For the first time, legendary DEA operatives Steve Murphy and Javier F. Peña tell the true story of how they helped put an end to one of the world’s most infamous narco-terrorists in Manhunters: How We Took Down Pablo Escobar–the subject of the hit Netflix series, Narcos. Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar’s brutal MedellÃn Cartel was responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine to North … tons of cocaine to North America and Europe in the 1980s and ’90s. The nation became a warzone as his sicarios mercilessly murdered thousands of people–competitors, police, and civilians–to ensure he remained Colombia’s reigning kingpin. With billions in personal income, Pablo Escobar bought off politicians and lawmen, and became a hero to poorer communities by building houses and sports centers. He was nearly untouchable despite the efforts of the Colombian National Police to bring him to justice.
But Escobar was also one of America’s most wanted, and the Drug Enforcement Administration was determined to see him pay for his crimes. Agents Steve Murphy and Javier F. Peña were assigned to the Bloque de Búsqueda, the joint Colombian-U.S. taskforce created to end Escobar’s reign of terror. For eighteen months, between July 1992 and December 1993, Steve and Javier lived and worked beside Colombian authorities, finding themselves in the crosshairs of sicarios targeting them for the $300,000 bounty Escobar placed on each of their heads.
Undeterred, they risked the dangers, relentlessly and ruthlessly separating the drug lord from his resources and allies, and tearing apart his empire, leaving him underground and on the run from enemies on both sides of the law.
Manhunters presents Steve and Javier’s history in law enforcement from their rigorous physical training and their early DEA assignments in Miami and Austin to the Escobar mission in Medellin, Colombia–living far from home and serving as frontline soldiers in the never ending war on drugs that continues to devastate America.
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A gripping insider account of the hunt for Pablo Escobar. Brilliant, bold, and no holds barred, this is an impeccable true crime story, told by the two brave men who risked everything to bring down the world’s first narco-terrorist. A five-star read!
The backstory of the two very different DEA agents and how they ended up together is worth reading alone, never mind the twists and turns of trying to capture the elusive Escobar. They don’t try to act like they were the entire operation, giving props to so many others around them. A thrilling and harrowing story.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Manhunters
By: Steve Murphy, Javier F. Pena
*REVIEW*
Manhunters is the story of how infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar was taken down. It is nothing short of amazing and fascinating. I was totally riveted from beginning to end. I love true stories that read like fiction. Sometimes reality eclipses any story you can possibly imagine. Pablo Escobar was THE guy, like the founder of a multi billionaire dollar industry, and nobody crossed him. He was the pivotal factor in the creation of the drug trade, especially cocaine, and his legacy lives on, unfortunately. Imagine the amount of people and time and resources it took to stop this guy. If you have any interest in the history and the origin of major drug trafficking, read this book. It is an informative, compelling and thought provoking look at an incredible operation.
A fast-paced tale by two agents for the DEA who had the inside track on bringing down the most wanted man in recent U.S history.
Manhunters is a gripping story about two true patriots who were the difference makers in the final hunt for Pablo Escobar. They are heroes to a world that was otherwise held captive by the evil of the planet’s first narco-terrorist. Their bravery is unparalleled, and we owe them a great deal of gratitude for their selfless sacrifices. It is an honor to know them and their story.
Copy received from St Martin’s Press for an honest review
I have grown up knowing the stories of the Colombian drug cartels, of Pablo Escobar, and I remember the news stories when he was killed.
We always hear the story of the criminal. It gets romanticised for movies, they get turned into “heroes” of sorts, and all their evil doings get pushed to the side.
We see the jackets with the big yellow letters on them across our TV screens, but we never hear about the people wearing them.
Manhunters gives us the story of the 2 DEA agents right in the middle of the hunt and capture of Escobar. Steve Murphy and Javier Pena tell their stories from joining law enforcement to the aftermath of the Escobar years.
It is like reading a fictional thriller – except everything happened, even when it seems over the top and can’t possibly be true. Their story was the basis of the TV show Narcos, which I watched and loved, and whilst part of that were fictionalised, it gave me a better visual of things as I was reading.
True crime stories can come across as dry reading, however Manhunters was not like that. Javier and Steve’s writing had me so interested and involved, so much so that I ate a very late dinner last night as I didn’t want to stop reading.
I would love to read more stories like this
@DEANarcos