Netflix film depicting Miami Lakes drug bust damaged reputation of MDSO deputies, lawsuit allegations – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
MIAMI LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) – A Netflix film impressed by the biggest money seizure in South Florida’s historical past is now the topic of a lawsuit for its depiction of the officers concerned within the case.
A brand new lawsuit filed towards Artists Equity, the manufacturing firm based by the primary stars of the film Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, claims the film, “The Rip,” unfairly damages the reputation of the officers who have been concerned within the 2016 raid.
“When you rip something, you’re stealing something. We never stole a dollar,” mentioned Jonathan Santana.
Santana, now a deputy for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, is one of the 2 officers of the previous Miami-Dade Police Department who was credited for fixing the Miami Lakes drug casewhich netted greater than $20 million being seized after being found contained in the attic of a house.
While Santana was celebrated for his work on the case 10 years in the past, he advised 7News he will get teased for his involvement within the case now.
He blames the Netflix film’s false portrayal of corrupt cops working that case for the change in habits.
“Pretty much saying, you know, how many buckets of money did I steal?” Santana mentioned.
Since “The Rip” was launched in January, he argues these are the varieties of verbal jabs he receives on a regular basis.
“They portrayed police officers as dirty, they portrayed my clients as dirty. Now their reputations are hurt,” mentioned Ignacio Alvarez, Santana’s legal professional.
Alvarez, who works at Algo Law Firm, mentioned that is why they’re suing the manufacturing firm.
The go well with additionally accommodates that producers ought to’ve additionally paid Santana and Jason Smith, the opposite officer concerned within the case, as consultants as a substitute of one other cop who, they are saying, wasn’t half of that investigation.
“If an individual got paid for the story then they should be compensated for being present,” mentioned Alvarez.
It’s not the primary time “The Rip” has been met with ire in South Florida.
Within per week of the film’s launch on the streaming platform, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo and the town’s chief of police mentioned it unfairly portrayed Hialeah as a harmful place to dwell and disrespected legislation enforcement regardless of the true-life occasions it is primarily based on truly occurring in Miami Lakes.
“This movie is a slap in the face to our law enforcement personnel,” mentioned Calvo.
Alvarez mentioned the film, which was offered as being primarily based on true occasions, is flawed and damaging to his shoppers’ pictures.
“My clients are now hurt for the rest of their lives with everyone perceives that they’re dirty,” mentioned Alvarez.
The lawsuit was filed in early May out of Coral Gables.
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
