The film is based on the autobiography of the same name by Robert Mazur who in the 1980s helped bust Pablo Escobar 's money - laundering organization by going undercover as a corrupt businessman .
Robert Mazur is a U.S. Customs special agent .
The film is based on the autobiography of the same name by Robert Mazur , a U.S. Customs special agent , who in the 1980s helped bust Pablo Escobar 's money - laundering organization by going undercover as a corrupt businessman .