Episodes

  • Trailer: The Syndicate

    Trailer: The Syndicate
    Jun 15 2020
    A group of college friends gamed Colorado’s marijuana laws and made millions in the most sophisticated black market growing operation we’ve seen in America since states began legalizing pot. This 10-episode, narrative podcast follows the group’s rise... and spectacular fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    3 mins
  • THE DRUG RUNNER | Chapter 1

    THE DRUG RUNNER | Chapter 1
    Aug 11 2020
    In June 2014, a Kansas State Patrolman pulls over a minivan on a routine traffic stop, only to discover $374,000, a gun, and 66 pounds of pot stuffed into the rear luggage compartment. The roadside bust seems insignificant, but will ultimately lead to the takedown of a multimillion dollar criminal enterprise. Welcome to The Syndicate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • SETTING UP SHOP | Chapter 2

    SETTING UP SHOP | Chapter 2
    Aug 11 2020
    Andrew Cohen moves to Colorado to help his longtime college friend Tri Nguyen start a marijuana business. But when Tri throws a duffle bag filled with cash and a GPS tracker off the side of a mountain in the Rockies, Cohen begins to realize the business is not exactly above-board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • MORE PATIENTS, MORE PLANTS | Chapter 3

    MORE PATIENTS, MORE PLANTS | Chapter 3
    Aug 18 2020
    Tri takes his marijuana business from a cottage industry to full scale industrialization with growing facilities all over Denver. The weed mogul also devises ways to perfect his "caregiving" model to fool cannabis regulators, all the while hiding his criminal activities in plain sight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    36 mins
  • PEST CONTROL | Chapter 4

    PEST CONTROL | Chapter 4
    Aug 25 2020
    Even as the Syndicate's growing network expands, distribution remains a problem. Getting the organization’s product across state borders is as risky as it is profitable. And early on, the Syndicate goes through growing pains and personnel issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • ALMOST LEGAL | Chapter 5

    ALMOST LEGAL | Chapter 5
    Sep 1 2020
    Even as the Syndicate hits its stride as an illegal operation, Tri sets up a big play to go legal. He wants to leave the black market forever. But what will it take -- and what will the Syndicate sacrifice in order to go legit? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • FAMILY MAN | Chapter 6

    FAMILY MAN | Chapter 6
    Sep 8 2020
    The backstory of the Syndicate's kingpin. We explore Tri's motivations, his history with the Syndicate's key distributor in Minnesota, and why he reacted the way he did when things in Denver started to go terribly sideways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • OPERATION GOLDEN GO-FER | Chapter 7

    OPERATION GOLDEN GO-FER | Chapter 7
    Sep 15 2020
    After Joe Johnson flips and becomes an informant, the noose starts to tighten around the Syndicate. In October 2014, police execute 18 simultaneous search warrants, bringing down the entire enterprise with SWAT teams and over a hundred armed police officers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins