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Drug Wars: The Camarena Story

1990, Movie, PG-13, 202 mins

Drug Wars: The Camarena Story: Review

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This TV mini-series may lack the cinematic flair of the critically acclaimed TRAFFIC, but its inside look at a DEA undercover operation packs a wallop. 1984: Although DEA agent Enrique Camarena (Steven Bauer) wins minor skirmishes in the war on drugs, he can’t put drug lords like Caro Quintero (Benicio Del Toro) out of business. After a snitch tips off Camarena about a desert-based marijuana farm, his squad conducts successful raids in Chihuahua, Mexico. Though furious with the local officials he's bribed to keep him out of trouble, Quintero quickly refocuses on undercover agent Camarena, whom he kidnaps and kills. Unaware of the extent of the corruption in the Mexican government and military, Camarena's associate, Harley Steinmetz (Craig T. Nelson), is stonewalled when he attempts to investigate Camarena's disappearance. Steinmetz's superior, Jack Lawn (Raymond J. Barry), explains the facts of political life to him; President Reagan needs Mexico’s cooperation in the United States' Central American campaign. Additionally, US banks would suffer losses from Mexican loan defaults caused any kind of drug-related scandal would cause. After Camarena’s body is found by federales, DEA attorney Ray Carson (Treat Williams) presses for full disclosure at Lawn's request. Although Steinmetz's team arrests Quintero, key evidence disappears. Then, when the Mexican government seems poised to offer Quintero as a scapegoat, the cornered Quintero retaliates by having DEA officer Tony Riva (Miguel Ferrer) jailed and tortured by local police. Despite the White House's skittish attitude, Carson locates money mover Raymon Varona (Eddie Velez), who can link pushers to the politicos. Eventually, justice prevails: Mexico's drug manufacturers retire to jail and the corrupt cabinet is disbanded. Director Brian Gibson's use of actual news footage lends a documentary flavor to this Emmy-winning miniseries, whose screenplay is notable for its unsparing depiction of drug peddlers and their enablers. The filmmakers manage to use a mystery story to honor the personal stories of the DEA's unsung heroes, and do it surpassingly well. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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