In the 1970s and 1980s, the city of Miami was in the grip of a cocaine epidemic, with the city's cocaine trade dominated by a group of violent and ruthless gangs known as the cocaine cowboys. The cocaine trade was worth billions of dollars, with the gangs using violence and intimidation to maintain their control.

Miami Cocaine Trade

The cocaine trade was fueled by the city's strategic location, with Miami's port and airport making it an ideal place for smugglers to bring in large shipments of cocaine. The gangs used a variety of methods to smuggle the cocaine, including hiding it in cargo ships and planes.

Key Facts

• Location: Miami, Miami-Dade County
• Gangs: Medellin cartel, Cuban gangs, and other groups
• Method: Smuggling and distribution
• Revenue: Billions of dollars
• Arrests: Hundreds of arrests and convictions, including high-profile busts

Corruption and Violence

The cocaine cowboys era was marked by corruption and violence, with many law enforcement officials and politicians on the take. The gangs used bribery and intimidation to maintain their control, with anyone who stood in their way facing the threat of violence or murder.

'The cocaine cowboys era was a time of great darkness and corruption in Miami,' said a former police chief.

Impact on Miami

The cocaine cowboys era had a lasting impact on the city of Miami, with the city's reputation as a hub of crime and corruption lasting for decades. The era also led to changes in the way that law enforcement agencies approach the war on drugs, with a greater emphasis on cooperation and intelligence gathering.