Arthur Crosby quotes from Narcos

Mr. Ambassador, I believe people fall into two categories, basically: those who rely on hope and those who rely on faith, who see a system at work in the world and are devoted to it. It may be religion, but in the case of police work, a method.

Arthur Crosby

I'm guessing that you fall on the faith side.

Correct. We can catch Escobar in any number of ways. But if the one we choose furthers an already strained relationship between the Colombian people and its police, a strain caused by years of corruption and abuse, then we'll have lost. Even if we catch him.

César Gaviria

He thinks I should publicly condemn Los Pepes.

Arthur Crosby

They're criminals. Their activities cannot be condoned. Even if one does approve of the results. Mr. President, I'm no one to bullshit. Maybe that's hurt me in my career. Yes, Los Pepes are an ugly business. They're getting to Escobar. That's all that matters at the present.

If I condemn them, I have to police them.

Crosby

With politics and war, the trick is in the timing. Watch how they evolve, how their actions are received.

And, uh, up till then, pretend they don't exist.

Crosby

Well, we can if you can.

[inter-governmental meeting] According to our intelligence, Gilberto Rodríguez was a stabilizing influence on the cartel. His arrest may lead to an increased violence against civilians and police. No doubt the cartel leaders are now in hiding, and their security apparatus is operating in a state of high alert. So the only thing we can be certain of is that any further operation against the cartel will be both very difficult and extremely dangerous.

Arthur Crosby

We appreciate the volatility of the situation, General.

Well, in that case, I will turn things over to the man who's responsible for this situation. Maybe he can walk us through his path to victory. So Agent Peña, what comes next? The floor is yours...

Javier Peña

So that's it. They bought [sighs] the president.

Arthur Crosby

And for now, they get to keep him.

Peña

[begins to leave, then turns around] We never had a chance.

Arthur Crosby

[turning off the news as Peña walks in] You didn't really call the country that we're guests in a "Narco-Democracy."

Javier Peña

Are you saying it isn't?

Crosby

The State Department's livid.

Peña

Good. They're responsible. We all are.

Crosby

You know any aspirations you had for your career just got dragged behind the barn and shot.

Peña

I resigned from the DEA this morning...