Episode 6: The Big Takedown | Valley of Shadows
From Examined: The Backfire Effect by Western Sound and Pushkin Industries
February 16, 2026 · 43 min · Season 5 · Episode 6
About this episode
The episode covers a major drug sting operation in Antelope Valley and its connection to the Aujay case.
Brandenburg is taken off the Aujay case, but the LASD can’t stop Hager and the federal task force. With the help of wiretaps, informants, and 18 months of investigation, the team pulls off one of the largest drug stings in Antelope Valley history and nets a key witness in the Aujay case. 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.
Topics covered
- drug sting
- investigation
- law enforcement
- Antelope Valley
- Aujay case
- wiretaps
- informants
Keywords
- drug sting
- Aujay case
- Antelope Valley
- investigation
- wiretaps
- informants
- LASD
Sponsors
Pushkin+
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: LASD, Valley of Shadows, Apple Podcasts, Pushkin.fm
More episodes of Examined: The Backfire Effect
- Trailer: The Backfire Effect · September 8, 2026 · 3 min
- Lost Hills is Becoming Examined · September 4, 2026 · 2 min
- Episode 8: The Finish Line | Valley of Shadows · March 2, 2026 · 53 min
- Episode 7: The Trial | Valley of Shadows · February 23, 2026 · 51 min
- Episode 5: The Legend of Bigfoot | Valley of Shadows · February 9, 2026 · 43 min
- Episode 4: Outlaw Country | Valley of Shadows · February 2, 2026 · 47 min
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