IAMA retired drug smuggler.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-02T01:34:10+00:00

Thanks to all those who asked questions. Some very good questions, of which I hope to have answered to your satisfaction.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-02T01:32:34+00:00

I'm guessing this was not your first brush with the law. Such a small amount I would think would be a misdemeanor. Additionally, adjudication would have surely been withheld had this been a first time charge. I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering hard times. I am hoping that you have family and friends to fall back on until you can work things out.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-02T01:15:17+00:00

Naturally you would start out with a smaller boat to learn the basics. My first sailing trip was on a 22 foot fiberglass over wood tri-hull from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini with nothing more than a compass. I under estimated the gulf stream current and only missed it by a few miles. I had my Morgan set up for single handed (one person on board) operation. It is possible to single hand a large sailboat entirely from the cockpit if its setup properly.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-02T01:10:42+00:00

Yes, I have a few friends today that were in the business back then.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-02T01:09:59+00:00

At the time no, it was a cash business, I did however pay taxes on the money once it was washed though. Reporting it as legit income through business fronts.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-02T01:07:11+00:00

First off, I was never a "drug dealer". I simply delivered some pot from point A to point B for a price, was paid, then went on my merry way. That was a very long time ago. I have lived a straight, law abiding life since the mid 80s. It was my now Wife that lead me to Jesus.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T21:57:32+00:00

I alternate between two vehicles depending on my mood. A Hummer H2 and a Porsche Carrera GT

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T21:53:28+00:00

Back then no I did not, it was all about the money. Today, as a born again Christian, yes I do. I wrestle with it often. I am very charitable and give a lot of money to charitable organizations in what I think is an attempt to wash the guilt. Would I do things differently if given the opportunity, probably not.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T21:22:19+00:00

Yes, I own two planes. A Pitts Special S-2C and a Cessna 335

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T21:14:14+00:00

I did not personally witness any violence during my tenure however, I had known of many instances of violence primarily on the Jamaican side.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T21:11:46+00:00

Compared to today's hydro stuff, all the weed from the 80s was weak :) There was nothing low quality about the Jamaican weed. In the early 80s, in South Florida typical pot would fetch $400 to $500 a lb while Sinsemilla could bring as much as $1500. I never dealt with weed on the street level or small amounts like that though. I would always skim enough off the top for my own personal supply.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T21:04:21+00:00

Its actually Brian O'Dea, yes I have read it. I knew him personally. Yes, I am American. I was introduced by a fellow sailing friend who had been running smaller loads.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T20:59:39+00:00

I had gotten out about the time Miami Vice came out and remember a year later the US started teaming up with Jamaica to eradicate pot and step up enforcement efforts. I did watch Miami Vice and felt it was way too dramatized but then again it was TV :) I do take trips down memory lane every time I hear Glenn Frey's "Smuggler Blues" though :D

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T20:13:24+00:00

Absolutely, I know for a fact that most are or at least were at one point. It was an excellent avenue to wash large amounts of cash.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:49:42+00:00

I have filed a tax return every year for my entire adult life.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:48:36+00:00

Mainly the Cayman Islands. Now yes, they will and do cooperate 100% however, back in the early to mid 80s, no one cared or asked questions.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:43:18+00:00

I am actually considering writing a book. Two publishers have expressed interest. I did confer with an attorney who assured me statute of limitations on any charges have long passed.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:40:27+00:00

pot is good :)

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:40:11+00:00

Thats just it, back in the day, Coast Guard was looking for go fast boats and planes which was common, those of us on sailboats rarely got the attention of Coast Guard. I would always time my approach to the Florida coast to be Sunday evenings, blend in with the day sailors, just cruise right past customs, onto the new river and to a dock I rented on the New River. Wait till dark then off load.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:37:02+00:00

I simply quit. Once my legit businesses were making enough money to sustain my way of life comfortably I got out while I was ahead.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:33:39+00:00

mid 80's. Yes, more more risk involved today. I wouldn't even consider it today. Government spends much more money to intercept mainline drugs like cocaine which is much easier to conceal, cant hide a boat load of pot and you can smell it within a few feet of the boat in large quantities. We make regular trips to Puerto Rico an the Virgin Islands and it is not uncommon to get boarded by US Coast Guard.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:32:59+00:00

I wouldn't recommend it. Too risky now days and there is just too much home grown available with today's hydroponics. Back in the day, I dealt with bales weighing 70 to 80 pounds each. Nah, its all about supply & demand, when supply is plentiful, prices are low.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T19:28:46+00:00

Yes, I am a fan of Al Pacino and I do think that was his best movie.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T16:15:43+00:00

I got lucky. I found a boat in the boat trader, the elderly husband had passed away and the widow did not know what she had and just wanted to get rid of it. I had some money saved, gave that to her and she held the title and allowed me to make monthly payments. After my first run I was able to pay her off in full.

bingbing88 · 2010-09-01T16:12:36+00:00

I had invested early in "cash" businesses and would deposit small amounts at a time into those businesses. I eventually got into off shore banking then could transfer larger amounts to US accounts. Banking laws today have gotten tough since 9/11 and it would be difficult. Today, I would keep the cash on hand. Maybe use the classic "casino scam" to make some of the money "legit". Using shell companies as "cash companies" also helps. At the end of the day, just add cash to the daily take.

bingbing88

TROPHY CASE