The 1980s were a time of significant political and law enforcement challenges in Miami. The city became known as the "Drug Capital of the World" due to the intense turf wars between drug cartels, particularly the Medellín Cartel led by Pablo Escobar. These conflicts resulted in a high level of violence and corruption, with numerous murders and acts of brutality attributed to the "Cocaine Cowboys" era
Law enforcement agencies faced substantial challenges in combating drug trafficking. The Miami drug war involved armed conflicts between the U.S. government and multiple drug cartels, leading to a surge in violence and crime. The situation was exacerbated by corruption within law enforcement, with instances of police officers being bribed or otherwise compromised by drug traffickers