Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Junchung Wu is the head of a criminal network which traffics in endangered totoaba fish, one of the most powerful criminal networks on the planet.
The totoaba fish is known as the cocaine of the sea, because one kilo of totoaba is worth even more than the same weight of cocaine. Totoaba swim bladders are used in Chinese traditional medicine, which has driven up the value of the fish. The traffic of totoaba is considered to be one of the most violent illicit trades in the world, and China requested Interpol to issue the red notice on Junchung Wu who is currently believed to be in Tijuana, Mexico.
The traffickers catch totoaba fish with gillnets which are indiscriminate killers of the endemic species. They entrap other animals such as the Vaquita Porpoise, which is critically endangered with as few as ten specimens left in the wild. The nets also trap sea turtles and other vulnerable species.
Meanwhile investigators face the risk of violence, and report having been attacked by poachers, their boats stormed, and even hit with Molotov cocktails. The illicit trade is managed by the Sinoloa cartel in Mexico, via the so-called Sea Cartel, alongside the Chinese mafia who provide the finances and are the key to the whole supply chain.
We meet those who are determined to bring him to justice and to stop the violent trade which is killing our planet.
This documentary was produced by Premières Lignes and directed by Martin Boudot. It was first released in 2023.
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Junchung Wu is the head of a criminal network which traffics in endangered totoaba fish, one of the most powerful criminal networks on the planet.
The totoaba fish is known as the cocaine of the sea, because one kilo of totoaba is worth even more than the same weight of cocaine. Totoaba swim bladders are used in Chinese traditional medicine, which has driven up the value of the fish. The traffic of totoaba is considered to be one of the most violent illicit trades in the world, and China requested Interpol to issue the red notice on Junchung Wu who is currently believed to be in Tijuana, Mexico.
The traffickers catch totoaba fish with gillnets which are indiscriminate killers of the endemic species. They entrap other animals such as the Vaquita Porpoise, which is critically endangered with as few as ten specimens left in the wild. The nets also trap sea turtles and other vulnerable species.
Meanwhile investigators face the risk of violence, and report having been attacked by poachers, their boats stormed, and even hit with Molotov cocktails. The illicit trade is managed by the Sinoloa cartel in Mexico, via the so-called Sea Cartel, alongside the Chinese mafia who provide the finances and are the key to the whole supply chain.
We meet those who are determined to bring him to justice and to stop the violent trade which is killing our planet.
This documentary was produced by Premières Lignes and directed by Martin Boudot. It was first released in 2023.
---
SUBSCRIBE for more amazing stories, including free FULL documentaries. On Java Discover we have an incredible library of award-winning documentaries: from world-leading investigations to true crime and history, we have something for everyone!
Click the SUBSCRIBE button and make sure to set NOTIFICATIONS to stay updated with all new content!
Follow us on TikTok, Facebook & Instagram: https://linktr.ee/javadiscover
