Taking Down "The Gentlemen of Cali": Inside the Hunt for Colombia's Drug Lords In a rive
In a riviting podcast episode, former DEA agent Chris Feistl takes us deep inside his 26-year career fighting international drug trafficking, with particular focus on his dangerous mission to bring down the notorious Cali Cartel in Colombia during the 1990s. Feistl, who co-authored "After Escobar" with partner Dave Mitchell, provides firsthand accounts of what it was like operating against what the DEA administrator called "the biggest and most powerful crime syndicate in history."
The Cali Cartel, led by four godfathers - Gilberto Rodriguez-Sorabuela, Miguel Rodriguez-Sorabuela, Jose "Chepe" Santa Cruz Londoño, and Helmer "Pacho" Herrera - controlled an astonishing 80-85% of cocaine reaching U.S. shores and 90% of cocaine worldwide. What made them particularly formidable was their sophistication and business-like approach. Unlike Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel, which ruled through terror and violence, the Cali leaders operated through systematic bribery and corruption, earning them the nickname "The Gentlemen of Cali." Their influence was so profound that they drove 40% of economic development in the Cali region during the late 70s and early 80s.
Feistl describes the nearly impossible working conditions DEA agents faced in Colombia. Standing over 6'2", Feistl and his partner physically stood out in Cali, immediately identified as potential American operatives. The cartel's counter-intelligence apparatus, nicknamed the "Cali KGB," was exceptionally sophisticated - wiretapping 400 phone lines monthly, employing thousands of taxi drivers as informants, placing spies in hotels and airports, and maintaining computer databases of suspected threats. The overwhelming corruption meant that "nothing moved inside of Cali without the Cali Cartel knowing about it." This forced DEA agents to adapt their tactics, eventually moving from police barracks to undisclosed safe houses to maintain operational security.
The Cali Cartel's political influence extended to the highest levels of Colombian government. Feistl reveals how the cartel contributed over $6 million to Ernesto Samper's successful 1994 presidential campaign in exchange for favorable treatment. This systemic corruption complicated DEA operations immensely, requiring agents to work unilaterally when possible to avoid information leaks. Feistl candidly acknowledges that they "failed over and over again" before discovering ways to circumvent corruption and plan operations in secret.
Fans of the Netflix series "Narcos" will be particularly interested in Feistl's perspective, as he was portrayed in the show's third season focusing on the Cali Cartel. He describes visiting Colombia during filming, working with actors on scripts, and seeing locations where actual operations took place recreated for television. His upcoming book "After Escobar" (releasing June 24th) promises to deliver the authentic, behind-the-scenes account of the DEA's battle against the most sophisticated criminal organization in history - making it essential reading for true crime enthusiasts and those fascinated by the real stories that inspired "Narcos."
