‘Narcos’ Takes Down Video Threatening to Shoot Fans for Piracy

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Video meant to be funny takes on darker meaning after location scout’s killing

Weeks before a “Narcos” location scout was killed in Mexico, the show posted an anti-piracy video that jokingly threatened death for anyone who pirated the show.

The video features actor Damián Alcazár, who plays drug lord Gilberto Rodríguez Orejuela, looking into the camera and threatening “bullets” for anyone pirates “Narcos.”

“There’s bullets for you, your family, and all the people you send to watch ‘Narcos’ on all those s—ty websites full of dubious pop-ups,” Alcazár says in the English-language video, which was posted with French subtitles in France on Sept. 5.

'Narcos' Location Manager Shot, Killed in Mexico While Scouting for Season 4

“Narcos” location scout Carlos Muñoz Portal was shot to death Sept. 11 outside of Mexico City, and his death was reported on Sept. 17. Netflix removed the video sometime between Sept. 15 and Sept. 18.

It was not clear whether Netflix took down the video because of the death. Netflix did not return a request for comment.

But at least one YouTube user saved a copy of the video.

Even before Munoz’s death, some critics didn’t think it was funny to joke about drug lords using “bullets” to punish piracy. Techdirt said the video “misses the mark on humor entirely,” calling it “uncomfortable” and “creepy.” People on Reddit offered mixed reviews.

There were no witnesses to Munoz’s shooting. His bullet-riddled car and body were found by the side of the road outside of Mexico City.

The real Gilberto and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela, who are brothers, pleaded guilty in 2006 to conspiring to bring in 400,000 pounds of cocaine into the U.S., forfeited $2.1 billion to the federal government, and are currently serving 30-year sentences in federal prison. “Narcos” also depicts the first Medellin Cartel leader, the late Pablo Escobar.

“Narcos” has given strong clues that its fourth season will move from Colombia to Mexico, where violence remains a serious problem. The country is bedeviled by warring drug cartels and more than 2,200 people were murdered in Mexico during the month of June alone.

“Narcos” Season 3 premiered on Netflix on Sept. 1.