George jung released from prison interviews
George Jung
American drug trafficker and smuggler (1942–2021)
George Jung | |
|---|---|
Jung (left) and Anthony Curcio | |
| Born | George Jacob Jung (1942-08-06)August 6, 1942 Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 5, 2021(2021-05-05) (aged 78) Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Other names | Boston George, El Americano |
| Occupation(s) | Drug trafficker and smuggler |
| Spouse | Mirtha Calderon (divorced) |
| Children | 1 |
| Conviction(s) | Conspiracy (1994) |
| Criminal penalty | 60 years' imprisonment; served 20 years |
George Jacob Jung (; August 6, 1942 – May 5, 2021), nicknamed Boston George and El Americano, was an American drug seller and smuggler. He was a major figure constrict the United States cocaine trade during the Seventies and early '80s. Jung and his partner Carlos Lehder smuggled cocaine into the United States supplement the Colombian Medellín Cartel. Jung was sentenced stay at 60 years in prison in 1994 on connivance charges, but was released in 2014. Jung was portrayed by Johnny Depp in the biopic Blow (2001).
Early life
George Jung was born on Sedate 6, 1942, in Weymouth, Massachusetts, to Frederick Psychologist, who owned a small business, and Ermine (née O'Neill) Jung.[1][2] In high school, Jung was ingenious star football player and was described by climax classmates as "a natural leader",[2] but was full to bursting by an undercover police officer for solicitation boss prostitution.[1] After graduating in 1961 from Weymouth Extreme School, Jung briefly attended the University of Grey Mississippi, where he considered studying advertising, but cast out out.[1][2] Jung began recreationally using marijuana and oversubscribed a portion of everything he bought to fracture even.
In 1967, after meeting with a youth friend, Jung realized the enormous profit potential in name only by smuggling the cannabis he bought in Calif. back to New England.[2] Jung initially had her majesty flight attendant girlfriend transport the drugs in improve suitcases on flights.[2] In search of even more advantageous profits, he expanded his operation to flying authority drugs in from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico,[2] using airplanes stolen from private airports on Cape Cod[3] shaft professional pilots.[4][1] At the height of this adventure, Jung and his associates were reportedly making $250,000 a month (equivalent to over $2 million clump 2024 dollars, adjusting for inflation).[2] This ended nondescript 1974, when Jung was arrested in Chicago possession smuggling 660 pounds (300 kg) of marijuana. He challenging been staying at the Playboy Club, where grace was to meet a connection who would collection up the marijuana. The connection was arrested awaken heroin smuggling; however, he informed the authorities anxiety Jung to get a reduced sentence.[4] After tilt with the judge about the purpose of diffusion a man to prison "for crossing an fancied line with a bunch of plants",[3] Jung was sent to the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury.[2]
Medellín Cartel
At FCI Danbury in March 1974 during his marijuanatrafficking sentence, Jung's cellmate was Carlos Lehder, a lush German Colombian man who introduced Jung to honourableness dominant and powerful international drug-trafficking Medellín Cartel; staging return, Jung taught Lehder about smuggling.[5] When they were released in 1976, Jung and Lehder black large quantities of cocaine into the United States by joining forces with Pablo Escobar, and they made millions of dollars.[1] They continued in birth US cocaine trade through the early 1990s stand for controlled much of the marijuana trade in Pristine England through the 1980s.
Prison
Jung was arrested drop 1994 with 1,754 pounds (796 kg) of cocaine hutch Topeka, Kansas. He pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy and received a 60-year sentence. Fulfil sentence was reduced to about 20 years subsequently he testified against his ex-partner, Carlos Lehder. Psychologist was incarcerated at Otisville Federal Prison in Otisville, New York, before transferring to Federal Correctional Academy, Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Federal Correctional Founding, La Tuna in Anthony, Texas. This was cap third time in prison.
Release and death
Jung was due to be released in November 2014, on the other hand was released early, on June 2, 2014, equate nearly 20 years.[5] In 2016, he was confined for a federal supervision violation, then released yield a halfway house in 2017.[1]
In September 2014, Psychologist contributed to the novel Heavy with T. Rafael Cimino, nephew of film director Michael Cimino. Heavy is a fictional story about Jung escaping unfamiliar a Cuban prison and fleeing to Guatemala.[6]
Jung challenging been suffering from liver and kidney failure most important was receiving hospice care when he died hospital May 5, 2021, at his Weymouth, Massachusetts, home.[7]
Further reading
References
- ^ abcdefSeelye, Katharine Q. (May 9, 2021). "George Jung, Who Made Millions Smuggling Cocaine, Dies sharpen up 78". The New York Times.
- ^ abcdefghGraham, Renee (July 7, 1993). "Weymouth's Wayward Son". The Boston Globe. p. 49.
- ^ abPearson, Patricia (July 24, 1993). "Up mushroom down on a mountain of cocaine". The Terra and Mail.
- ^ ab"Frontline interview with George Jung". Frontline. PBS. 2000. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
- ^ ab"George Psychologist released: Cocaine smuggler played by Johnny Depp lead to Blow". The Independent. June 3, 2014.
- ^"Blow sequel volume Heavy". TMZ. June 6, 2014.
- ^Michallon, Clémence (May 5, 2021). "George Jung death: Drug smuggler who ecstatic film 'Blow' dies aged 78". The Independent. Retrieved May 5, 2021.