Julian Dorey Podcast #379 - “Sinister!” - Cartel Cop on Cartel Occult, “R*pe Tree” & Life-Changing Cure | Matt Thomas
Feb 3, 2026
Matt Thomas, former Pinal County chief deputy who spent 30 years hunting cartels and leading narcotics and undercover work. He recounts chasing Sinaloa operatives in Arizona. He discusses ruthless cartel structures, horrifying “rape tree” trafficking practices, and the personal toll of long-term trauma. He also talks about trying ketamine therapy for processing trauma and how it changed his outlook.
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Prepare For Seconds Of Chaos
- Matt suggests patience: many investigations are slow, with long periods of routine punctuated by short chaotic events.
- He emphasizes readiness for brief high-intensity moments rather than constant action.
Hiking In Night Vision To Raid A Suspect
- Matt described a mission hiking three miles in night vision to hit a target who was rumored to carry grenades.
- The team entered, found an empty house, and realized last-minute intel had moved the suspects.
Cartels Became Overt On U.S. Soil
- Matt saw cartel structure become visible in the 2000s as lieutenants and captains operated overtly on U.S. soil.
- Local agencies faced middling tiers while feds handled top-level transnational networks.
