Topic: Cocaine Cowboys

Bloomberg Markets Magazine reports that Wachovia and Bank of America laundered hundreds of millions of dollars for Mexican drug cartels. The discussion references the documentary "Cocaine Cowboys" to illustrate the long history of banks being funded by illicit narcotics trade. The hosts contrast the lack of criminal prosecution for big banks with the strict financial tracking imposed on ordinary citizens.

The HBO documentary "Cocaine Cowboys" provides an in-depth look at the 1970s and 80s drug trade in Florida, featuring interviews with former traffickers. The film details the rise of Griselda Blanco, known as the "Cocaine Queen of Miami," and the sheer volume of narcotics flown into the country with minimal law enforcement interference. The documentary is praised for its gritty, first-hand accounts of the era that inspired "Miami Vice."