American Vigilante Reveals How He Went To WAR Against The WORST Cartels In Mexico

In one of the most unbelievable redemption stories ever told, Johnny sits down with Dave Franke, a man whose life has taken him from the streets of North Hollywood to the front lines of Mexico’s war against the cartels.

After losing custody of his daughter, he made the unthinkable choice — to move to Zacatecas, Mexico, and join the state police, fighting the same cartels that once supplied the drugs that nearly killed him.

He opens up about:

-Growing up amid gang violence and drug addiction in 1980s Los Angeles
-Surviving attempted murder charges and life on the run
-Finding faith and redemption after nearly losing everything
-His shocking experience inside the Zacatecas State Police — from brutal training to real-life gun battles with cartel convoys
-Corruption, U.S. involvement, and what it’s really like to fight the cartels from the inside

Raw, intense, and deeply human — this episode dives into the darkness of addiction, the chaos of Mexico’s cartel war, and the unlikely redemption of a man who walked through both.

Go Support Dave!

Website: davefranke.com

This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:

Ava! Download the Ava app today, and when you join using my promo code CONNECT20, you’ll save 20% for your first year—monthly or annual, your choice.

Surfshark! Go to surfshark.com/connectmitchell or use code CONNECTMITCHELL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!

Ridge! Upgrade your wallet today! Get 10% Off @Ridge with code CONNECT at Ridge.com/CONNECT #Ridgepod

Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!
patreon.com/theconnectshow

00:00 Intro: Violence in Mexico & Dave Franke's Quest
02:32 Dave's Background: Childhood & Gang Life in LA
08:26 Falling Into Drugs & Drug Dealing
13:19 Addiction, Violence & Attempted Murder
21:56 Rock Bottom and Getting Sober
24:18 This Episode Is Sponsored By AVA!
26:27 Losing Custody & The Move to Mexico
27:57 Motivation: Fighting the Cartels
29:34 State Police: Joining & Training in Mexico
35:34 Corruption, Human Rights & Reality of Policing
41:13 This Episode Is Sponsored By SURFSHARK and RIDGE!
45:46 Cartel Wars: Operations, Shootouts & Survival
55:49 Life in Zacatecas: Convoys, Shootings & Daily Danger
01:06:06 Cartel Corruption, Moles & Betrayal
01:21:05 Election Violence & Political Corruption
01:43:33 Did He Make a Difference? Reflections on Violence
01:49:49 Leaving the Force, Law School, & Life After
01:57:46 Reflections on Mexico & Closing Thoughts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices