Being a Woman in Investigative Journalism | Trafficked | National Geographic UK

Summary

A journalist recounts her daring encounter with a drug operation owner in Mexico. Initially distrustful, the boss grants her access to a gun trafficking operation after a tense meeting. Despite witnessing the illegal trade, the boss remains suspicious of her identity, warning her of deadly consequences if she's law enforcement.

Takeaways

• 🚫 **Unique Advantage**: The narrator feels being a woman provides a unique advantage in dangerous situations as they are perceived as less threatening.
• 🌍 **Access to Criminal Operations**: The team was seeking access to a drug operation, highlighting the pursuit of exclusive stories.
• 📱 **Communication Concerns**: There was a dilemma over whether to bring a phone, due to the risk of being mistaken for law enforcement.
• 🕒 **Meeting Under Suspicion**: A midnight meeting was arranged with the boss of a region to discuss access, emphasizing the high-stakes nature of the encounter.
• 🔍 **Vetting Process**: The boss was initially very suspicious and did not trust the narrator, indicating the difficulty of gaining trust in such scenarios.
• 📸 **Proof of Work**: The narrator showed past work to establish credibility, a common practice when trying to gain access to closed groups.
• 🚫 **Initial Rejection**: Despite the efforts, the boss did not initially grant access, showing that trust is hard to earn in these environments.
• 📍 **Unexpected Turn**: A text with GPS coordinates the next morning indicated a change of mind, suggesting a dynamic and unpredictable situation.
• 🔥 **Live Access to Illegal Activity**: The team was granted access to a live gun trade, illustrating the high-risk, high-reward nature of their work.
• 🤝 **Complex Relationship**: The boss's continued suspicion but willingness to provide access reflects the complex and nuanced relationships in such scenarios.
• ⚔️ **Threats and Protection**: The boss's statement about having men around if the narrator was law enforcement shows the constant threat and the fine line between safety and danger.

Q & A

What was the main reason the drug operation owner agreed to meet?

The owner agreed to meet because he wanted to assess the journalist personally, as he represented less of a threat.

Why did the journalist consider bringing a tracking device or a satellite phone?

The journalist considered bringing a tracking device or a satellite phone for safety reasons, but also feared it might be seen as a sign of law enforcement, which could be dangerous.

How did the journalist attempt to break the ice with the drug operation owner?

The journalist asked the owner for a cigarette to break the ice during their initial meeting.

Why was the journalist initially denied access to the gun trafficking operation?

The journalist was initially denied access because the drug operation owner was very suspicious and did not trust her, even after seeing her past work.

How did the journalist gain access to the gun trafficking operation after the initial meeting?

After the initial meeting, the journalist received a text message with GPS coordinates and a time to meet, which granted her access to the operation.

What was the drug operation owner's attitude towards the journalist during the gun trade observation?

The drug operation owner remained suspicious and did not fully trust the journalist, even while allowing her to observe the gun trade.

What was the owner's response when asked if he believed the journalist was a journalist after granting access?

The owner admitted he was still not sure if the journalist was a journalist or law enforcement, but stated that if she was law enforcement, she would not leave alive.

What precautions did the journalist and her team take before the meeting with the drug operation owner?

They debated whether to take a tracking device or satellite phone, and considered the risks of being perceived as law enforcement.

What was the significance of the journalist being a woman in this situation?

The journalist suggests that being a woman made her seem less threatening, which may have contributed to the owner's decision to meet with her.

How did the journalist feel about the potential risks involved in meeting the drug operation owner?

The journalist had to weigh the risks, including the possibility of being perceived as law enforcement, against the potential story, acknowledging that no story is worth her life.

What was the outcome of the journalist's meeting with the drug operation owner?

The outcome was that the journalist was granted access to observe the gun trade, providing her with a unique insight into the operation.