What is the real story behind Netflix's movie 'The Rip'?

'The Rip' is based on a 2016 Miami-Dade Police raid where officers discovered over $20 million in cash hidden in Home Depot buckets.

Who was the Miami officer involved in the bust that inspired 'The Rip'?

The officer who supervised the bust was Chris Casiano, portrayed by Matt Damon in the film as Lt. Dane Dumars.

How much money was found in the real 'The Rip' bust?

Investigators found approximately $22 million in cash, along with over $600,000 at the suspect's business.

Home / Crime and Justice / Millions Hidden in Buckets: True Story Behind 'The Rip'

Millions Hidden in Buckets: True Story Behind 'The Rip'

19 Jan

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Summary

A Miami-Dade officer uncovered over $20 million in 2016.
The movie 'The Rip' is loosely based on this real-life bust.
The cash was hidden inside Home Depot buckets in a secret compartment.

Millions Hidden in Buckets: True Story Behind 'The Rip'

The Netflix crime-thriller "The Rip" draws inspiration from a significant 2016 Miami-Dade police raid that uncovered over $20 million. In reality, the money was found stuffed inside Home Depot buckets concealed within a secret attic compartment. This discovery marked the largest cash seizure in the department's history at the time, stunning veteran officers.

The film centers on Lt. Dane Dumars, a character based on Miami-Dade officer Chris Casiano, who led the Tactical Narcotics Team. While the central bust and Damon's character are rooted in truth, "The Rip" takes considerable creative liberties. The actual raid targeted Luis Hernandez-Gonzalez, owner of Blossom Experience, a store supplying indoor gardening equipment. He was under investigation for advising Miami marijuana growers.

In the film, investigators believe drug cartels hid the money, but the real millions originated from a Cuban marijuana grow-house operation. Hernandez-Gonzalez, who arrived from Cuba in 1994, earned millions and hid profits from authorities by making small, staggered bank deposits. He was later sentenced to 65 months in prison and forfeited over $18 million.