Operation Odessa

Operation Odessa unveils the extraordinary story of three audacious criminals who attempted to sell a Soviet submarine to a Colombian drug cartel in the 1990s. This stranger-than-fiction tale follows the escapades of an unlikely trio: Ludwig “Tarzan” Fainberg, a Russian gangster from Brooklyn; Juan Almeida, a Miami-based luxury car dealer with connections to the black market; and Nelson “Tony” Yester, a Cuban-born international drug trafficker.

The documentary chronicles the rise of this motley crew as they navigate the murky waters of international crime. Their journey begins in Miami’s underworld, where Tarzan runs a strip club called Porky’s, which becomes a hub for Russian mobsters. Almeida, known for his ability to procure anything for a price, crosses paths with Tarzan through their shared interest in luxury vehicles. The trio is completed when Yester, a self-made millionaire in the drug trade, seeks out Almeida for a Ferrari.

As their friendship and business relationships deepen, the group’s ambitions grow exponentially. They start small, importing Russian motorcycles on rented military helicopters, but their schemes quickly escalate. The documentary reveals how they managed to impersonate Pablo Escobar, establish a cocaine pipeline, and even purchase two military helicopters from the Soviets. These successes embolden them to pursue their most audacious plan yet: acquiring a Soviet submarine to sell to the Medellín cartel for a staggering $35 million.

The film provides a thrilling account of how these men navigated the collapse of the Soviet Union, exploiting the economic chaos in Russia where military personnel were earning a mere $30 a month. Their ability to gain access to a submarine base and “shop” for military hardware is presented with a mix of disbelief and dark humor, highlighting the absurdity and danger of their endeavors.

Operation Odessa also sheds light on the law enforcement efforts to thwart this potentially catastrophic deal. The documentary’s title is derived from the joint task force mission established by U.S. government agencies to catch Russian mobsters collaborating with Latin American drug lords. Viewers are privy to insights from DEA and FBI agents who were involved in the case, including access to some of the 15,000 hours of wiretapped conversations collected during the investigation.

The documentary’s narrative is driven by candid interviews with the main players themselves. Tarzan, who has since served time in prison and is barred from entering the United States, boasts about outsmarting various law enforcement agencies. Yester, still a fugitive, provides one of the most compelling interviews in the film, speaking from a mysterious location “somewhere in Africa”.

Throughout the documentary, the line between audacity and lunacy is constantly blurred. The protagonists’ charisma and bravado are palpable, even as they recount their illegal activities. Their story spans continents, from the streets of Miami to the corridors of power in Moscow and the jungles of Colombia, painting a vivid picture of a world where anything seems possible with enough nerve and the right connections.