It's still a dirty Miami.

There is no doubt that Miami is a destination hotspot. Images derived from movies, television, music, and more appeals to people all over the world for individual purpose. From the reputation of this city such as South Beach to University of Miami are just classic examples of the amenities Miami has to offer. But take a look inside our city and its history. Miami is divided by fine lines that are visible between the good, bad, glamorous, and just plain ugly. Fallow the waves and see our city in current times.

Welcome to the city of Caine

From private high society parties to your local households, cocaine culture is here to stay. Miami has been the major entry port for cocaine in the United States for over 30 years. No longer considered a “rich man’s drug”, coke money still floods our streets as a cash crop for those that can keep a low profile. Even with today’s struggling economy, cocaine still sustains a high value versus supply and demand. Miami still holds a reputation for the infamous amount of money that was laundered throughout our city streets in the 1980’s and is responsible for the development of Miami as an international banking center. The large amounts of money from illegal cocaine trade called for the necessity of a larger and more sophisticated banking network. And even back then, Miami’s banks were receiving more than fifty times the average amount of cash than the rest of the country. Cocaine built our city’s skyline behind the blood of wars due to the infatuation of cash. And even today, our generation that extends from the past caries the same principal, get money.

“Hit me up with a D.P. of that White bitch” is just another way of saying “give me $10 dollars worth of cocaine”. And in a struggling economy, ten dollars can go a long way. But not as long as how much ten dollars of cocaine can get you, in one sitting. In other words, the amount of cocaine you receive for ten dollars can be sniffed faster than the obnoxious way of getting it in the first place. Plus, the quality of cocaine has diminished with more use of “fifty fifty” such as baking powder and Tylenol capsules. Yes, those are just two of many ingredients that are added to cocaine sold in order to dilute purity for more quantity. But that doesn’t stop locals or foreigners to risk penalty for such a fine “grade A” drug.

“It’s the sensation, the RUSH” is a feeling that isn’t always kept private. The more places you go, the more cocaine users you find. And when you are involved in that community, nothing stops you from finding something better than what you already have. “It’s my fulltime job” something common if you have gathered a good reputation and social network. “I cater to Homestead police officers and government officials.” My subject (name that I cannot state for obvious reasons), sells cocaine for a living. Full time, always on the road delivering his goods to customers from Florida City to Aventura. “It pays the rent, the bills, and then some...”. The temptation to live a comfortable life by the influence of cocaine as an income sounds like an easy proposal with a penalty. “I slang all day, every day. I make as much as five to maybe… seven thousand dollars a week. But I’m up almost 24 hours a day. If I want to make the money I need to live a comfortable life then that means …I have no life. Because I’m always on the streets. There’s no breaks if you want to keep a strong network because they can always find someone else. Remember, this is Miami, the City of Caine.”