that the bodies may have come from executed prisoners in China.
She discusses the specific process of Plastination, highlighting the logistical challenges and raising concerns about the potential for illegal organ harvesting.
The podcast examines the ethical implications of displaying human bodies without consent, particularly when there are allegations of murder and forced organ harvesting.
9. The Dangers of Investigating Powerful Entities:
Mariana reflects on the risks she faces as an investigative journalist, particularly when she goes after powerful entities, such as pharmaceutical companies or intelligence agencies.
She shares instances of intimidation, threats, and lawsuits directed at her and her team, demonstrating the pushback she encounters when exposing corruption and illegal activities.
The podcast highlights the importance of protecting sources and ensuring the safety of journalists, particularly those working in dangerous and sensitive environments.
10. The Perpetuation of Violence:
Mariana delves into the cycle of violence in the black markets, emphasizing the role of poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity in driving individuals towards criminal activities.
She highlights the role of cartels in creating environments of fear and impunity, where violence is normalized, and individuals are forced to participate in illegal activities for survival.
The podcast explores the complexities of addressing violence and the need for systemic change to address the root causes, rather than solely focusing on enforcement.
11. The Dark Side of Sextortion:
Mariana exposes the growing problem of sextortion, a crime that often targets teenagers and young adults, using threats and blackmail to extort money.
She shares heartbreaking stories of victims who have been manipulated and driven to suicide, emphasizing the psychological and emotional toll of this crime.
The podcast examines the complexities of online exploitation and the difficulty of prosecuting perpetrators who often operate from remote locations, highlighting the need for awareness and education to prevent these crimes.
12. The Controversial Legacy of Jeffrey Epstein:
Mariana discusses the Jeffrey Epstein case and its connection to sextortion, highlighting allegations that he used his wealth and influence to blackmail powerful individuals by secretly filming them engaging in sexual activities with underage girls.
The podcast explores the theories surrounding Epstein’s death, including suspicions of murder and the potential involvement of intelligence agencies.
It questions the media’s handling of this case, particularly the lack of investigation into the identities of Epstein’s collaborators and the implications of their potential involvement in a broader scheme of control and influence.
13. The Role of Law Enforcement:
The podcast delves into the complexities of law enforcement, particularly the potential for corruption and the dangers of incentivizing arrests without focusing on systemic change.
Mariana discusses examples of law enforcement agents who have been accused of engaging in illegal activities, such as confiscating weapons and selling them to cartels, or manipulating individuals into committing crimes to justify arrests.
It emphasizes the need for ethical law enforcement and the importance of holding officers accountable for misconduct, particularly when they are tasked with protecting the public.
14. The Power of Investigative Journalism:
Mariana shares her perspective on the importance of investigative journalism in exposing corruption and holding powerful entities accountable.
She highlights the challenges and risks associated with this work, including intimidation, threats, and lawsuits, but also the impact of her work in bringing attention to critical issues and prompting changes in regulations and policies.
The podcast underscores the power of journalism to shed light on hidden truths and empower individuals to demand accountability and justice.
Memorable Quotes:
“You know, I’ve been a journalist covering black markets and going to war zones and conflict areas all my life, but this was I think the most uncomfortable and scared I’ve ever been.” – Mariana shares her experience of being stranded in Niger during a military coup, emphasizing the intensity of the situation.
“The bottom line is that we’re obsessed with this stupid soft metal.” – Mariana expresses her bewilderment about our fascination with gold, questioning its inherent value and its role in global economies.
“The same people that were probably never by a diamond ring, right? They’re the ones that are probably, you know, never bought a diamond ring.” – Mariana highlights the irony of social justice advocates using devices manufactured through slave labor, pointing out the disconnect between values and actions.
“And we were in an open area in the forested area, should we try to hide? And then we’re gonna really look suspicious.” – Mariana describes a tense moment when she and her team were abandoned by cartel members during a helicopter flyover, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of her work.
“You know, it’s a really good question, I mean, if you were dying, or if your son or daughter was dying and you knew that the only way you could get this organ was on the black market, would you do it?” – Mariana explores the ethical dilemmas of organ transplantation, highlighting the desperate choices people are forced to make when confronted with a broken healthcare system.