Ep 4. Cocaine Cocktail
- TV14
- December 4, 2017
In season 1 episode 4 of To Catch a Smuggler: Colombia, entitled "Cocaine Cocktail," viewers follow the efforts of Colombian authorities to stop the flow of cocaine out of the country. The episode begins with a drug bust on a small aircraft that has landed illegally in a remote area of Colombia. The team, led by Detective Alejandra Barrera, finds over 200 kilos of cocaine onboard. With the help of information from an informant, they are able to start piecing together the larger network behind this operation.
The next part of the episode focuses on a different tactic used by drug smugglers: the use of drug mules. Barrera and her team intercept a woman attempting to board a flight to Spain with a large amount of cocaine hidden inside her body. They detain her and bring her to a nearby hospital for a medical examination and extraction of the drugs. This scene provides an inside look at the dangerous and often deadly world of drug mules, who are used by drug traffickers to bypass airport security measures.
The episode then shifts its attention to the port of Buenaventura, which is a key point of exit for narcotics leaving the country. Here, the team works to intercept a shipment of cocaine that has been disguised as cans of tuna. Using intelligence gathered from a confidential informant, they are able to track down the container where the shipment is being held and intercept it before it can leave the port.
Throughout the episode, viewers get a sense of the often dangerous and high-pressure work of the Colombian authorities as they strive to prevent drugs from leaving the country. Detective Barrera discusses the personal risks involved in this line of work, including the constant threat of violence and retaliation from drug traffickers.
Overall, "Cocaine Cocktail" provides an insightful and informative look at the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Colombia. It showcases the innovative tactics and strategies used by the authorities as they work to prevent drugs from entering the global market. Through its engaging and suspenseful storytelling, the episode underscores the importance of international cooperation and awareness in this ongoing struggle.