The Stacey Dooley Investigates Collection Season 4 Episode 1 Cocaine Capital of the World
- August 12, 2013
In the season 4 premiere episode of The Stacey Dooley Investigates Collection, we follow Stacey Dooley as she travels to the city of Medellín in Colombia, known as the "Cocaine Capital of the World." Stacey explains that while the city has made significant progress towards rebuilding its image as a thriving metropolis, it still struggles with the repercussions of its notorious past.
Stacey meets with local youths who have turned to gang life as a means of survival in a city with limited opportunities and a long history of violence. She learns how these young people are easily lured into working for the drug cartels, who have continued to thrive in the region despite government crackdowns.
Stacey also visits a rehabilitation center where she meets drug addicts who are working to break free from the vicious cycle of addiction. She speaks to counselors who explain that the majority of patients they see have been addicted to cocaine, highlighting how the drug continues to be a major problem in the region.
Throughout the episode, Stacey speaks to various experts who help shed light on the complex issue of drug trafficking in Colombia. She meets with a former hitman who worked for the drug cartels, who shares his perspective on how the business operates. She also speaks to a former police officer who explains the challenges of policing a city where criminal organizations have significant influence.
Stacey even has the opportunity to meet with Rodrigo Londono, the former leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a leftist guerrilla group that was active in the region for decades. Rodrigo, who now heads a political party, speaks to Stacey about his efforts to bring peace to the region, and how ending the drug trade is a key component of that effort.
In the end, Stacey concludes that while the city of Medellín is working hard to rebuild, the drug trade continues to have a profound impact on the region. She acknowledges the efforts of those working to bring positive change to the area, but also recognizes the challenges that lie ahead in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking.