Part 2/7:
The narrative of Everglades City took a notorious turn in the 1970s and 1980s, as it emerged as a hub for drug smuggling. Local residents earned the moniker "saltwater Cowboys" due to their adeptness in navigating the complex waterways to transport illicit goods in collaboration with Cuban and Colombian traffickers. While this clandestine activity brought significant wealth to some, it also invited law enforcement crackdowns and the tragic unraveling of numerous lives. Despite this shadowed past, the city has evolved into a prominent eco-tourism destination, now offering airboat tours, fishing charters, and wildlife exploration.