Through months of lockdown restrictions, television has given us a way to escape the confines of our four walls, offering a window to the world. And while fantasy and drama have been welcome distractions, there’s something particularly satisfying about becoming enthralled by real-life stories. Truth, as they say, is often stranger than fiction. This is why we’re so excited by upcoming docu-series on the National Geographic channel, Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller.
The eight-part series is a fast-paced, gritty, suspenseful and raw exploration of the underground world of international smugglers. Award-winning investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller – who has spent her distinguished career covering war zones, drug cartels, and traffickers – gains unparalleled access to the criminal networks engaged in the illicit trade of tigers, cocaine and counterfeit money. She comes face-to-face with all sorts of people involved in these operations, from tiger traffickers and international scammers to counterfeiters, gunrunners and fentanyl suppliers.
Through Mariana and her team, viewers gain unique access to the secretive and most dangerous black markets in the world. Mariana secures time with the kingpins behind the criminal operations, as well as law enforcement agents, former gang members, and the ordinary people whose lives are blighted by them.
The series shines a light on the trafficking networks that are part of a multi-trillion-dollar shadow economy, but also reveals - with Zeller's characteristic empathy and bravery - that the people operating these trafficking rings are more like us than we think.
Monday nights are about to get a whole lot more exciting...