In July 1992, long shadows formed as the sun set over Medellin, the Colombian city nestled in the Aburra Valley. Perched against one of the steep hills overlooking the city sat the La Catedral Prison, although the word prison was hardly a good description. More like a luxurious estate, the facility boasted a private football pitch, Jacuzzi, and expansive cells more accurately described as hotel suites.
All of this was built especially for Colombia’s public enemy number one: Pablo Escobar, the drug smuggler who at the height of his power was responsible for 80% of the cocaine that flooded into the United States. The kingpin continued to run his empire while he served his time, protected from both the government and rival cartels.
But as nightfall crept closer, Colombian military had begun surrounding La Catedral. Escobar’s time there was up. He had to get out.