Hialeah Mayor Responds to Portrayal in Netflix’s The Rip

A recent film called “The Rip” featuring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon is inspired by a real-life 2016 drug bust that happened in Miami Lakes, not Hialeah.

The mayor of Hialeah has some concerns about how the city is portrayed in “The Rip.” While the film was set in Miami Lakes, it was actually shot in Hialeah because of its iconic status, according to Mayor Bryan Calvo. He wants to make it clear that Hialeah is not a stereotype and is actually a safe place to live. The residents are proud, hardworking people who reside in one of the safest cities in Florida, as per safety rankings.

The movie follows the story of Miami-Dade Police officers, now known as the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, who discovered millions in cash in a stash house, causing trust issues within the team.

The actual 2016 raid took place in a Miami Lakes home, where authorities found over $21 million in buckets hidden in a secret attic compartment. Luis Hernandez-Gonzalez, the man behind it all, was arrested on drug and firearms charges related to marijuana trafficking. He eventually made a plea deal, keeping some of his assets.

Now, “The Rip,” directed by Joe Carnahan, is available for streaming on Netflix for those who want to see the story unfold on screen. Just be aware that like many films based on true stories, there are liberties taken for dramatic effect.