The Last Narc Season 1 Episode 4

The Last Narc is an Amazon Prime series which delves into the story of a DEA agent, Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was kidnapped and later murdered in the 1980s while on a mission in Mexico. The show explores the complexities of drug trafficking, corruption, and the enduring legacy of Kiki's life and death.

In episode 4, titled "The Cali KGB," the focus shifts towards the Cali Cartel, a powerful cocaine trafficking organization that was active during the same period as Kiki's mission. The Cali Cartel, unlike other drug cartels that resorted to brute force and violence, operated more subtly, through bribery, intimidation, and the strategic disposal of rivals.

We see how the Cartel's power extended beyond just the drug trade, but also included connections with high-ranking officials in the Colombian government and intelligence agencies. One of the most significant revelations of the episode is the revelation that the cartel was particularly close to a faction in the Soviet Union's KGB, who provided them with access to sophisticated surveillance technology and other resources that helped them maintain their control.

One figure who emerges as particularly important in this episode is the Cartel's lawyer, Humberto Álvarez Machaín. Álvarez, who is wanted by the DEA for his role in Kiki's murder, is shown to be a key player in the Cali Cartel's connections with the KGB. We see how he used his legal expertise to navigate the contours of international law in order to protect the cartel's interests, and how he used his connections in the Colombian government to cultivate a cozy relationship with the Soviet bloc.

Despite the deep connections between the Cali Cartel and the KGB, we see that there were some within the US intelligence community who were aware of their activities. The episode features interviews with former CIA and DEA agents who discuss the challenges of trying to track the cartel's movements, and how they used a variety of methods, including intercepting phone calls and using informants, to try to piece together the cartel's inner workings.

Overall, The Last Narc episode 4 gives viewers a window into the complex web of relationships and alliances that perpetuated the power of the Cali Cartel. It shows how even in the midst of the war on drugs, there were powerful actors who operated beyond the reach of traditional law enforcement, and how these actors ultimately contributed to the tragic and untimely death of one of the DEA's own.