Ep 1. How Cocaine Came to America

Narco Wars is a documentary-style show that takes an in-depth look at the cocaine trade and its effects on both the United States and Latin American countries. In season 1 episode 1, titled "How Cocaine Came to America," the show delves into the origins of the drug and how it made its way to the United States.

The episode begins by exploring the history of the coca leaf, which has been used for medicinal and religious purposes in South America for thousands of years. However, it wasn't until the late 1800s that cocaine was first isolated from the coca leaf and began to be used widely throughout the world.

The show then moves on to the early 20th century, when cocaine use in the United States became more widespread. At the time, cocaine was legal and was often included in products such as Coca-Cola. However, as the negative effects of cocaine use became more apparent, the drug was eventually banned in the United States in 1914.

Despite the ban, the demand for cocaine continued to grow, and the drug trade began to flourish in Latin American countries such as Colombia and Peru. In the 1970s, drug cartels in these countries began to capitalize on the growing demand for cocaine in the United States, and a new era of drug trafficking began.

The episode introduces viewers to some of the key players in the early days of the cocaine trade, including Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel. Through archival footage and interviews with experts and former drug traffickers, the show provides an in-depth look at how these cartels operated and how they were able to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into the United States.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the episode is how it shows the complicity of the US government in the cocaine trade. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, the CIA worked with drug traffickers in Latin America as part of the "War on Drugs." The show reveals the extent of this involvement, and how it helped to fuel the growth of the drug trade.

Overall, "How Cocaine Came to America" is a fascinating look at the dark history of the cocaine trade and its impact on both Latin America and the United States. It provides a detailed and well-researched account of how the drug trade developed and how it has shaped the world we live in today.