National Geographic Locked Up Abroad Puerto Vallarta is the latest episode in the gritty and gripping series which is now in Season 3. See photos, video here of the episode broadcast on April 22, 2009.

The fourth episode of the 14 part series National Geographic Locked Up Abroad follows the experience of Jake and American who becomes a small time drug dealer in Mexico. It is somewhat of a reversal of expectations, as we hear so much in the news about the dangerous conditions in Mexico due to drug violence and warring among the drug cartels and authorities. (See: Mexico: Dealing With Drug Violence for some fascinating background on the persistent problem.)

This episode looks at the experience of one American who sees drug dealing as just a way to make some extra cash. Jake, after high school hitchhikes from his hometown of Beaumont, Texas, to Mexico. Needing money, he begins selling marijuana. He meets Steve, a tourist from Houston, who wants to buy a large supply of marijuana from him.

The tourist, Steve being paranoid about getting ripped off in the deal, brings a gun with him to the negotiations with Jake. The deal goes awry leading to a cascading series of horrible events when the police arrive. Steve shoots them, and though Jake escapes, he has been shot in the leg and critically wounded.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: In a reenactment scene, Jake (portrayed by an actor) is interrogated by a Mexican police officer. (Photo credit © Steve Kemp / Raw Television)

His scheme to leave town by dressing up as a woman fails and he is captured, thrown into jail. It is he who is accused of Steve’s crime, of shooting the police. (Steve has managed to escape capture.) Jake’s leg wound gets increasingly worse and the police are persistently pressuring him to sign a confession.

As with all of the series episodes, National Geographic: Locked Up Abroad Puerto Vallarta intersperses reenactment with interviews with the subject, who is Jake this week.

Top photo: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: In a reenactment scene, Jake (portrayed by an actor) is interrogated by two Mexican police officers. (Photo credit © Steve Kemp / Raw Television)

Watch National Geographic: Locked Up Abroad Puerto Vallarta video below.

Here are some Locked Up Puerto Vallarta Video

Video “Escape in Drag” – With a festering bullet wound, Jake plans a daring escape to save his leg Video Link



Video “Cop Killer” – A toke on the beach turns deadly when cops arrive and a gun appears Video Link



Video “Behind the Scenes – Puerto Vallarta” – Behind the Scenes of Locked Up Abroad: Puerto Vallarta Video Link

Photos and video courtesy National Geographic Channel

Related posts:

• National Geographic: Locked Up Abroad Philippines (Video, Photos)
• Locked Up Abroad Season 3 Premiere 4-1-09
• National Geographic: Locked Up Abroad Caracas (Video, Photos)

National Geographic: Locked Up Abroad Puerto Vallarta (Video, Photos)