1
00:00:06,340 --> 00:00:09,301
MAN: All this wonderful
Miami that you see,
2
00:00:09,301 --> 00:00:11,136
all started out
with drug money.
3
00:00:13,931 --> 00:00:17,684
This town was built
on coke money,
4
00:00:18,727 --> 00:00:19,937
every bit of it.
5
00:00:21,438 --> 00:00:24,066
MARIANA: If you did cocaine
in America in the 80s,
6
00:00:24,066 --> 00:00:27,069
it almost certainly
passed through Miami.
7
00:00:27,069 --> 00:00:28,528
MAN (over TV): Miami
is cocaine city.
8
00:00:28,528 --> 00:00:30,822
The main cocaine transit
point between the American
9
00:00:30,822 --> 00:00:32,532
mainland and the Bahamas.
10
00:00:32,532 --> 00:00:34,576
MARIANA: Millions of dollars'
worth were smuggled in
11
00:00:34,576 --> 00:00:36,453
by this man alone.
12
00:00:36,453 --> 00:00:38,205
MAN: I got paid
500,000 a trip.
13
00:00:38,205 --> 00:00:39,623
I wouldn't do it for any less.
14
00:00:41,500 --> 00:00:45,254
MARIANA: Rival gangs
battled for their share
of the drug profits,
15
00:00:45,254 --> 00:00:48,757
making Miami the murder
capital of America,
16
00:00:48,757 --> 00:00:52,386
and inspiring my favorite
TV show as a kid.
17
00:00:52,386 --> 00:00:55,889
This was my first glimpse
into the cocaine underworld.
18
00:00:55,889 --> 00:00:59,559
I was fascinated by the money,
the violence,
19
00:00:59,559 --> 00:01:02,604
the larger than
life characters.
20
00:01:02,604 --> 00:01:06,400
And, of course,
Crockett's fashion choices.
21
00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:09,069
I had no idea that
decades later,
22
00:01:09,069 --> 00:01:12,239
the Miami smuggling
scene would be hot again.
23
00:01:12,239 --> 00:01:13,323
MAN (over loudspeaker):
Hands up! Hands up!
24
00:01:13,323 --> 00:01:14,825
Put your hands up!
25
00:01:14,825 --> 00:01:17,744
MARIANA: And that I'd be the
one chasing the traffickers.
26
00:01:17,744 --> 00:01:19,371
MAN: They're starting to
bring the old routes back.
27
00:01:19,371 --> 00:01:22,207
With connections all through
Central and South America.
28
00:01:22,207 --> 00:01:25,252
MARIANA: This is a story about
one of the most infamous and
29
00:01:25,252 --> 00:01:28,130
intractable smuggling
routes on the planet.
30
00:01:30,090 --> 00:01:32,259
(singing in native language)
31
00:01:40,183 --> 00:01:41,977
MAN: Police!
32
00:01:41,977 --> 00:01:45,689
MARIANA: After 40 years of
the multibillion‐dollar US
war on drugs,
33
00:01:45,689 --> 00:01:49,526
how is cocaine as cheap
and plentiful as ever?
34
00:01:49,526 --> 00:01:51,236
MAN: Cops don't
catch anybody man.
35
00:01:51,236 --> 00:01:52,571
People tell.
36
00:01:52,571 --> 00:01:54,406
MARIANA: Let's go.
Let's go, we were spotted.
37
00:01:55,782 --> 00:01:58,368
And who are the people putting
their lives on the line to
38
00:01:58,368 --> 00:02:01,580
deliver Americans their
preferred party drug?
39
00:02:04,583 --> 00:02:07,169
MARIANA: I'm heading on
a 3,000‐mile journey,
40
00:02:07,169 --> 00:02:12,466
from green leaves to
white lines, to find out.
41
00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:26,104
♪ ♪
42
00:02:37,616 --> 00:02:38,784
It's the police checkpoint.
43
00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:47,918
EDISON: Okay.
44
00:02:47,918 --> 00:02:49,920
MARIANA: When your job is
reporting on black markets,
45
00:02:49,920 --> 00:02:52,297
a few checkpoints
are to be expected.
46
00:02:55,717 --> 00:02:58,387
MARIANA: But nothing stirs the
butterflies in the belly quite
47
00:02:58,387 --> 00:03:02,849
like the last checkpoint,
the one before you step into
48
00:03:02,849 --> 00:03:04,476
ungoverned territory.
49
00:03:24,121 --> 00:03:25,997
MARIANA: As we clear
the checkpoint,
50
00:03:25,997 --> 00:03:29,626
we enter a lawless region that
produces roughly one‐fifth
51
00:03:29,626 --> 00:03:32,879
of the world's cocaine,
the VRAEM.
52
00:03:51,690 --> 00:03:52,816
CEVICHE: Excelente.
53
00:03:56,319 --> 00:03:59,072
MARIANA: My guide to this
world is my friend Ceviche,
54
00:03:59,072 --> 00:04:01,741
who lived in the
VRAEM for many years.
55
00:04:06,913 --> 00:04:09,040
CEVICHE: Si.
MARIANA: They're drying out
coca leaves right there.
56
00:04:13,128 --> 00:04:16,006
MARIANA: Locals here in the
VRAEM have been growing coca
57
00:04:16,006 --> 00:04:18,133
for thousands of years.
58
00:04:18,133 --> 00:04:20,886
But this isn't your
typical farming community.
59
00:04:37,569 --> 00:04:39,237
MARIANA: Throughout
the valley,
60
00:04:39,237 --> 00:04:41,782
vigilante militias
like this are the de
facto law of the land.
61
00:04:44,534 --> 00:04:47,245
These coca farmers turned
soldiers are trained to defend
62
00:04:47,245 --> 00:04:52,250
their communities
and their crop.
63
00:04:55,128 --> 00:04:56,129
MAN: Uh‐hmm.
64
00:04:56,129 --> 00:04:57,297
MARIANA: Coca leaves, eso.
Okay.
65
00:05:07,933 --> 00:05:10,185
They're saying I should just
chew it, not swallow it.
66
00:05:10,185 --> 00:05:12,062
It tastes like a leaf.
Hmm.
67
00:05:22,906 --> 00:05:27,536
Here in Peru, it's
actually legal to grow
and sell coca leaves.
68
00:05:27,536 --> 00:05:30,580
It only becomes illegal if
you're processing those
69
00:05:30,580 --> 00:05:32,123
leaves into cocaine.
70
00:05:41,424 --> 00:05:44,928
Originally, the militias
formed in response to
the Shining Path,
71
00:05:44,928 --> 00:05:49,349
a ruthless communist group
that rose to power in the 1980s.
72
00:05:50,308 --> 00:05:53,353
Its members have waged a
decades long civil war to
73
00:05:53,353 --> 00:05:55,230
overthrow the
Peruvian government.
74
00:06:01,778 --> 00:06:04,072
MARIANA: The Shining Path
controls key smuggling routes
75
00:06:04,072 --> 00:06:09,327
and has been known to
attack communities to
expand its territory.
76
00:06:09,327 --> 00:06:12,330
That's how the group
makes its money,
extorting growers,
77
00:06:12,330 --> 00:06:16,501
makers and smugglers for
protection or safe passage.
78
00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:40,066
MARIANA: The politics in
the VRAEM are complicated.
79
00:06:40,066 --> 00:06:41,776
(speaking native language)
80
00:06:41,776 --> 00:06:43,778
MARIANA: To fund their fight
against the Shining Path,
81
00:06:43,778 --> 00:06:45,488
and to support
their families,
82
00:06:45,488 --> 00:06:48,533
these farmers sell their coca
harvest and they never ask
83
00:06:48,533 --> 00:06:51,077
questions about the
buyer's intended use.
84
00:06:51,077 --> 00:06:53,121
(man speaking native language)
85
00:07:01,588 --> 00:07:05,175
MARIANA: But the truth is
nearly 94% of coca leaves in
86
00:07:05,175 --> 00:07:08,094
the VRAEM go to
drug traffickers.
87
00:07:11,514 --> 00:07:14,017
Here, the drug trade is
controlled by small family
88
00:07:14,017 --> 00:07:18,063
clans who operate
independently and all of them
89
00:07:18,063 --> 00:07:20,732
are suspicious of outsiders.
90
00:07:21,816 --> 00:07:23,568
When locals see a
bunch of gringos,
91
00:07:23,568 --> 00:07:25,862
they think we're
American law enforcement.
92
00:07:25,862 --> 00:07:28,907
That's why I'm leaning on
Ceviche to help me get access
93
00:07:28,907 --> 00:07:31,117
to the next step
in the process.
94
00:08:03,149 --> 00:08:07,237
MARIANA: Turns out that one of
Ceviche's former passengers is
95
00:08:07,237 --> 00:08:10,115
still active in
the cocaine trade.
96
00:08:10,782 --> 00:08:14,369
He's part of a family clan
that buys coca leaves and
97
00:08:14,369 --> 00:08:16,955
processes them
into cocaine paste.
98
00:08:27,382 --> 00:08:31,386
MARIANA: His contact
agreed to meet but gave us
very little information,
99
00:08:31,386 --> 00:08:33,847
we were told to take the
one road out of town
100
00:08:33,847 --> 00:08:35,932
and wait for further
instructions.
101
00:08:42,981 --> 00:08:47,110
So, we're driving for
an hour up the mountain
in these dirt roads,
102
00:08:47,110 --> 00:08:49,779
we're headed
to meet the dueño,
103
00:08:49,779 --> 00:08:53,825
the owner of a drug operation
who's given us the green light
104
00:08:53,825 --> 00:08:55,952
to film his lab in the jungle.
105
00:08:58,580 --> 00:09:00,915
All I know is that I've been
promised to see the place
106
00:09:00,915 --> 00:09:06,004
where cocaine begins its
3,000‐mile journey to the US.
107
00:09:06,004 --> 00:09:09,966
But for now, everyone is just
nervous about getting there.
108
00:09:09,966 --> 00:09:12,969
We've been told that every
time a car approaches or we go
109
00:09:12,969 --> 00:09:15,430
through these towns that have
lights that we should hide our
110
00:09:15,430 --> 00:09:17,974
faces because they
don't want to see,
you know,
111
00:09:17,974 --> 00:09:20,894
any gringos in this
area because it would
raise suspicions.
112
00:09:22,812 --> 00:09:24,814
This area is quite dangerous.
113
00:09:26,274 --> 00:09:30,320
Even though we've
gotten permission to
see this cocaine lab,
114
00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:33,156
to get there we have to
pass through land controlled
115
00:09:33,156 --> 00:09:37,160
by other clans and militias
who have no idea who we are
116
00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:38,912
or what we're up to.
117
00:09:45,919 --> 00:09:47,504
MARIANA: So, I'm
a little startled,
118
00:09:47,504 --> 00:09:49,839
when in the middle
of a deserted road.
119
00:09:49,839 --> 00:09:51,299
Uh, in the pitch dark.
120
00:09:51,299 --> 00:09:54,636
A man suddenly appears
out of the darkness.
121
00:09:54,636 --> 00:09:56,721
I'm trying to figure
out who this guy is.
122
00:10:08,149 --> 00:10:11,569
MARIANA: The chemist,
the key figure in the
whole operation,
123
00:10:11,569 --> 00:10:14,948
was standing on a mountain road,
in the pitch dark.
124
00:10:14,948 --> 00:10:18,493
Sometimes you can't
make this stuff up.
125
00:10:18,493 --> 00:10:20,203
So, they're checking the
area to make sure that
126
00:10:20,203 --> 00:10:21,996
everything is safe.
127
00:10:24,290 --> 00:10:25,917
MARIANA: Okay, shut
off all lights.
128
00:10:25,917 --> 00:10:28,878
And here it is, the
entry into the jungle.
129
00:10:43,143 --> 00:10:46,020
MARIANA: He's saying that
the town that's close by
and if they see us,
130
00:10:46,020 --> 00:10:48,398
it can create problems
to all of us.
131
00:10:48,398 --> 00:10:52,569
These labs are the
economic engines for
the local communities,
132
00:10:52,569 --> 00:10:54,279
without them,
there would be little
133
00:10:54,279 --> 00:10:55,947
demand for coca leaves.
134
00:10:55,947 --> 00:10:58,783
That's why villagers
are so protective.
135
00:10:58,783 --> 00:11:01,911
We're basically a threat
to their livelihood.
136
00:11:05,373 --> 00:11:07,083
The chemist has made me
promise that I won't
137
00:11:07,083 --> 00:11:08,877
reveal the location.
138
00:11:08,877 --> 00:11:11,546
I told him it's not a problem.
139
00:11:11,546 --> 00:11:13,923
I can barely see my own feet.
140
00:11:16,885 --> 00:11:18,761
I can't see (bleep),
I can't see (bleep).
141
00:11:33,610 --> 00:11:34,944
Wow. This is it.
142
00:11:34,944 --> 00:11:36,446
It's right here.
143
00:11:36,446 --> 00:11:38,198
Wow.
144
00:11:44,829 --> 00:11:49,250
♪ ♪
145
00:12:00,595 --> 00:12:03,264
MARIANA: I'm not gonna lie,
it's always a rush getting
146
00:12:03,264 --> 00:12:06,226
access to these
clandestine worlds.
147
00:12:06,226 --> 00:12:10,063
The cocaine pit,
the starting point
for such a storied,
148
00:12:10,063 --> 00:12:12,857
black market trade,
ranks up there.
149
00:12:14,150 --> 00:12:16,319
But as the reporter
high wears off,
150
00:12:16,319 --> 00:12:19,447
I realize that the whole
process boils down to brute
151
00:12:19,447 --> 00:12:21,824
labor and simple chemistry.
152
00:12:25,787 --> 00:12:26,996
(speaking native language)
153
00:12:26,996 --> 00:12:27,997
So, they've been doing
this for three days.
154
00:12:27,997 --> 00:12:29,624
And now this is
the final step,
155
00:12:29,624 --> 00:12:31,334
which they mix it with salt.
156
00:12:31,334 --> 00:12:36,673
It takes 400 kilos,
almost 900 pounds of
coca leaves to make
157
00:12:36,673 --> 00:12:39,259
one kilo of cocaine.
158
00:12:39,259 --> 00:12:41,928
They're soaked in water,
acid, and bleach,
159
00:12:41,928 --> 00:12:44,847
which draws the drugs
out of the leaves.
160
00:12:44,847 --> 00:12:47,225
And now it's ready to be moved
on to smaller containers
161
00:12:47,225 --> 00:12:48,268
to the lab.
162
00:12:53,356 --> 00:12:57,443
♪ ♪
163
00:13:04,826 --> 00:13:06,786
Here in this makeshift lab,
164
00:13:06,786 --> 00:13:09,205
they'll start the
purification process.
165
00:13:14,294 --> 00:13:15,461
MAN: Uh‐huh.
166
00:13:17,046 --> 00:13:18,881
MARIANA: Researchers
discovered how to extract
167
00:13:18,881 --> 00:13:23,177
cocaine from coca leaves
over 150 years ago.
168
00:13:23,177 --> 00:13:26,889
And Americans got their first
taste of the drug in Coca‐Cola
169
00:13:26,889 --> 00:13:29,017
back in the 19th Century.
170
00:13:29,017 --> 00:13:32,937
Before it was banned by the
federal government in 1914.
171
00:13:34,772 --> 00:13:36,274
It's a really,
really intense smell.
172
00:13:39,694 --> 00:13:40,695
MAN: Yes.
173
00:13:40,695 --> 00:13:41,779
(speaking native language)
174
00:13:46,451 --> 00:13:49,120
MARIANA: To purify
cocaine in the middle
of the Peruvian jungle,
175
00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,539
they figured out how
to extract the drug using
176
00:13:51,539 --> 00:13:56,002
simple household chemicals
and a whole lot of gasoline.
177
00:13:56,919 --> 00:14:00,298
In this lab, each batch
requires 70 gallons.
178
00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:16,355
MARIANA: Ammonia, bleach,
cement, lime, gasoline.
179
00:14:16,355 --> 00:14:18,316
With each toxic additive,
180
00:14:18,316 --> 00:14:21,611
the drug becomes more
and more concentrated.
181
00:14:21,611 --> 00:14:24,113
So, what they're doing
is that they're
removing the top of it,
182
00:14:24,113 --> 00:14:25,531
which is the fuel.
183
00:14:25,531 --> 00:14:27,492
And the bottom is a clear
sort of liquid and
184
00:14:27,492 --> 00:14:28,951
that's where the drugs remain.
185
00:14:28,951 --> 00:14:31,245
You see it's pretty dark.
186
00:14:31,245 --> 00:14:33,289
And that's all the gasoline.
187
00:14:33,289 --> 00:14:35,875
And the clear part underneath.
188
00:14:40,546 --> 00:14:43,007
MARIANA: So, yeah, that's
the drugs right there.
189
00:14:43,007 --> 00:14:45,927
So, they call that clear liquid,
they call it the soup.
190
00:14:53,601 --> 00:14:54,727
MARIANA: No, thanks.
191
00:14:54,727 --> 00:14:56,270
He asked me if I
wanted to try it.
192
00:14:56,270 --> 00:14:57,855
I said no.
193
00:15:07,657 --> 00:15:10,493
Ooh, check this out.
This is amazing.
194
00:15:10,493 --> 00:15:14,163
It's crazy to think that only
weeks from now this jungle
195
00:15:14,163 --> 00:15:18,000
soup will disappear up
some American's nostrils.
196
00:15:19,502 --> 00:15:21,629
Now it's time for
the final step.
197
00:15:21,629 --> 00:15:24,924
A splash of ammonia
to solidify the drugs.
198
00:15:28,219 --> 00:15:30,304
MARIANA: Okay, they
have to speed it,
199
00:15:30,304 --> 00:15:31,889
we have to speed it up, guys.
200
00:15:31,889 --> 00:15:34,767
With so many livelihoods
depending on this lab,
201
00:15:34,767 --> 00:15:38,354
Ceviche's friend is taking a
massive risk giving us a peek
202
00:15:38,354 --> 00:15:40,148
behind the curtain.
203
00:15:40,148 --> 00:15:42,441
So when the chemist
disappears for a moment,
204
00:15:42,441 --> 00:15:43,651
I begin to worry.
205
00:15:56,497 --> 00:15:57,832
MARIANA: Hey guys, we
have to go right now.
MAN: Okay.
206
00:16:00,918 --> 00:16:02,170
(speaking native language)
207
00:16:06,507 --> 00:16:08,593
MARIANA: Let's go, let's go.
208
00:16:08,593 --> 00:16:12,013
Okay, so we were spotted
by somebody up on the road.
209
00:16:12,013 --> 00:16:14,223
They said we have to get to
the car and get out of here.
210
00:16:16,184 --> 00:16:18,978
Okay.
We have to go fast.
211
00:16:20,938 --> 00:16:22,106
(speaking native language)
212
00:16:22,106 --> 00:16:23,357
MARIANA: No, no, no.
213
00:16:23,357 --> 00:16:24,400
(speaking native language)
214
00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:25,985
Are they all inside?
215
00:16:36,454 --> 00:16:39,874
Thankfully, we escaped
without incident,
216
00:16:39,874 --> 00:16:43,294
but the drug's long journey
north is only just beginning.
217
00:16:48,507 --> 00:16:50,718
It's a new day in the VRAEM.
218
00:16:50,718 --> 00:16:55,223
Last night's coca paste
has hardened into bricks.
219
00:16:56,891 --> 00:16:58,976
The next challenge?
220
00:16:58,976 --> 00:17:00,853
Getting them out
of the valley.
221
00:17:01,604 --> 00:17:04,440
The easiest way
would be by plane.
222
00:17:07,318 --> 00:17:10,404
But the Peruvian Military now
has permission to shoot down
223
00:17:10,404 --> 00:17:12,365
suspected drug flights.
224
00:17:16,285 --> 00:17:18,537
Driving the coke
out would also work,
225
00:17:18,537 --> 00:17:21,457
but the roads here
are littered with
police checkpoints.
226
00:17:24,585 --> 00:17:27,630
So that's given way to the
preferred method of transport,
227
00:17:27,630 --> 00:17:30,508
in a backpack.
228
00:17:33,052 --> 00:17:36,514
The same guys who ran the lab
ask us to meet them outside of
229
00:17:36,514 --> 00:17:39,725
town at a trail head that
leads up into the Andes.
230
00:17:39,725 --> 00:17:43,062
Copy that, we're, uh,
we're following the convoy,
231
00:17:43,062 --> 00:17:45,398
we're right behind
the other two cars.
232
00:17:46,857 --> 00:17:48,276
(speaking native language)
233
00:17:48,276 --> 00:17:50,027
Okay.
We're here.
234
00:17:50,027 --> 00:17:53,698
Okay.
Take my headlamp out.
235
00:17:56,242 --> 00:17:58,369
They're known as "mochileros",
236
00:17:58,369 --> 00:18:00,871
the Spanish word
for backpacker.
237
00:18:00,871 --> 00:18:04,750
Their backpacks are filled
with bricks and powder.
238
00:18:04,750 --> 00:18:08,379
They are the sherpas
of the cocaine world.
239
00:18:08,379 --> 00:18:11,132
I was surprised to learn that
the chemist from last night
240
00:18:11,132 --> 00:18:13,217
is also a mochilero.
241
00:18:25,187 --> 00:18:27,982
MARIANA: The elevation,
more than 6,000 feet
242
00:18:27,982 --> 00:18:30,735
and I can feel it.
243
00:18:30,735 --> 00:18:34,405
Just started like 15 minutes
ago and I'm already exhausted.
244
00:18:34,405 --> 00:18:37,450
And I'm not carrying
ten kilos on my back.
245
00:19:12,318 --> 00:19:17,823
MARIANA: Rival clans,
corrupt cops, thieves
of all kinds,
246
00:19:17,823 --> 00:19:21,452
it's the wild west
out on the trails.
247
00:19:24,538 --> 00:19:27,583
I asked what would happen
if they get attacked.
248
00:19:39,136 --> 00:19:41,972
♪ ♪
249
00:19:47,645 --> 00:19:51,732
♪ ♪
250
00:19:53,776 --> 00:19:55,945
MARIANA: I'm following the
"cocaine highway" from the
251
00:19:55,945 --> 00:19:59,615
mountains of Peru to
the nightclubs of Miami.
252
00:19:59,615 --> 00:20:03,202
It's 4:00 AM and I'm embedded
with a group of young men
253
00:20:03,202 --> 00:20:08,833
risking their lives to hike 30
kilos out of the VRAEM Valley.
254
00:20:09,333 --> 00:20:10,710
So, this is the main
stuff they take.
255
00:20:10,710 --> 00:20:13,045
A can of tuna.
Saltines.
256
00:20:13,045 --> 00:20:17,133
They have a plastic that
they use to cover themselves
in case it rains.
257
00:20:17,133 --> 00:20:20,386
And then alcohol,
which they say helps
with altitude sickness
258
00:20:20,386 --> 00:20:22,847
because they're going
high up the mountain.
259
00:20:24,807 --> 00:20:26,892
So, this here is worth $900.
260
00:20:26,892 --> 00:20:30,354
Each kilo, in the US
once it's processed,
261
00:20:30,354 --> 00:20:32,064
it's worth $25,000.
262
00:20:40,239 --> 00:20:42,491
MARIANA: That means these
guys are carrying about
263
00:20:42,491 --> 00:20:46,704
$750,000 worth of raw cocaine.
264
00:20:58,883 --> 00:21:00,843
MARIANA: Peruvian
cocaine paste.
265
00:21:00,843 --> 00:21:03,429
Some of the most
sought‐after in the world.
266
00:21:03,429 --> 00:21:06,891
The same bricks that Escobar
would fly into Colombia to
267
00:21:06,891 --> 00:21:08,601
process into powder.
268
00:21:15,691 --> 00:21:17,026
MARIANA: Gracias.
269
00:21:18,569 --> 00:21:20,696
It looks so unassuming.
270
00:21:20,696 --> 00:21:24,992
It's hard to imagine the trail
of violence left in its wake.
271
00:22:11,622 --> 00:22:12,832
(speaking native language)
272
00:22:57,334 --> 00:23:00,921
Okay. They're
getting anxious
about leaving.
273
00:23:00,921 --> 00:23:04,717
Watching these young men pack,
I'm feeling conflicted.
274
00:23:04,717 --> 00:23:07,136
I know what they're
doing is illegal,
275
00:23:07,136 --> 00:23:09,555
and that the drug they're
carrying has caused millions
276
00:23:09,555 --> 00:23:12,349
of families around
the world to suffer.
277
00:23:12,349 --> 00:23:14,476
But after spending
two days with them,
278
00:23:14,476 --> 00:23:18,188
I can't help but be
concerned for their safety.
279
00:23:18,188 --> 00:23:22,860
They're just kids,
only a few years older
than my own son.
280
00:23:23,777 --> 00:23:26,280
It seems so unfair that the
lack of options in the VRAEM
281
00:23:26,280 --> 00:23:30,451
means they have to risk their
lives just so Americans can
282
00:23:30,451 --> 00:23:31,911
get their cheap high.
283
00:23:35,915 --> 00:23:37,708
So, they said they're gonna
walk for 12 more hours,
284
00:23:37,708 --> 00:23:40,669
and then, uh, and then
rest and then continue for
285
00:23:40,669 --> 00:23:42,004
a day and a half more.
286
00:23:46,008 --> 00:23:47,468
MARIANA: Okay.
287
00:23:47,468 --> 00:23:50,095
We make plans to meet up at
the end of their journey,
288
00:23:50,095 --> 00:23:52,431
but I'm worried.
289
00:23:52,431 --> 00:23:54,975
Anything could
happen on the trail.
290
00:24:02,733 --> 00:24:06,195
MARIANA: As the mochileros
rise out of the valley,
291
00:24:06,195 --> 00:24:10,449
the price of cocaine
rises as well.
292
00:24:10,449 --> 00:24:15,079
Theirs is just the
first leg of a global
distribution network.
293
00:24:15,079 --> 00:24:18,207
If the mochileros
survive the hike,
294
00:24:18,207 --> 00:24:21,418
they will sell to a new owner,
who will smuggle the drugs
295
00:24:21,418 --> 00:24:24,964
by car into Lima and
then head north.
296
00:24:26,382 --> 00:24:29,718
Each time the drugs change
hands the price jumps.
297
00:24:30,552 --> 00:24:34,223
Smugglers must account
for the real cost of
transport and the risk.
298
00:24:35,224 --> 00:24:37,851
Plus, each will take their
share of the profits.
299
00:24:38,852 --> 00:24:41,897
Eventually, the cocaine passes
through Ecuador to Colombia,
300
00:24:41,897 --> 00:24:43,524
my next stop.
301
00:24:50,364 --> 00:24:53,826
(speaking native language)
302
00:24:53,826 --> 00:24:55,369
MARIANA: At first glance,
303
00:24:55,369 --> 00:24:58,872
Turbo looks like any other
Caribbean fishing town.
304
00:25:00,124 --> 00:25:03,335
But just beneath the surface
305
00:25:08,882 --> 00:25:10,300
is another reality.
306
00:25:45,919 --> 00:25:48,797
MARIANA: Oliver Schmeig is a
German photojournalist who's
307
00:25:48,797 --> 00:25:52,342
spent decades in Colombia
documenting the drug trade.
308
00:26:20,746 --> 00:26:22,164
MARIANA: What are the chances
we could see one of these
309
00:26:22,164 --> 00:26:24,124
boats or even ride
in one of them?
310
00:26:37,429 --> 00:26:40,057
MARIANA: Oliver works his
contacts and directs me to
311
00:26:40,057 --> 00:26:43,018
a dock on the edge of town,
which I'm not allowed
312
00:26:43,018 --> 00:26:44,853
to show on camera.
313
00:26:44,853 --> 00:26:46,230
But just as he promised,
314
00:26:46,230 --> 00:26:49,525
I'm met by two cocaine
smugglers in a boat.
315
00:27:04,832 --> 00:27:06,291
(engine starts)
316
00:27:24,434 --> 00:27:27,062
MARIANA: Today, the
boats are empty of cargo.
317
00:27:27,062 --> 00:27:29,439
The smugglers agree to
talk about their work,
318
00:27:29,439 --> 00:27:31,817
but they won't let
me near the product.
319
00:27:31,817 --> 00:27:34,695
The multimillion‐dollar
payloads they move are too
320
00:27:34,695 --> 00:27:38,532
valuable to risk showing them
off to foreign journalists.
321
00:28:13,275 --> 00:28:16,278
MARIANA: Smugglers use these
low‐tech fiberglass boats to
322
00:28:16,278 --> 00:28:19,781
outmaneuver the Colombian
Military and its ally,
323
00:28:19,781 --> 00:28:21,491
the US Coast Guard.
324
00:28:21,491 --> 00:28:24,745
Radar waves,
which easily
detect metals,
325
00:28:24,745 --> 00:28:28,916
can only get an extremely
weak signal off fiberglass,
326
00:28:28,916 --> 00:28:32,002
making boats like this
practically invisible.
327
00:29:41,738 --> 00:29:43,573
MARIANA: Okay.
There's a boat over there.
328
00:29:46,326 --> 00:29:47,703
MARIANA: Okay.
It's a fisherman.
329
00:29:47,703 --> 00:29:48,912
But they were saying before
that if anything, uh,
330
00:29:48,912 --> 00:29:51,581
if any boat approaches,
that they, uh,
331
00:29:51,581 --> 00:29:53,667
immediately take off
their masks and we
put the cameras down.
332
00:29:53,667 --> 00:29:55,711
And we just say we're
doing a show about tourism.
333
00:29:57,587 --> 00:29:58,755
MARIANA: Okay.
They're not feeling
very comfortable.
334
00:30:06,346 --> 00:30:08,473
MARIANA: Okay. They're going
to take off their masks.
335
00:30:12,728 --> 00:30:15,522
♪ ♪
336
00:30:26,950 --> 00:30:29,536
MARIANA: I'm in a boat off
the coast of Colombia with
337
00:30:29,536 --> 00:30:32,539
two very nervous
cocaine smugglers.
338
00:30:32,539 --> 00:30:35,959
They were spooked by some
passing fisherman so they're
339
00:30:35,959 --> 00:30:41,048
taking me into deeper
waters where they say
it's safer to speak.
340
00:30:41,048 --> 00:30:43,341
So, he was saying that
all these fishermen,
341
00:30:43,341 --> 00:30:45,761
everyone here basically,
works for the clan.
342
00:30:45,761 --> 00:30:48,263
So, if they see
him talking to us,
343
00:30:48,263 --> 00:30:50,891
they'll go inform and that
could be dangerous for them.
344
00:31:04,654 --> 00:31:07,157
(speaking native language)
345
00:31:07,908 --> 00:31:11,411
MARIANA: The Clan del Golfo
is Colombia's largest and most
346
00:31:11,411 --> 00:31:14,956
powerful drug cartel,
made up of mostly hardened
347
00:31:14,956 --> 00:31:18,418
paramilitary fighters
and wanted war criminals.
348
00:31:18,877 --> 00:31:20,754
How violent exactly
is the Clan del Golfo?
349
00:31:38,647 --> 00:31:39,898
MARIANA: Wow.
350
00:31:42,526 --> 00:31:46,738
I know that getting access
to cartel leadership is a
bigger ask.
351
00:31:46,738 --> 00:31:50,617
For days, it didn't
look like it was going
to happen and then,
352
00:31:50,617 --> 00:31:53,537
out of nowhere,
we got the green light.
353
00:31:53,537 --> 00:31:56,164
We just made the first right,
guys.
354
00:31:56,164 --> 00:31:57,999
We're all together, let's go.
355
00:31:59,543 --> 00:32:02,838
In the car ahead of us is one
of the Clan del Golfo's top
356
00:32:02,838 --> 00:32:05,298
commanders in this region.
357
00:32:05,298 --> 00:32:08,635
We have no idea where
we're going but we're
following the commander.
358
00:32:11,972 --> 00:32:13,682
So, there are a couple of, uh.
359
00:32:14,349 --> 00:32:16,184
(speaking native language)
360
00:32:16,601 --> 00:32:18,854
MARIANA: Soldiers
right up here.
361
00:32:18,854 --> 00:32:21,064
And there's a cop
up there, too?
362
00:32:21,064 --> 00:32:23,066
Okay, what the (bleep)?
363
00:32:23,066 --> 00:32:25,026
(speaking native language)
364
00:32:25,026 --> 00:32:27,445
MAN: No.
MARIANA: Okay.
365
00:32:28,738 --> 00:32:30,740
But with the
military everywhere,
366
00:32:30,740 --> 00:32:32,826
we're all a bit on edge.
367
00:32:32,826 --> 00:32:33,827
OLIVER: Let's try to get
in very quickly here.
368
00:32:33,827 --> 00:32:34,911
MARIANA: Okay.
369
00:32:34,911 --> 00:32:36,121
(speaking native language)
370
00:32:36,121 --> 00:32:37,414
OLIVER: Please.
371
00:32:37,414 --> 00:32:40,208
MARIANA: This is it.
It's a little ranch house.
372
00:32:40,208 --> 00:32:41,543
Okay.
373
00:32:45,964 --> 00:32:48,341
One, two.
Can you hear me?
374
00:32:48,341 --> 00:32:49,467
One, two, three, four, five.
375
00:32:49,467 --> 00:32:50,719
MAN: Yes, ma'am. Okay.
MAN: Okay.
376
00:32:56,683 --> 00:32:59,895
MARIANA: Even though
the commander and his
bodyguard trust Oliver,
377
00:32:59,895 --> 00:33:02,772
this is the first time we've
met and they're skeptical.
378
00:33:12,574 --> 00:33:15,202
I show him some photos of my
past work and hope that will
379
00:33:15,202 --> 00:33:17,746
convince him that I'm
not law enforcement.
380
00:33:19,915 --> 00:33:21,708
(speaking native language)
381
00:33:21,708 --> 00:33:23,835
MARIANA: They eventually
agree to the interview.
382
00:33:23,835 --> 00:33:25,587
Okay.
383
00:33:47,234 --> 00:33:48,985
MARIANA: In the
traditional business world,
384
00:33:48,985 --> 00:33:52,656
he might be considered
a VP of operations.
385
00:33:52,656 --> 00:33:55,533
He's helping to
manage a complicated,
386
00:33:55,533 --> 00:33:59,204
global criminal network
out of a farmhouse in the
387
00:33:59,204 --> 00:34:00,830
Colombian countryside.
388
00:34:17,597 --> 00:34:20,100
MARIANA: That's a weekly
shipment of cocaine worth
389
00:34:20,100 --> 00:34:24,020
$25 million on the
streets of Miami.
390
00:34:38,285 --> 00:34:41,037
MARIANA: The Clan del Golfo's
top commander, Otoniel,
391
00:34:41,037 --> 00:34:43,415
is Colombia's public
enemy number one,
392
00:34:43,415 --> 00:34:46,001
with a $5‐million
bounty on his head.
393
00:34:46,001 --> 00:34:48,461
He's notorious for
assassinating government
394
00:34:48,461 --> 00:34:52,090
officials and ordering the
detonation of a grenade in the
395
00:34:52,090 --> 00:34:53,633
middle of a night club.
396
00:34:53,633 --> 00:34:55,218
(shouting)
397
00:34:55,218 --> 00:34:58,013
He demands complete
loyalty from his soldiers.
398
00:34:58,597 --> 00:35:02,350
(speaking native language)
399
00:35:18,450 --> 00:35:21,036
MARIANA: As we talk,
I begin to realize that,
400
00:35:21,036 --> 00:35:23,538
even when you're near the
top of the cartel food chain,
401
00:35:23,538 --> 00:35:26,291
safety is no guarantee.
402
00:36:39,239 --> 00:36:40,824
MARIANA: In the
last few years,
403
00:36:40,824 --> 00:36:44,536
cocaine trafficking in
Colombia has reached
record levels.
404
00:36:46,329 --> 00:36:47,914
From what these men tell me,
405
00:36:47,914 --> 00:36:51,543
this rise has been
anything but glamorous.
406
00:36:54,254 --> 00:36:57,632
Yet the country is the
distribution center for the
407
00:36:57,632 --> 00:37:00,260
global cocaine trade.
408
00:37:00,260 --> 00:37:03,513
From here, roughly half the
supply is shipped to Europe,
409
00:37:03,513 --> 00:37:05,849
Africa, Asia,
and Australia.
410
00:37:06,933 --> 00:37:09,686
The other half will end
up in the United States.
411
00:37:13,857 --> 00:37:16,568
That's if smugglers
can evade these guys.
412
00:37:20,405 --> 00:37:21,865
(radio chatter)
413
00:37:21,865 --> 00:37:23,450
MAN: Six yards.
414
00:37:23,450 --> 00:37:25,952
MAN: We just spotted a
northbound vessel heading
415
00:37:25,952 --> 00:37:29,622
from the South in a known
drug trafficking area.
416
00:37:29,622 --> 00:37:32,959
Usually with a vessel that,
that size, over 40 feet,
417
00:37:32,959 --> 00:37:36,045
has cabins, spaces that
you could actually hide
418
00:37:36,045 --> 00:37:38,173
large amount of narcotics.
419
00:37:39,340 --> 00:37:42,510
We're gonna board a
vessel that is suspected
of narcotics smuggling.
420
00:37:42,510 --> 00:37:44,095
You're going to
encounter a master.
421
00:37:44,095 --> 00:37:45,597
He may or may not be armed.
422
00:37:45,597 --> 00:37:48,683
Watch out for each other, do
your job, gain compliance,
423
00:37:48,683 --> 00:37:50,894
however,
means necessary.
424
00:37:54,147 --> 00:37:55,857
MARIANA: In the
last five years,
425
00:37:55,857 --> 00:37:59,486
the US Coast Guard has
seized a record amount
of cocaine at sea.
426
00:37:59,486 --> 00:38:03,156
MAN: We're here today to
offload 14,200 pounds.
427
00:38:03,156 --> 00:38:04,783
MAN: 11 tons.
MAN: 20 metric tons.
428
00:38:04,783 --> 00:38:09,078
MAN: Of pure uncut cocaine.
MAN: Worth over $190 million.
429
00:38:09,078 --> 00:38:10,413
MAN (over loudspeaker):
Hands up! Hands up!
430
00:38:10,413 --> 00:38:11,623
Put your hands up.
431
00:38:11,623 --> 00:38:14,709
(speaking native language)
432
00:38:16,503 --> 00:38:18,880
(speaking native language)
433
00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:21,174
MAN: The drug trafficking
organizations are creative and
434
00:38:21,174 --> 00:38:23,384
they're always looking for
ways to elude detection.
435
00:38:23,384 --> 00:38:26,721
That could be a go‐fast vessel
that could be a low‐profile
436
00:38:26,721 --> 00:38:28,765
vessel that can be
a semi‐submersible.
437
00:38:28,765 --> 00:38:30,058
(speaking native language)
438
00:38:30,058 --> 00:38:31,226
MAN: That could be a
fully submersible,
439
00:38:31,226 --> 00:38:32,644
that could be legitimate
commercial traffic.
440
00:38:33,561 --> 00:38:35,396
MAN: Get the vessel,
starboard bow.
441
00:38:35,396 --> 00:38:37,440
We're gonna scramble the
boarding team together,
442
00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:40,401
get them on the small boat,
to go over and investigate,
443
00:38:40,401 --> 00:38:42,195
see what's going on.
444
00:38:42,195 --> 00:38:44,823
Just not enough to figure
out what's actually
physically going on,
445
00:38:44,823 --> 00:38:47,784
until you put
boots on deck.
446
00:38:48,993 --> 00:38:51,246
MARIANA: The most dangerous
part of an officer's job,
447
00:38:51,246 --> 00:38:54,415
when they board what they
suspect is a drug‐running boat.
448
00:38:55,083 --> 00:38:57,418
MAN (over radio): Reports
now show that there are
packages on deck.
449
00:38:57,418 --> 00:38:59,337
MAN (over radio):
All good, go.
450
00:39:00,588 --> 00:39:03,967
MARIANA: Smugglers in
this situation have a
difficult choice.
451
00:39:03,967 --> 00:39:09,097
Abandon their cargo and face
the cartel's wrath or try to
452
00:39:09,097 --> 00:39:12,517
outrun the red,
white, and blue.
453
00:39:12,517 --> 00:39:14,978
MAN: US Coast Guard,
let me see your hands!
454
00:39:21,317 --> 00:39:23,862
♪ ♪
455
00:39:27,073 --> 00:39:28,741
MAN: Uh, without
reaching or touching,
456
00:39:28,741 --> 00:39:30,326
you got any weapons onboard?
457
00:39:30,326 --> 00:39:32,161
All right, we're
gonna come onboard and, uh,
458
00:39:32,161 --> 00:39:33,955
do an inspection
of your vessel,
459
00:39:33,955 --> 00:39:35,456
make sure you guys are in
compliance with all
460
00:39:35,456 --> 00:39:37,876
Federal rules and regulations
for a vessel of this size.
461
00:39:37,876 --> 00:39:42,088
MARIANA: 141 miles from Miami,
the coast guard intercepted a
462
00:39:42,088 --> 00:39:43,673
suspected smuggling boat.
463
00:39:43,673 --> 00:39:46,843
WOMAN (over radio): 40
is 006, 10, two, zero.
464
00:39:46,843 --> 00:39:49,429
MAN: Uh, the more traditional
drug smuggling routes in the
465
00:39:49,429 --> 00:39:51,639
Caribbean are having
an uptick in activity.
466
00:39:51,639 --> 00:39:54,434
You have nonstop boat traffic.
467
00:39:54,434 --> 00:39:56,269
And some of them could
be legitimately fishing,
468
00:39:56,269 --> 00:39:58,688
but also have drugs
hidden onboard.
469
00:39:58,688 --> 00:40:04,152
MARIANA: Cocaine
accounts for 94% of all
narcotics seized at sea.
470
00:40:04,152 --> 00:40:05,653
MAN: After the boarding,
we discovered that the
471
00:40:05,653 --> 00:40:09,240
vessel was a charter for hire
just in a suspicious area.
472
00:40:09,240 --> 00:40:12,118
Everybody on board was
compliant, and it's,
you know,
473
00:40:12,118 --> 00:40:14,287
the best outcome you could
have in a situation, uh,
474
00:40:14,287 --> 00:40:15,496
when you're talking
about safety.
475
00:40:16,497 --> 00:40:18,166
MARIANA: No drugs are found.
476
00:40:18,166 --> 00:40:20,126
The coast guard moves on.
477
00:40:20,126 --> 00:40:23,504
Catching drug runners on the
high seas is an elusive game
478
00:40:23,504 --> 00:40:25,048
of cat and mouse.
479
00:40:25,048 --> 00:40:27,133
MAN: We're operating in
an area larger than the
480
00:40:27,133 --> 00:40:28,676
continental United States.
481
00:40:28,676 --> 00:40:31,471
Now imagine you have three or
four police cars patrolling
482
00:40:31,471 --> 00:40:32,931
the continental United States.
483
00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:34,515
That's essentially
what the Coast Guard,
484
00:40:34,515 --> 00:40:36,768
with our ships,
is doing.
485
00:40:38,353 --> 00:40:41,481
MAN: The busts out here, it's,
it's just pivotal before those
486
00:40:41,481 --> 00:40:43,566
drugs make it towards the US
487
00:40:43,566 --> 00:40:46,444
and can be dispersed
throughout the
different states.
488
00:40:46,444 --> 00:40:48,696
MARIANA: With such a
large area to patrol,
489
00:40:48,696 --> 00:40:51,074
it's impossible
to catch them all.
490
00:40:51,074 --> 00:40:53,159
MAN: In all the efforts,
everyday doing the mission,
491
00:40:53,159 --> 00:40:57,538
we only get 10% of known drugs
that are being moved towards
492
00:40:57,538 --> 00:40:59,123
the United States.
493
00:40:59,123 --> 00:41:02,502
MARIANA: The remaining 90% of
cocaine slips past undetected,
494
00:41:02,502 --> 00:41:06,172
heading to Miami under
the cover of darkness.
495
00:41:13,096 --> 00:41:16,224
40 years after cocaine
built this skyline,
496
00:41:16,224 --> 00:41:19,268
the drug money is
still pouring in.
497
00:41:22,522 --> 00:41:26,567
This convertible is a tribute
to my childhood crushes,
498
00:41:26,567 --> 00:41:28,569
Crockett and Tubbs.
499
00:41:28,569 --> 00:41:32,031
As I cruise towards south
beach to meet a coke dealer,
500
00:41:32,031 --> 00:41:35,994
I'm actually thinking
back to the final
episode of Miami Vice,
501
00:41:35,994 --> 00:41:38,705
when they decide to turn
in their badges because they
502
00:41:38,705 --> 00:41:42,250
realize that the war
on drugs is unwinnable.
503
00:41:43,376 --> 00:41:45,878
After 3,000 miles on
the cocaine highway,
504
00:41:45,878 --> 00:41:49,882
I'd be lying if I said I
didn't wonder the same.
505
00:41:56,014 --> 00:41:57,849
Do you have some of the
stuff you sell with you?
506
00:41:57,849 --> 00:41:59,100
MAN: Yeah, I have some here.
507
00:41:59,100 --> 00:42:00,309
MARIANA: You have
some in your pocket?
508
00:42:00,309 --> 00:42:02,937
MAN: Yeah. I brought a
couple bags with me.
509
00:42:02,937 --> 00:42:05,815
Just looks like regular powder,
just a couple bags,
510
00:42:05,815 --> 00:42:08,359
and keep them there, you know.
511
00:42:08,359 --> 00:42:10,737
MARIANA: So it looks
like a cigar case.
512
00:42:10,737 --> 00:42:12,989
MAN: Yeah, for sure.
That's what I keep it in.
513
00:42:12,989 --> 00:42:15,658
You know, it's a little
more inconspicuous.
514
00:42:19,037 --> 00:42:22,707
The way I make most
of my money is, like,
$20 bags.
515
00:42:22,707 --> 00:42:24,292
MARIANA: Uh‐hmm.
516
00:42:24,292 --> 00:42:26,044
MAN: I come down to
South Beach and I sell
a $20 bag for
517
00:42:26,044 --> 00:42:29,839
$40 and just multiply, so.
518
00:42:29,839 --> 00:42:34,635
On a good day, I'll
get two ounces, for
about 2,000 bucks.
519
00:42:34,635 --> 00:42:35,970
MARIANA: And if
you sell it all,
520
00:42:35,970 --> 00:42:37,305
how much money can you make?
521
00:42:37,305 --> 00:42:39,766
MAN: About 5,000,
almost six.
522
00:42:39,766 --> 00:42:41,601
MARIANA: How long does
it take you to sell that?
523
00:42:41,601 --> 00:42:45,313
MAN: That'll be
gone in three days.
524
00:42:45,313 --> 00:42:47,982
MARIANA: So, you can make
$3,000 in three days,
525
00:42:47,982 --> 00:42:49,358
essentially $1,000 a day.
526
00:42:49,358 --> 00:42:50,943
MAN: Yeah.
Yeah, about that.
527
00:42:50,943 --> 00:42:53,029
MARIANA: Is it pure
cocaine that you sell?
I mean.
528
00:42:53,029 --> 00:42:54,489
MAN: It's all right, yeah.
529
00:42:54,489 --> 00:42:56,240
It'll keep people up for
days at a time, for sure.
530
00:42:59,077 --> 00:43:00,536
South Beach loves it.
531
00:43:00,536 --> 00:43:02,246
In the clubs, everybody,
you know.
532
00:43:02,246 --> 00:43:04,499
South Beach is cocaine.
533
00:43:04,499 --> 00:43:06,918
In this year, this
generation, that's
what everybody wants.
534
00:43:10,379 --> 00:43:12,590
Everybody loves to party,
they come to Miami,
535
00:43:12,590 --> 00:43:15,468
they wanna party
in the party city.
536
00:43:16,469 --> 00:43:18,387
That's what it's all about.
537
00:43:22,183 --> 00:43:23,976
MARIANA: It's just
after midnight,
538
00:43:23,976 --> 00:43:26,604
and the dealer agrees to
let me watch him work,
539
00:43:26,604 --> 00:43:29,857
but only if I
play by his rules.
540
00:43:29,857 --> 00:43:32,193
So, we can't have our
cameras out there,
541
00:43:32,193 --> 00:43:36,030
the only way he'd, he
agreed for us to film
this was just we'd
542
00:43:36,030 --> 00:43:37,824
stay in the car and
we'd film it from here.
543
00:43:40,827 --> 00:43:42,745
How do you go
about selling it?
544
00:43:42,745 --> 00:43:45,081
MAN: You just
gotta be low key.
545
00:43:45,081 --> 00:43:47,625
You gotta be ahead of
your game, you know,
546
00:43:47,625 --> 00:43:51,170
because people try to set you
up with different stuff, yeah.
547
00:43:51,170 --> 00:43:53,172
You gotta be prepared,
for sure.
548
00:43:56,259 --> 00:43:57,927
Sometimes when I deal with
more weight, you know,
549
00:43:57,927 --> 00:43:59,720
I have to bring a pistol
with me, stuff like that,
550
00:43:59,720 --> 00:44:01,722
because people try to rob you.
551
00:44:01,722 --> 00:44:03,141
MARIANA: What
kind do you have?
552
00:44:03,141 --> 00:44:06,352
MAN: A .357 Magnum with
a six‐inch barrel.
553
00:44:06,352 --> 00:44:08,271
It's one of my favorites.
554
00:44:08,271 --> 00:44:10,022
MARIANA: Have you used it?
555
00:44:10,022 --> 00:44:12,024
MAN: No, I wouldn't
wanna comment on that.
556
00:44:13,192 --> 00:44:17,238
MARIANA: Okay, he just
got a phone call
557
00:44:17,238 --> 00:44:20,449
and he's walking somewhere.
558
00:44:22,285 --> 00:44:24,787
Oh, man, the he just
went in there, somewhere.
559
00:44:24,787 --> 00:44:27,165
MAN: I do mostly
everything right now
just with text messages.
560
00:44:27,165 --> 00:44:29,542
I have like a burner phone,
an untraceable phone.
561
00:44:29,542 --> 00:44:33,171
MARIANA: Okay, he's
walking, uh, this way.
562
00:44:33,171 --> 00:44:35,631
So, I'm just gonna check on him,
see what's up.
563
00:44:45,766 --> 00:44:46,976
MARIANA: Right there
inside the pizza place?
564
00:44:49,228 --> 00:44:50,271
MARIANA: You just went into
the bathroom and gave her.
565
00:44:51,105 --> 00:44:51,939
MARIANA: And she gave you
the money, and that was it.
566
00:44:57,570 --> 00:44:58,613
MARIANA: Right.
567
00:45:00,865 --> 00:45:02,658
How many people do you
sell to in a week,
568
00:45:02,658 --> 00:45:04,035
more or less, you think?
569
00:45:04,035 --> 00:45:08,789
MAN: In a week, I'd say,
I mean, 75 people, maybe.
570
00:45:08,789 --> 00:45:10,499
MARIANA: Wow, that's a lot!
571
00:45:10,499 --> 00:45:12,752
MAN: Product sells itself.
572
00:45:16,380 --> 00:45:18,174
MARIANA: Aren't you
afraid of getting caught?
573
00:45:18,174 --> 00:45:20,343
MAN: I mean, now I
am because, yeah,
574
00:45:20,343 --> 00:45:21,802
I have a family and
stuff like that,
575
00:45:21,802 --> 00:45:24,388
but still gotta feed 'em,
you know what I'm saying,
576
00:45:24,388 --> 00:45:27,475
gotta take care of the family,
by any means necessary,
577
00:45:27,475 --> 00:45:28,809
that's all.
578
00:45:28,809 --> 00:45:31,187
It's a small sacrifice, right?
579
00:45:31,187 --> 00:45:33,147
Keep a little bail
money on the side.
580
00:45:33,147 --> 00:45:37,526
Yeah, right, I'm ready,
for whatever happens.
581
00:45:39,612 --> 00:45:42,615
MARIANA: Very few people know
the journey a kilo of cocaine
582
00:45:42,615 --> 00:45:45,534
makes to get to
the United States,
583
00:45:45,534 --> 00:45:49,038
or the hands that it
touches along the way.
584
00:45:54,085 --> 00:45:57,338
But the path it follows from
beginning to end is shaped
585
00:45:57,338 --> 00:45:59,423
by simple economics.
586
00:45:59,423 --> 00:46:03,135
That's as clear on the streets
of Miami as it is on the boats
587
00:46:03,135 --> 00:46:07,181
of Colombia or the
trails of Peru.
588
00:46:07,181 --> 00:46:09,517
Okay, stop.
They're here.
589
00:46:09,517 --> 00:46:13,271
Back in the VRAEM,
the chemist and the
would‐be dentist have
590
00:46:13,271 --> 00:46:15,022
just made their drop.
591
00:46:15,022 --> 00:46:18,401
Another 30 kilos
are headed north.
592
00:47:04,196 --> 00:47:05,489
Captioned by
Cotter Captioning Services.