Leslie "Ike" Atkinson rose from Army sergeant to international casino hustler, to Bangkok bar owner and quarterback of one of the biggest heroin smuggling rings in history. Recruiting disillusioned black Vietnam vets from his Harlem-themed joint, Ike trafficked billions of dollars of ultra-pure Golden Triangle dope into the States - right under the nose of U ... Show More
Jul 7
The Last Don: The Godfather Who Turned Rat
In 1992, the New York Mafia is falling apart. The Gambinos are in chaos, the Colombos are at war, the Genoveses are hiding behind Chin Gigante’s bathrobe act, and the Bonannos—the forgotten, disgraced family left for dead after the Donnie Brasco disaster—are waiting on one man: J ... Show More
55m 38s
Jun 30
The Rise of China’s Biggest Mob Boss EVER
Born into a peasant family on the outskirts of Shanghai, Du Yuesheng grew up an inveterate gambler and opium addict. But as he forged alliances in the growing metropolis’ underworld, members of a secret society-turned-cartel saw promise. Before long, ‘Big Ears Du’ was running gam ... Show More
54m 46s
Sep 2021
Episode 23: Frank "PeeWee" Matthews
On episode 23 of the Sit Down, Jeff and BlackJack delve into one of the most mysterious, fascinating figures in the history of American organized crime, Frank Matthews. Frank rose from the country roads of North Carolina to New York City and created the biggest drug empire in the ... Show More
1h 23m
Mar 2023
Episode 230: The Life and Death of Drew Thornton and Cocaine Bear - Part 1
A wealthy man of power. A tempting and valuable but highly illegal product. An insatiable lust for thrills, money, and power. Along with a crew of southern gentlemen, they used their connections and cash to run the largest guns for drugs ring in the United States’ history. What h ... Show More
1h 31m
Sep 2019
“Mr. Nice” Pt. 1: Howard Marks
During the 1970s, Howard Marks became one of the biggest cannabis smugglers in Europe. Through a series of networks, which included contacts in the IRA and the Mafia, he was able to bring in upwards of 30 tons of cannabis into the UK and the United States. But after years of anon ... Show More
52m 16s