Evolving from a small group of young Medellin street thugs, the cartel has come to control more than half of the world's cocaine supply. This book examines the multinational network that has saturated the United States with cocaine, rocked Colombia's government, and sown corruption throughout Latin America. Based on firsthand reporting inside Colombia and sources within the cartel itself, chapters recount the cartel's escalating violence in an attempt to eliminate its enemies, including Colombia's justice minister, antidrug police commander, a dozen Supreme Court justices, and Barry Seal, the most important informant in the history of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The book also profiles the DEA agents and Colombian police who battle the cartel. Chapter notes, subject index. (Publisher summary modified)