Cartels, corruption, and Trudeau’s shadowy ties exposed: Sam Cooper.

The Bureau Podcast | October 29, 2025

In Brief by Probe International

Investigative journalist Sam Cooper joins BNN’s Jason James to delve into the alarming rise of methamphetamine exports from Canada to Australia and New Zealand, highlighting a significant connection between Canadian drug networks and international trafficking. Cooper explains that while Canadian media often downplays the issue, authorities in New Zealand and Australia have reported substantial drug seizures linked to Canadian sources, including a record 700-kilogram meth shipment disguised in maple syrup containers. These trends reflect a broader pattern of transnational crime, with Canadian networks increasingly used as staging points for drug shipments by Chinese and Mexican drug cartels, challenging the perception of Canada as a safe and law-abiding nation.

Cooper explains that while proximity to countries like China and Indonesia might suggest they would be the primary sources for New Zealand and Australia, the clandestine nature of these operations allows traffickers to exploit Canada’s reputation for strong rule of law and border security. He notes that Canadian networks are increasingly involved in international drug trafficking, and criticizes legacy media for downplaying the severity of the issue, as well as failing to acknowledge the broader implications of these drug exports. The media’s reluctance to fully report on the situation, he says, reflects a denialism among certain audiences who prefer to believe in a more favorable narrative about Canada that obscures the reality of Canada’s role.

The discussion also looks at the troubling implications of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meetings with individuals connected to Chinese organized crime and fentanyl trafficking, questioning the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding these interactions. Cooper concludes that the absence of answers regarding Trudeau’s associations raises serious red flags about the influence of foreign criminal networks on Canadian politics. He points out that significant political donations to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau coincide with meetings involving individuals linked to organized crime, suggesting a disturbing lack of accountability and transparency in Canadian politics. He also stresses that the RCMP may be misdirected by political influences, hindering their ability to address high-level organized crime effectively.

The conversation then pivots to a corruption scandal in the U.K. involving two young men charged with foreign interference, who allegedly gathered intelligence for China on conservative MPs critical of Beijing. Cooper draws parallels between the situations in Canada and the U.K., noting that both governments appear to prioritize diplomatic relations with China over national security, with influential figures in both countries advocating for leniency towards Chinese interests. U.S. officials have expressed concern over the U.K. government’s decision to drop a significant espionage case, indicating the potential impact on international alliances like the Five Eyes. 

WATCH SAM COOPER AND JASON JAMES IN CONVERSATION HERE