How Long The Real Robert Mazur Spent Undercover

The 2016 crime drama The Infiltrator is based on the true story of Robert Mazur, a U.S. Customs agent who infiltrated a dangerous drug cartel led by Pablo Escobar. The film, praised in reviews for The Informant’s stylish direction, delves into the dark world of organized crime and money laundering and the real-life Robert Mazur’s time as an undercover agent and IRS informant.

Mazur’s daring undercover operations have continued to inspire and inform, thanks to his books on the topic and his interviews and talks. He remains a prominent voice in the fight against financial crime, educating audiences on the ever-evolving tactics of money launderers.

Robert Mazur Spent Five Years Undercover To Infiltrate Money-Laundering Schemes

He Posed Under The Name Bob Musella

During a five-year undercover operation, Robert Mazur infiltrated high-level drug cartels, posing as a money launderer for cartel leaders. He went under the name Bob Musella (played by Bryan Cranston in The Infiltrator). Posing as a high-level money launderer, Mazur gained the trust of powerful criminals and uncovered the sprawling underground network of corruption and illicit finance that fueled their operations. Ultimately, his cover was blown during his second undercover operation following the takedown of the Medellín cartel. A corrupt DEA agent working for the Cali cartel was responsible for the unveiling.

Because of this, after the initial indictments, Mazur learned that a $500,000 bounty had been placed on his head. This forced him and his family to relocate and assume new identities. Despite the danger, Mazur remained determined to see the case through, knowing that his testimony was crucial to bringing down the criminal network. He prepared himself for the grueling trial, understanding that his life and the lives of his loved ones were at stake. However, following this, he decided that his undercover days were over – the impact on his family was not worth it anymore.

Two Of Robert Mazur’s Years Spent Undercover Were Linked To Pablo Escobar’s Cartel

Mazur Set Up A Massive Sting With A Fake Wedding

Two of Mazur’s five undercover years in the mid-1980s were spent taking down Pablo Escobar’s Medellín cartel. He staged a fake wedding, luring major drug lords and money launderers to his party in limos. As the drug lords relaxed by the pool, unaware of the trap they had walked into, they toasted their friend, Bob Musella. Unbeknownst to them, the lavish wedding – including 50 “family and friends,” played by federal agents (Daily Mail) – was an orchestrated sting operation. Dozens of cartel members and bankers were arrested that night, marking a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking.

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In his book The Infiltrator, which the 2016 movie is based on, Mazur writes, “To some degree, I did care about them; you can’t fake that – not for months or years. Some see this as a weakness, but for me, it’s the cost of doing the right thing, a kind of collateral damage.” This shows the tremendous strength agents doing undercover work have to demonstrate and the cognitive dissonance they have to cope with. Mazur indulged in expensive hotels and other lavish expenses as part of his identity but never became attached to these material excesses.

Source: Daily Mail

Director

Brad Furman

Release Date

July 13, 2016

Cast

John Leguizamo , Rubén Ochandiano , Diane Kruger , Juliet Aubrey , Saïd Taghmaoui , Amy Ryan , Benjamin Bratt , Simón Andreu , Bryan Cranston , Joseph Gilgun

Writers

Ellen Sue Brown