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Drug Lords: The Rise and Fall of the Cali Cartel

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Product: Book
ISBN-10: 1-903854-38-5
ISBN-13: 9781903854389
Publisher: Milo Books
Country:
Year: April 1, 2005
Size: 12.95 x 19.30 x 2.54cm
Number of pages: 326
Weight: 227gr
Binding: Paperback

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For 20 years, the Cali drug cartel, a vast criminal conspiracy, pumped thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States, laundered billions of dollars in profits and was responsible for endemic political corruption and an untold number of murders and assassinations. It ultimately controlled 70 percent of the world's cocaine market, flooding towns and cities with the addictive white powder dubbed the »champagne of drugs.«

Through organized violence, terrorist strategies, intimidation and bribery, the cartel became a major threat to Colombia's fragile stability. It also brought an unprecedented degree of strategy and planning to the drugs trade. It would take more than two decades and a global effort to bring it down.

In this first-ever account of the cartel's rise and fall, author Ron Chepesiuk provides a compelling insight into the history of international drug trafficking, organized crime and US drug policy. He draws vivid pictures of the gang's founders-Jose »the Chess Player« Londono and brothers Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela-and reveals how they built their empire, carving up the massive US market with their rival Medellin Cartel: New York going to Cali, Miami to Medellin.

Unlike Medellin, headed by the vicious Pablo Escobar, the men from Cali kept their complex operation in the shadows. It grew quickly and came to operate like a multinational corporation. In time, they became too big to share their spoils and fought an indescribably bloody war with the Medellin mob, a war they ultimately won.

Written with the pace and vividness of a thriller, Drug Lords also illustrates the similarities between global traffickers and international terrorists and compares the current war on terror with the war on drugs.

reviews

Good book but full of spelling and grammatical errors 3 star rating

It was refreshing to read a book on the Cali Cartel. Most books written regarding the drug cartels in Colombia focus on Medellin and/or Pablo Escobar. The only problem I found with this book was the fact that there are numerous spelling and grammatical errors. I am not sure if this was an issue the editor should have corrected, the printer, or the author himself but I found myself reading sentences that would end abruptly and several cities and persons that were misspelled. This is very unprofessional. In any case, even though the writing style is a bit »dry«, I found myself enjoying the book simply because of its focus on the »other« cartel of Colombia.

Too many details 2 star rating

This book drowns in too many details and facts, and because of that the main characters remain a bit 'without character' so to speak. If you liked Mark Bowden's 'The Hunt for Pablo', do not think that this book is from the same order. It is not. It's far, far below.

One of the Best 5 star rating

One of the best books covering the Colombian drug wars. Highly detailed and readable.

Drug Lords Scores a Big Hit! 5 star rating

Anyone wanting to read a thrilling yet informative book about organized crime should start with Drug Lords. This is certainly the best book I've read about the international drug trade and how it works. The detail the author provides is amazing and everything is documented, but he still manages to present it in an interesting and riveting way. The story of the hunt for Pablo Escobar is a simple tale compared to what it took to take the godfathers from Cali. I also found it fascinating to read how the Cali Cartel outwitted their bitter rival, Pablo Escobar, in a brutal war that has no parallel in organized crime history. Then the Cali Cartel almost got away with taking over Colombia! As this well-written book shows, the War on Drugs may be futile, but the drug agents working the streets to protect the public against illegal drugs are real heroes. Highly recommended

Other Cartel … 3 star rating

it was good to read about the other major cartel in colombia, The cartel allowed Pablo Escobar to cause Havoc and quietly but efficiently went about spreading they're tentacles around the world. A fascinating insight to the inner workings of one of the most successful drug distribution networks ever! Maybe it was me but i knocked stars off the review because of the constant flicking back and forth to the index page to remind myself of each main character of the book. But this should not stop anyone who may be interested in this fascinating subject of one of Forbes top earners!