From licensed pilot to king of smuggling: the story of Barry Seal

The life of Barry Seal is an intriguing and tragic story full of unexpected twists that, decades later, will inspire Hollywood. His story demonstrates how one person was able to cross the boundaries between legality and crime, between serving his country and working for international drug cartels.

Early Years: An Incredible Journey into Aviation

Barry Seal was born in 1939 and entered the aviation world as a teenager. By age 16, he had obtained a pilot’s license—an age when most of his peers were only thinking about careers. This early passion for aviation defined his entire future, though not quite along the respectable path one might expect.

In the early stages of his career, Barry Seal used his piloting skills for illegal activities. Reports indicate that he smuggled weapons, with his first operations linked to the revolutionary events in Cuba—some say he even assisted Fidel Castro’s revolution. At that time, these were just beginning attempts to earn money through dangerous work.

Rise in the Criminal World: The Peak of Power in the Cartels

By the late 1970s, Barry Seal had fully committed to serious crime. He began collaborating with the Medellín Cartel—an organization that controlled a significant portion of the global drug market. For his activities and his skill in managing air operations, he earned the impressive nickname “El Gordo.”

As a cartel pilot, Seal became a key figure in the distribution chain. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, he smuggled huge quantities of cocaine worth between 3 and 5 billion dollars into the United States. His border flights were organized with military precision, earning him a reputation as one of the most reliable smugglers of his era.

Secret Cooperation with the CIA and a Tragic End

However, in 1984, Barry Seal’s life changed dramatically. He became an informant for American intelligence agencies—collaborating with the CIA and DEA. In this role, he helped take photographs and gather evidence against his main rival and enemy of the cartel—Pablo Escobar. Spying against one of the most powerful drug lords in the world required incredible courage and a willingness to take risks.

His cooperation with the authorities yielded some results: he received a reduced prison sentence. But this decision made him a target. Barry Seal knew too much and threatened too many people.

On February 19, 1986, at the age of 46, Barry Seal was found murdered. Apparently, cartel hitmen took him out, viewing him as a traitor. His body marked the final chapter in the story of an ambitious aviator who played with fire on both sides.

Legacy in Film

Decades later, Barry Seal’s story attracted the attention of filmmakers. In 2017, director Doug Liman created the film “American Made,” starring Tom Cruise as the pilot. The film brought Barry Seal’s story to theaters, transforming a real tragedy into an engaging cinematic work and reminding the world of the complexity of a life caught at the crossroads of history, crime, and intelligence agencies.