Upamanyu Biswas
Directed by Brad Furman, ‘The Infiltrator’ centers on the exploits of Customs Agent Robert Mazur, who busted members of the Medellín drug cartel and a private international bank with corrupt dealings by disguising himself as a businessman named Bob Musella. During the sting operation, the covert agent brushed against some of the most influential members with ties to the infamous crime syndicate. To that end, one of the critical players Robert comes across in the crime thriller movie is the well-heeled jeweler and cartel associate Roberto Alcaino. As Musella, Mazur has to trap Alcaino in the whole sting operation as he gets closer to him through a personal relationship with him and his family.
Roberto Alcaino Was a Real Businessman Caught in the Workings of Operation C-Chase
As depicted in ‘The Infiltrator,’ Roberto Baez-Alcaino was a real Chilean-born jeweler who was an essential contact for the Medellín Cartel in the United States. He had a hand in importing cocaine into the country using various front operations like an anchovy-packing plant in Buenos Aires. As such, he was a critical member in helping prop up the drug trade in both the States and Europe. He also allegedly had ties to the head of the Medellín Cartel, Pablo Escobar, and worked particularly closely with Fabio Ochoa while flushing the nation with cocaine. Just like in the movie, Robert Mazur started working in conjunction with Alcaino as his alter ego, Bob Musella, in handling the drug money being laundered through different businesses.
One of the key differences between the movie’s portrayal and his real-life story takes place near the end of ‘The Infiltrator’ when Alcaino shows up to the staged wedding between Bob Musella and undercover agent Kathy Ertz as Kathy Erickson In reality, Alcaino never made it to the staged wedding, which was held on October 6, 1988. Instead, reports claim he was arrested while unloading 17 pounds of cocaine from cans of anchovies shipped to New York. His apprehension took place in September of 1988, which made him ineligible for showing up to the staged wedding event that bookmarked the end of Operation C-Chase. It is likely the movie depicts an alternate set of events to create a deeper feeling of betrayal when Mazur gives up Alcaino to the feds.
In the movie, the jeweler’s personality and characteristics seem more family-oriented, which creates a sense of camaraderie between Mazur and him. Benjamin Bratt, who plays Roberto Alcaino, said, “Yes, he’s a criminal, but he actually has qualities of personality that create a kind of emotional conflict for Bob Mazur. The way we’ve drawn him here, in this story, is that he’s a businessman. He’s a family man. He loves his wife, he loves his children, he loves to make money, and he loves God.” Amidst his darker dealings, the real Alcaino was also a seemingly legitimate businessman in charge of a Los Angeles-based construction venture and a promotion company named Antillas Promotions. Following his arrest, he was reportedly handed a 13-year sentence in 1990, while his wife, Gloria, served 20 months in prison.
Read More: The Infiltrator: Is Javier Ospiña Based on a Real Businessman? Where is He Now?
