Jorge Valdes Pt 1: The Man Who Started The Cocaine Trade In America

·2 hr 12 min·5 clips

Meet Jorge Valdes, the man who launched the cocaine trade in the 1970s and inspired the Medellin Cartel.

This episode features Jorge Valdes, a figure credited with pioneering the U.S. cocaine trade in the 1970s, interviewed by host Nelson Rodriguez Jr. Valdes is known from documentaries like "Cocaine Cowboys" and "Kings of Miami." The conversation promises exclusive details and a new perspective on his history. The discussion centers on Valdes's early role in establishing the cocaine market that later fueled the Medellín Cartel. He shares personal anecdotes about his life and operations during that era. Valdes describes his current home, which includes a private speakeasy. He reveals he collects bourbon as a hobby despite not being a big drinker. A surprising insight is Valdes's claim of foundational involvement before the cartels became widely known. His description of a speakeasy in his home contrasts with his notorious past. The hobby of collecting premium alcohol while abstaining from drinking presents an unexpected personal detail. His limited invitations to the speakeasy add an element of exclusivity to his current lifestyle. The tone is conversational and interview-style, with a focus on personal storytelling and revelation. The style is informal, marked by the host's enthusiastic introduction. Listeners interested in the origins of the drug trade and firsthand accounts from that era would love this episode. Those seeking highly structured narratives or critical analysis might prefer to skip it.

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