Episode 4: Outlaw Country | Valley of Shadows

Episode 4: Outlaw Country | Valley of Shadows

From Examined: The Backfire Effect by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries

February 2, 2026 · 47 min · Season 5 · Episode 4

About this episode

Detective Brandenburg teams up with narcotics detective Darren Hager to investigate a meth syndicate linked to a disappearance case.

As Detective Brandenburg follows leads in the Aujay case, he finds himself with an unlikely ally. A young buck narcotics detective named Darren Hager, who’s trying to dismantle a meth syndicate run by a local biker gang. Hager discovers that his bikers have a disturbing connection to Aujay’s disappearance — and to some of his own LASD colleagues. So he brings in the big guns, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and they launch a covert task force. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack here . Binge the entire season of Valley of Shadows, ad-free, by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Valley of Shadows show page on Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm/plus . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Guest: Darren Hager

Topics covered

  • meth syndicate
  • biker gang
  • detective work
  • covert task force
  • disappearance
  • drug investigation

Keywords

  • Aujay case
  • meth syndicate
  • biker gang
  • covert task force
  • drug investigation
  • Valley of Shadows

Sponsors

Pushkin+

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Drug Enforcement Administration, LASD, Apple Podcasts, Pushkin.fm

Books & works: Valley of Shadows

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