Cocaine Bear: The Real Story Behind the Infamous Drug Smuggler.

In the world of drug trafficking, there have been numerous bizarre incidents, but none as strange as the story of Cocaine Bear. This is a tale of a drug smuggler, a black bear, and the events that transpired in the mountains of Georgia in 1985. The story has become an urban legend and continues to fascinate people even today. In this article, we delve deep into the real story behind Cocaine Bear, how it came to be, and the aftermath of the incident.

The Legend of Cocaine Bear

The legend of Cocaine Bear starts with Andrew Thornton II, a former narcotics officer who turned into a smuggler. He was part of a drug trafficking operation that flew narcotics into the US from Colombia. In 1985, during one such operation, Thornton had to make an emergency landing near Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia. He was carrying over 70 lbs of cocaine, worth around $15 million at the time.

The Death of Andrew Thornton II

The crash killed Thornton instantly. However, the story does not end there. While his accomplices managed to flee the scene, they left behind the cocaine, which was discovered by the black bear. The bear ingested a large amount of cocaine, which caused its death. The bear, now known as Cocaine Bear, became an instant legend.

The Investigation and Trial

The discovery of the bear's body led to an investigation, which revealed the details of the drug smuggling operation. The investigation led to the arrest and conviction of several individuals involved in the operation, including a former CIA pilot, who was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Aftermath

The story of Cocaine Bear did not end with the trial. The bear's stuffed body was put on display in a roadside museum in Georgia, and it soon became a popular attraction. The bear's story was also the inspiration behind the movie "Cocaine Bear," directed by Elizabeth Banks, which is set to release in 2022.

The Real Story Behind Cocaine Bear

The story of Cocaine Bear has become an urban legend, with many embellishments and exaggerations. However, the truth behind the story is equally fascinating. The events that transpired on that fateful day in 1985 continue to intrigue people even today.

The Life of Andrew Thornton II

Andrew Thornton II was a former narcotics officer who turned to drug trafficking. He was a part of a notorious drug trafficking operation that flew drugs from Colombia to the US. The operation was led by a man named Barry Seal, who was later assassinated by the Medellin Cartel.

The Drug Trafficking Operation

Thornton's role in the operation was to fly the drugs into the US using a small plane. However, things took a turn for the worse when he crash-landed in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The crash killed him instantly, and the cocaine he was carrying was left behind.

The Black Bear's Death

The discovery of the bear's body with cocaine in its system led to many conspiracy theories. Some claimed that the bear was intentionally fed cocaine by the smugglers, while others believed that the bear was killed by the CIA to prevent it from becoming a drug mule.

The Trial and Convictions

The investigation that followed the discovery of Cocaine Bear's body led to the arrest and conviction of several individuals involved in the drug trafficking operation. Among them was Eugene Hasenfus, a former CIA pilot who was sentenced to life imprisonment. Hasenfus was later released in a prisoner exchange with the Sandinista government in Nicaragua