Narco-Terrorism Reimagined: Why the Old Rules No Longer Apply with Martin Gallagher

Jan 13, 2026

What happens when the world's most dangerous networks evolve faster than the systems meant to stop them?

In this episode of The Opioid Matrix, host Michael Brown sits down with Dr. Martin Gallagher – retired Scottish police superintendent, terrorism researcher, and author of Terror for Profit – to dissect how globalization, soft policy, and outdated paradigms have allowed narco-terrorism to thrive unchecked.

Together, they explore:

How terrorist and criminal networks have merged into a single global threat
Why traditional definitions of "terrorism" no longer fit modern cartel activity
How drug policy could feed criminal profits
What governments must do to regain control: a radical enforcement, policy realignment, or both

Dr. Gallagher brings a unique transatlantic perspective, drawing on decades of law enforcement, academic research, and frontline experience with international crime.

This episode isn't just about the problem – it's a direct challenge to the systems, laws, and ideologies failing to confront a threat hiding in plain sight.

Listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast player:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Views expressed in this material are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Rigaku Analytical Devices.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1625927161?to=page

Michael Brown

Michael W. Brown is the global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices. He has a distinguished career spanning more than 32 years as a Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He served as the country attaché in India and Myanmar; During his tour in Myanmar, he provided foreign advisory support for counter narcotic enforcement that, to date, has resulted in the interdiction of over US$250 million in precursor chemicals and implementing the regions first use of Raman spectroscopy to degrade the supply chain for narcotics production. He was also part of a special specialized counter narcotics unit operating in the jungles of South America tasked with locating and destroying drug labs and narcotic supply chains. Most recently he was the DEA Headquarters staff coordinator for the Office of Foreign Operations for the Middle East-Europe-Afghanistan-India. Michael is a graduate of the United States Ranger Training Battalion and has a master’s degree in interdisciplinary technology and management from the University of Eastern Michigan.

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