Nat Geo’s Nine-Time Emmy Award-Winning Series “Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller” Returns with Powerful New Season Exploring the World’s Deadliest Underground Markets [VIDEO]

National Geographic announced today that nine-time Emmy Award-winning investigative series TRAFFICKED WITH MARIANA VAN ZELLER will return for its highly anticipated new season on Saturday, July 19, @ 9PM/8c. Known for her fearless reporting and unparalleled contacts with the world’s most dangerous black markets, Emmy®, Peabody, and duPont Award-winning journalist Mariana van Zeller pulls back the curtain on global criminal enterprises – from cartels and scammers to militant extremists and underground drug labs.

In the wake of four News and Documentary Emmy® wins last week (adding to the five from the year before) and scoring a record 29 nominations this year alone, the new season of TRAFFICKED continues van Zeller’s immersive, on-the-ground reporting in some of the world’s most secretive underground markets. The new season kicks off with a groundbreaking look into the operations of Mexican cartels inside the United States. The results are shocking. From small-town drug cells, van Zeller explores how these criminal groups move drugs, launder billions, and even infiltrate law enforcement. It’s a growing influence that’s fueling violence and addiction across the country.

Armed with National Geographic’s trademark inside access, each episode follows van Zeller as she connects with traffickers, militias, scammers, smugglers, and law enforcement across the globe to investigate the inner workings of a multi-trillion-dollar shadow economy. From high-level criminals to frontline victims and government insiders, van Zeller’s reporting offers a 360-degree view of the forces shaping our increasingly interconnected, and blurred, legal and illegal economies. Premiering weekly, the series exposes the human cost of these hidden worlds and why they matter more than ever.

“This season mirrors the times we’re living in,” says van Zeller. “The issues we investigate – from the growing reach of cartels in the United States to the expanding world of scams – don’t happen in isolation. These are societal stories, rooted in desperation, exploitation, and the global forces shaping our future. Hidden stories that ultimately affect us all.”

Episodes include the following:

“Cartel USA” – Premieres July 19 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana explores the growing influence of Mexican cartels in the U.S.

“Scam City” – Premieres July 26 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana travels to Southeast Asia’s epicenter of romance and investment scams, known as “pig butchering.”

“The Tranq Dope Underground” – Premieres August 2 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the mysterious next wave of America’s opioid crisis.

“Brides for Sale” – Premieres August 9 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the black-market trade in trafficked brides destined for China.

“Million Dollar Highway Heists” – Premieres August 16 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the explosive world of heists.

“Inside America’s Militias” – Premieres August 23 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the growing influence of heavily armed militias.

“The Great American Rehab Scam” – Premieres August 30 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the dark underworld of fraudulent addiction treatment programs.

“Black Market Love” – Premieres September 6 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the global surge in anti-LGBTQ+ violence.

“Underground Street Racing” – Premieres September 13 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the deadly world of illegal street racing.

“Shark Hunters” – Premieres September 20 @ 9PM/8c

Mariana investigates the underground market for shark fins.

TRAFFICKED: UNDERWORLDS WITH MARIANA VAN ZELLER was nominated for 29 News and Documentary Emmys, the most nominations for an unscripted series in a single year in the history of television. The series won four Emmys, including Outstanding Health or Medical Coverage for “Body Parts,” Outstanding Arts, Culture or Entertainment Coverage for “Illegal Gambling,” Outstanding Crime and Justice Coverage for “Hash Smugglers,” and Outstanding Lighting Direction – News for “Illegal Gambling.” The series won five News & Documentary Emmys in 2024, including Outstanding Science and Technology Coverage for “Cyber Pirates,” Outstanding Business, Consumer, or Economic Coverage for “Black Market Babies,” Outstanding Video Journalism: News for “Terrorist Oil,” Outstanding Editing: News for “Ghost Guns,” and Outstanding Lighting Direction: News for “MDMA” The series received a Critics Choice Real TV Award nomination for Best Crime/Justice Show for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022 and a Critics Choice Documentary Award nomination for Best Ongoing Documentary Series in 2023. The series was a Gracie Award winner in 2024 for Documentary Series.