Narco Warriors is a new investigative podcast that reconsiders the history of the global war on drugs through the eyes of the people who lived it.
In a series of firsthand accounts, host Lindsay Charlton and his guests cast fresh light on how a law-enforcement campaign begun in the 1970s has grown into what the production frames as a full-scale national security mission centred on the United States.
Charlton, a veteran journalist and presenter, guides listeners through stories from former senior officers Philip Matthews and Graham Honey, who spent decades as Drug Liaison Officers with British Customs and Excise.
They share their experiences of hunting major drug traffickers and working with law enforcement, military units and special forces around the world, explaining how cooperation between agencies evolved over time.
The series does not limit itself to operational anecdotes. It also tackles the wider implications of narcotics enforcement and how policy shifts have brought contentious tactics into play, such as the use of force against suspected smuggling vessels.
Through detailed narrative and witness testimony, Narco Warriors gives a clearer sense of how drug control efforts have intersected with broader security concerns.
Episodes feature voices from former contacts and allies who observed unfolding events in different regions, offering an international perspective on a story often told from a narrow angle.
The result is a layered examination of the people, decisions and geopolitical forces that have shaped the long-running effort to stem the flow of illegal drugs.
Narco Warriors launches today, 2 February this year on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.
