Miami Police Sergeants Sue Over Film Depiction

Two sergeants from the Miami police, who played roles in a significant $22 million drug bust, have taken legal action against the creators of the 2026 film “The Rip.” They claim the movie inaccurately portrays corrupt police officers as being based on actual events.

The lawsuit targets Artists Equity, the production company behind the film, as well as Falco Pictures. Interestingly, Netflix, which distributed the movie, is not mentioned in this legal action.

“The Rip” advertises itself as “inspired by true events,” notably referring to how Miami-Dade’s drug squad uncovered $21.9 million hidden behind a fake wall in an orange bucket. However, the lawsuit asserts that essential details regarding the criminal activities are fictionalized.

In reality, the seizure happened in 2016 at the residence of a garden center owner believed to be involved in a marijuana trafficking operation. This was noted as the largest cash seizure in the history of the Miami-Dade Police Department, which has since transitioned to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

In the film, the drug squad members are depicted as suspecting each other of pilfering funds under false pretenses. It also introduces a fictional Drug Enforcement Administration agent linked to the murder of a Miami police lieutenant, who is later killed without due process by a character portrayed by Affleck.

The complaint states that while the film has fictional elements, it includes enough details about the actual events that could harm the reputations of the plaintiffs. This includes specific locations, the fake wall scenario, the cash discovery, and even a loaded Tech-9 firearm found alongside the money.

Smith, who oversaw the real investigation, and Santana, the lead detective that later became a sergeant, are not directly named in the movie. Nevertheless, the lawsuit insinuates that the characters played by Damon and Affleck are modeled after them.

After the film’s trailer dropped, a county prosecutor reportedly reached out to one of the plaintiffs, inquiring about any theft allegations related to the case, indicating further investigations could follow.

They allege facing inquiries about their handling of “how many buckets they kept,” if they used the seized money for home renovations, and questions regarding the police lieutenant’s murder.

After the film was released, a county prosecutor allegedly remarked to one of the sergeants, “I can’t believe you killed another police officer,” as noted in the complaint.

Additionally, the film lists department members who had no role in the investigation but apparently received consulting fees.

Smith and Santana are pursuing damages exceeding $75,000 for defamation and emotional distress. The lawsuit also criticizes Hollywood for consistently portraying police negatively, highlighting the struggle police departments face in recruitment and retention.

Damon and Affleck have discussed how police departments, in their view, are “undervalued” and “underfunded” during promotional interviews for the film.

Before filing the lawsuit, they requested a public retraction and a correction, along with a significant disclaimer to be displayed with the film or a reconsideration of its distribution.

The film’s producers contend that it’s a work of fiction with a disclaimer and the characters therein are not based on real individuals.

As per court documents, attorneys for Smith and Santana have until tomorrow to file an amended complaint addressing the judge’s jurisdiction concerns. Missing this deadline could lead to the case being dismissed.