Netflix Narcos: 5 things that are 100% real documentary Meet the Drug Lords proves it! Sat

June 2024 · 3 minute read

Netflix series Narcos first aired in 2015.

The popular show is in its third season with the fourth due to air in 2018.

Narcos began following the life of drug lord, Pablo Escobar. Although dramatised, Narcos is based on real-life events.

Channel Four documentary, Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos takes a look into the lives of the real narcos with the help of ex-special forces soldier, Jason Fox (Foxy).

Here are 5 similarities between Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos and Netflix Narcos.

Similarity #1 The Narcos Lifestyle

The prospect of women, clothes, money, cars and houses has come up more than once in the C4 documentary.

Much like the Netflix Narcos series which had more than enough scenes showing the Narcos’ lifestyle.

https://www.netflix.com/watch/80025172?trackId=14170286&tctx=2%2C1%2Cef9f9019-c11c-475e-92c4-cb0a94965665-24242046%2Ce9e97fb6-1c40-4783-b094-54968b8b2ca5_34832066X3XX1533928158818%2Ce9e97fb6-1c40-4783-b094-54968b8b2ca5_ROOTNetflix Narcos S1 E2https://www.netflix.com/watch/80025172?trackId=14170286&tctx=2%2C1%2Cef9f9019-c11c-475e-92c4-cb0a94965665-24242046%2Ce9e97fb6-1c40-4783-b094-54968b8b2ca5_34832066X3XX1533928158818%2Ce9e97fb6-1c40-4783-b094-54968b8b2ca5_ROOTNetflix Narcos S1 E2

In episode two of the Real Narcos, Puchi, a former gang member turned singer and musician, said how being part of the cartel is looked at as fashionable.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-drug-lords-inside-the-real-narcos/on-demand/65790-002Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos e2 Puchihttps://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-drug-lords-inside-the-real-narcos/on-demand/65790-002Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos e2 Puchi

Puchi also told Foxy that the monthly wage a labourer in Buenaventura makes ($150), a member of the drug cartel could make in a day ($180).

https://www.netflix.com/watch/80025316?trackId=200257858

Similarity #2 Drug Cartels Kill Reporters

Remember Diana Turbay from Netflix Narcos series one?

Well, this storyline isn’t a far cry from what goes on in the Real Narcos.

https://www.netflix.com/watch/80025319?trackId=200257858

In episode 1 of C4’s Meet the Drug Lords, local journalist, Miguel, shows Foxy a memorial for a journalist that was recently killed in broad daylight by the cartel.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-drug-lords-inside-the-real-narcos/on-demand/65790-001

Journalist, Javier Cárdenas was shot 12 times at 12 o’clock midday, he also worked for Ríodoce newspaper, which means 12 rivers.

The killers certainly wanted to make their message clear. Foxy’s guide and journalist, Miguel said:

This is another sign that no-one is safe in this city.”

Similarity #3 Smuggling Drugs 

In the Pablo Escobar Narcos, we saw drugs smuggled in the wheel arches of cars.

Episode one of Meet the Drug Lords shows how the Sinaloa cartel smuggles half the heroin and cocaine consumed in America.

They hid $49,000 USD of heroin and $23,000 of cocaine in the roof lining a car that was ready to cross the border to the U.S.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-drug-lords-inside-the-real-narcos/on-demand/65790-001Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos e1

Similarity #4 Respect For Pablo

In both Meet the Drugs Lords and Netflix Narcos there are certain people that seem to have a great deal of respect for Pablo Escobar.

According to Popeye – who worked as Escobar’s hitman – among murdering thousands of people, Escobar would provide the poor neighbourhoods with Christmas presents and medical centres.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-drug-lords-inside-the-real-narcos/on-demand/65790-002Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos

Similarity #5 Narcos Violence

Foxy went to Acapulco in episode one where warring cartels have bought violence to the city.

He and forensic agent Hector Ramirez were called to the scene of a dismembered body in the street.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-drug-lords-inside-the-real-narcos/on-demand/65790-001Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos e1

The gore and extreme violence of the drug cartels is truly shocking.

And when you realise this wasn’t just an inspiration for a Netflix show, it only seems worse.

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/meet-the-drug-lords-inside-the-real-narcos/on-demand/65790-002Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos e2

Escobar’s hitman, Popeye, served over 20 years in prison.

Now, he says the violent chapter has passed and the wounds are healing for everyone.

WATCH MEET THE DRUG LORDS: THE REAL NARCOS ON CHANNEL 4 ON THURSDAYS, 9 PM.

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