After Escobar

Taking Down the Notorious Cali Godfathers and the Biggest Drug Cartel in History

By: Chris Feistl, Jessica Balboni - contributor, Dave Mitchell

Narrated by: Robert Fass

By the early 1990s, Colombia's Cali cartel had become what the former head of the DEA Thomas Constantine referred to as "the biggest and most powerful crime syndicate in history." Responsible for nearly 85% of the cocaine that reached US soil and 90% worldwide, they were untouchable. They brazenly corrupted thousands of Colombian authorities and government officials, even buying the outcome of the 1994 presidential election.

That same year, the DEA sent young operatives Chris Feistl and Dave Mitchell to Colombia with one formidable task: help Colombian authorities take down the ruthless leaders of the brutal Cali cartel. Not any easy job for two men who looked more like tall California surfers than DEA agents. Many of their colleagues feared for their safety, openly questioning their ability to blend in. Their almost three-year journey would lead them from the bureaucratic halls of the US Embassy to the violent streets of Cali and deep into its rural sugar cane fields, keeping them on high alert day and night as they dodged deadly cartel assassins and battled the unprecedented corruption within Colombia's security forces. Over time, their relentless efforts began to slowly degrade the cartel's defenses and weaken its infrastructure, leading to a demise many never even thought possible.

©2025 Chris Feistl, Dave Mitchell, and Jessica Balboni (P)2025 Highbridge Audio

Sometimes the Good Guys Win

Excellent story and flawless narration!

The book opens with an obligatory explanation of Pablo Escobar's empire. This is a required historical lesson to get you ready for Chris and Dave's story. Although I enjoyed the overview, when these two young DEA agents arrive in Colombia is when the story really heats up.

"After Escobar" is full of accidents, coincidences, near misses, and chance encounters. There are also traitors, informants, assassins, and more than one hidden chamber. The cartel starts off miles ahead of the DEA as these guy are up against an immense force powered by vast corruption at every level. Slowly, they chip away at the Cali empire. Proving a few good men (and women) can make a world of difference. Highly recommended.

Fantastic and True Story

Having worked in DEA for many years and on some cases involving the Cali Cartel, this book filled in details I had never known and helped me understand all of the sacrifices made by agents such as Chris and Dave. While I had met or worked beside them, I was clueless as to their actual roles in the dismantling of the Cartel. I finished this Audiobook in four days.