Dennis Haysbert, best known for his iconic role as President David Palmer in 24, will star in and executive produce the upcoming action-drama American Smuggler. The film delves into the rise and fall of Craig Petties, a Memphis-born drug trafficker who operated one of the most notorious criminal networks in U.S. history. Petties’ operation, tied to Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa Cartel led by El Chapo, stretched across North America and left a lasting impact on countless communities.
Haysbert will portray a high-ranking CIA agent in the film, which focuses on the elite teams that unraveled Petties’ empire. The story highlights the combined efforts of SEAL Team Six, Delta Force, and the Mexican Marines in dismantling a vast international drug network. In addition to the dramatic takedown, the film sheds light on the harrowing exploitation of children forced to work in cartel tunnels—many of whom lost their lives to tragic collapses.
Petties, whose criminal career included trafficking drugs and orchestrating multiple murders, was captured in 2008 and sentenced to life in prison in 2013. At the time of his sentencing, he was just 36 years old.
The film’s screenplay, penned by Koji Steven Sakai (Skeletons in the Closet), Sam Wildhorse Bass, and Tracy Matthews, draws from Matthews’ firsthand experience as a civilian team leader during the operation to capture Petties. Behind the scenes, the project boasts a robust production team, including David M. Matthews of Stone Gate Entertainment and Cheryl Martin and Troy Allen of CMA Entertainment, with Jarnell Stokes, Isaiah Stokes, and Aisha Wynn of Stoked Bros Media also producing.
Haysbert’s co-executive producers include Geevani Singh and retired SEAL Team Six member Don Mann, while former Navy SEAL and NFL player Damian Jackson serves as a consultant.
The Story Behind Craig Petties
Craig Petties’ criminal empire is the stuff of legend—and infamy. Born and raised in Memphis, Petties began as a small-time drug dealer but quickly rose through the ranks, aligning himself with the Sinaloa Cartel. His operation trafficked massive quantities of cocaine and marijuana across the U.S. Petties’ criminal activity wasn’t limited to drugs; he ordered assassinations of rivals and witnesses, further solidifying his reputation as a ruthless kingpin.
In 2001, Petties fled to Mexico to evade law enforcement and continued running his operation remotely. He lived lavishly under an alias while maintaining ties to the cartel, but his empire unraveled as federal authorities closed in. Petties’ capture in 2008 marked the end of one of the largest drug trafficking networks in U.S. history.
A Humanitarian Mission Through Storytelling
American Smuggler isn’t just an action-packed thriller; it’s a mission-driven project with a deeper purpose. “This film offers a comprehensive view from all involved parties: the street hustlers, the drug cartel, and the team that captured El Chapo and rescued trafficked children. It’s a unique and vital story of exploitation, greed, and the valor of the soldiers who intervened,” said executive producer Don Mann.
Jarnell Stokes, a Memphis native and NBA player turned producer, emphasized the humanitarian angle: “American Smuggler is much more than an action-packed drama. It’s a mission-driven project with a critical humanitarian goal: to not only entertain but also educate and inspire action by bringing widespread awareness to the atrocities occurring to children around the world. We hope to be a voice for the voiceless and work toward creating meaningful change.”