Activity 9

"Cocaine Cowboys"

Cocaine Cowboys is a documentary recording the aspects of the importation of cocaine during the 1970's and 1980's in Miami, Florida. The cocaine trade superseded the importation of marijuana. The documentary points out that this influx of cocaine imports caused the price of the drug to decrease within the country since the supply was higher, therefore allowing a greater population of users to be able to afford it, known as "blue collar". This correlates directly to what was discussed in class how originally cocaine was used by the rich and elite and was not seen as a social problem until cocaine swept through the urban U.S. in the 1980's.
In this documentary, importers reveal several methods of importing these narcotics. The cocaine was revealed to be imported by boats and in air travel delivery. They also discuss how these illegal transports were carried out by covering up with legalized businesses. Learning this while watching the documentary reminded me of the T.V. show "Sons of Anarchy" and how the club covered up their illegal gun trade business and short lived business with the cartel with legitimate businesses like the porn industry and an escort business. The documentary also points out that these importers had so much money coming in from this illegal trade that they would tie their money up in real estate infrastructure to control their influxes in finances.
The distribution of these narcotics within the U.S. was also explained in the documentary as the importers describe how once in the country, a lot goes into dealing and managing the cocaine. In class we've discussed the book Cocaine Kids and all that goes into networking and selling the drug once it enters into the country and leaves the importers. In addition, the importers in the documentary revealed how apartments/condos are purchased near ports to monitor radio frequencies of imports and the feds who are patrolling this. In class, we also discussed how in Cocaine Kids the market becomes different towards the end of the book with dealers/importers buying up real estate, which relates directly to the documentary. 
Clearly, this influx of cocaine trade caused Miami as a city to experience economic growth. This is due to the increases in legalized businesses that were bought in order to cover up the illegal drug trade, as well as the buildings and real estate being purchased with all the money from the drug trade as well. That is why many affluent businesses closing when the police cracked down on the drug problem and law enforcement picked up. In addition, Miami became a city with increased gang violence as these "Cocaine Cowboys" aspired to run this illegal trade.