Netflix¡¯s Cocaine Air real story explained: What happened to the accused in the drug smuggling case?
Netflix¡¯s Cocaine Air true story: Netflix¡¯s Cocaine Air has stunned audiences with its gripping narrative. The film is based on an astonishing real-life drug smuggling case that involved a private jet and huge quantities of cocaine. Here¡¯s a breakdown of the shocking true events that inspired the documentary series.
Netflix¡¯s Cocaine Air real story: Netflix¡¯s Cocaine Air has stunned audiences with its intense depiction of a daring drug smuggling scheme. Inspired by actual events, the docuseries reveals how smugglers used a private aircraft to move an enormous quantity of cocaine across countries. With the shocking operation now exposed, many are curious about what happened to the people behind it¡ªhere¡¯s a look at the real story and what happened to the accused.
Netflix¡¯s Cocaine Air real story
Authorities discovered a private jet loaded with 26 suitcases containing more than 1,500 pounds of cocaine, igniting a high-profile international controversy. The bust occurred in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, just before the aircraft was scheduled to depart for France. The pilots, Pascal Fauret and Bruno Odos, both ex-members of the French military, were arrested and initially sentenced to 20 years in prison. In a surprising twist, the pair orchestrated a bold escape from the Dominican Republic to France in 2015.
Nicolas Sarkozy revient sur l¡¯affaire Air Coca?ne.
¡ª Netflix France (@NetflixFR) June 16, 2025
La mini-s¨¦rie documentaire Y A-T-IL UN DEALER DANS L¡¯AVION ?, c¡¯est dispo. pic.twitter.com/DhBMwaA4S6
Who else was accused in the Cocaine Air case?
According to VICE and Le Parisien, other individuals implicated in the smuggling operation included:
- Alain Castany (crew member)
- Nicolas Pisapia (passenger)
- Frank Colin ¨C A former bodyguard believed to be a key organizer
- Ali Bouchareb ¨C Identified as the mastermind behind the operation
Around 20 Dominican customs and police officials also came under investigation for their alleged involvement.
What happened to the accused?
Fauret and Odos were released from prison in 2015 while awaiting the outcome of their appeal against the initial 20-year sentence. In 2019, they were found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison, but they appealed once again. In 2021, they were ultimately acquitted after new testimony emerged. An unidentified individual involved in the case informed investigators that the two pilots had been ¡°tricked,¡± leading to their exoneration. Meanwhile, Frank Colin received a 12-year prison sentence, and Ali Bouchareb, identified as the mastermind behind the drug smuggling operation, was sentenced to 18 years.
Cocaine Air is now available to stream on Netflix, delivering a gripping exploration of one of the boldest and most controversial drug trafficking operations in recent times.
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Iraa Paul writes for Indiatimes Entertainment section - She has equal passion for hot coffee and hot OTT content. She is a pro at suggesting movies and series to watch on the weekend or when you are having a bad day.