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Drug Wars: The Camarena Story

  • TV Mini Series
  • 19901990
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 4h 30m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
617
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:33
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama

Fact-based story of undercover D.E.A. Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who, while stationed in Guadalajara, uncovered a massive marijuana operation in Northern Mexico that led to his death and ... Read allFact-based story of undercover D.E.A. Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who, while stationed in Guadalajara, uncovered a massive marijuana operation in Northern Mexico that led to his death and a remarkable investigation of corruption within the Mexican government.Fact-based story of undercover D.E.A. Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who, while stationed in Guadalajara, uncovered a massive marijuana operation in Northern Mexico that led to his death and a remarkable investigation of corruption within the Mexican government.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
617
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Steven Bauer
    • Elizabeth Peña
    • Miguel Ferrer
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Steven Bauer
    • Elizabeth Peña
    • Miguel Ferrer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Episodes3

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    1990

    Videos2

    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story
    Trailer 1:33
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story
    Trailer 1:38
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story

    Photos104

    Christine Claravall in Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)
    Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steven Bauer
    Steven Bauer
    • Enrique 'Kiki' Camarenaas Enrique 'Kiki' Camarena
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Elizabeth Peña
    Elizabeth Peña
    • Mika Camarenaas Mika Camarena
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Miguel Ferrer
    Miguel Ferrer
    • Tony Rivaas Tony Riva
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Benicio Del Toro
    Benicio Del Toro
    • Caro Quinteroas Caro Quintero
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Guy Boyd
    Guy Boyd
    • George Gilliardas George Gilliard
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Tony Plana
    Tony Plana
    • Pavon Reyesas Pavon Reyes
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Tomas Milian
    Tomas Milian
    • Florentino Venturaas Florentino Ventura
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Raymond J. Barry
    Raymond J. Barry
    • Jack Lawnas Jack Lawn
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Everett McGill
    Everett McGill
    • Bob Rawlingsas Bob Rawlings
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Eddie Velez
    Eddie Velez
    • Ramon Varonaas Ramon Varona
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    J. Kenneth Campbell
    J. Kenneth Campbell
    • Stephen Matsonas Stephen Matson
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Alex Sheafe
    Alex Sheafe3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Andy Romano
    Andy Romano
    • Bud Mullenas Bud Mullen
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Tony Amendola
    Tony Amendola3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Jorge Cervera Jr.
    • Suarezas Suarez
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Valentin de Vargas
    Valentin de Vargas
    • Valdezas Valdez
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Joaquín Martínez
    Joaquín Martínez3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    Kenny Morrison
    • Enrique Camarena Jras Enrique Camarena Jr
    3 episodes3 eps • 1990
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Fact-based story of undercover D.E.A. Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena who, while stationed in Guadalajara, uncovered a massive marijuana operation in Northern Mexico that led to his death and a remarkable investigation of corruption within the Mexican government. —John Sacksteder <jsackste@bellsouth.net>
    • undercover agent
    • dea agent
    • drug trafficking
    • usa
    • united states
    • 7 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • His Death Ignited A War America Can't Win.
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for violence and drug content
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Ten years after appearing in this mini-series, Steven Bauer, Benicio Del Toro, Miguel Ferrer, Eddie Velez, and Tomas Milian reunited in the similar themed movie Traffic (2000).
    • Alternate versions
      Released in shorter form as a two-hour movie originally in Finland on VHS. The DVD version released later (in 2003) is the complete mini-series on 1 disc with the three episodes separately with initial opening and end credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1990)

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    Great Cast,Great Story
    A great film based on DEA agent, Enrique"Kiki" Camerena of Calexico California. Acclaimed director, Michael Mann of "Miami Vice", "Heat" and "The Insider" was Executive Producer of this 1991 Mini-series directed by Brian Gibson. It was the second most watched NBC mini-series of the year following "The Kennedys". Filmed on location in Spain, "Drug Wars" is a powerhouse film depicting the role of the DEA in Mexico in 1985 that led to the unveiling of drug corruption within the Mexican government. At the head of the investigation was agent Camerena, played by Steven Bauer along with Jaime Kurkendall,portrayed by Craig T. Nelson (wonderful performance by the way). Miguel Ferrer,Tony Plana, Elizabeth Pena and then 24 year old, Benicio Del Torro also star. A tight cast portray the investigation into the kidnapping, torture and cover up of Kiki Camarena. Based on Elaine Shannon's book and "Time" magazine article, "Desperados". This is a great film. The precursor to "Traffic".Great Film. I wish NBC would sell this film!
    helpful•7
    1
    • mattamar
    • Nov 24, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 7, 1990 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Spain
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Das Camarena-Komplott
    • Filming locations
      • USA
    • Production companies
      • World International Network (WIN)
      • ZZY Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      4 hours 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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