In 1974 Steve Peterson had fully embraced the laid back counter culture of Southern California, and when the opportunity to smuggle one hundred and twenty kilos of marijuana from Mexico into the US presented itself, he jumped at it. But when the plan was interrupted by Tijuana cops, Steve faced years behind bars in the infamous and deadly La Mesa penitentiary?? unless he can find a way to escape.

After initiating divorce proceedings and sending his wife and young son back home, US Naval Officer Lemar Burton turns to partying late into the night with best friend Dom in the Spanish part of Catania, Sicily. But after he's demoted at work, his debts rack up fast and when Dom offers Lemar the chance to make easy money, Lemar makes a life-changing decision. He's arrested at Bogota airport carrying five kilos of pure cocaine hidden in a rucksack. Now Lemar has to survive one of Colombia's most brutal prisons, until salvation comes from the most unexpected quarter.