Title: Thirty Years Of America's Drug War | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE | PBS
Headings: 

Content: He uses the island as a hub for planes to refuel between Colombia and the U.S.
Drug traffickers George Jung and Carlos Toro describe life on Norman's Cay. 1979
(July 11)

Cocaine trade becomes increasingly violent. A deadly shootout between Colombian traffickers in broad daylight at Miami's Dadeland Mall brings the savagery of the Colombian cocaine lords to the attention of U.S. law enforcement. 1981-1982

Rise of the Medellin cartel. The alliance between the Ochoa family, Pablo Escobar, Carlos Lehder and Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha strengthens into what will become known as the "Medellin Cartel." The traffickers cooperate in the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of their cocaine. The kidnapping of Marta Ochoa by Colombian guerrillas consolidates the alliance. The traffickers form a group named MAS, a Spanish acronym for "Death to Kidnappers," announcing the imminent execution of any guerrilla kidnappers. Marta Ochoa is released without harm several months later. 1981

U.S.-Colombia extradition treaty ratified.