If you’re a fan of true-crime documentaries or just enjoy a story that seems too wild to be true, you might have heard of the Air Cocaine scandal that made headlines back in 2013. For those who missed it or need a refresher, Netflix has turned the incredible events into a gripping documentary series, currently sitting in the platform’s Top 10. But what makes this case so captivating, and why has it garnered such attention once again?
The Unbelievable Air Cocaine Case That Shocked the World
When you think of international drug trafficking, you likely imagine well-coordinated, high-stakes operations involving cartels, secretive smuggling routes, and high-powered criminal masterminds. You probably envision something straight out of shows like Narcos or Breaking Bad. But sometimes, the truth is stranger than fiction, as was the case with Air Cocaine.
On March 20, 2013, the world was stunned by the arrest of four French nationals at the Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic. Among them were two pilots of a private jet, a Falcon 50, and two passengers. The cause of their arrest? The discovery of a staggering 700 kilograms of cocaine stashed in 26 suitcases aboard the plane. The authorities detained the group, and they faced up to 25 years in prison under Dominican law.
But the plot thickened. In a shocking twist, the individuals managed to escape, evading the Dominican justice system and eventually making their way back to France. There, they would stand trial years later. This bizarre and highly publicized case quickly captured the imagination of the French public and the international press, and it earned the nickname Air Cocaine. Now, over a decade later, it’s the subject of a Netflix documentary series that delves into the details of this extraordinary tale.

Is There a Dealer on the Plane? Surges to Netflix’s Top Series Rankings
Whether you followed the case back in 2013 or are just discovering it now, the best way to revisit the Air Cocaine story is through Netflix’s newly released series, Is There a Dealer on the Plane?. The show, cleverly named after the 1980 Zucker Brothers comedy Airplane!, reintroduces the unbelievable events from the beginning, providing all the context and jaw-dropping details you need to understand just how this scandal unfolded.
The series has captured the public’s attention, and it’s currently ranked as the third most popular show on Netflix, just behind Ginny & Georgia and Les Survivants. While the latest season of Ginny & Georgia still holds the top spot, Is There a Dealer on the Plane? has surged in popularity, surpassing other notable titles like Les Dossiers Oubliés and the Korean series No Mercy.
This rise in popularity highlights the growing appeal of documentary series on Netflix, a genre that continues to draw in large audiences with its real-life intrigue and drama. Netflix has successfully capitalized on the public’s fascination with true crime, further solidifying its position as a go-to platform for both fictional series and captivating real-world stories.
So, whether you’re a true-crime aficionado or simply in the mood for an incredible story that’s both enthralling and unbelievable, the Air Cocaine series is one that’s definitely worth a watch.