20 Richest Drug Lords In History

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The 20 richest drug lords in history were typically respected by some and vilified by others. But they’re remembered by everyone.

George Jung-$10k Net Worth

Wikipedia

For a guy who was selling pot to make ends meet to a smuggler working with Pablo Escobar, Jung stands out as someone who tried for the big time and made it for a little while. He’s not technically one of the richest drug lords, but he’s worth noting on this list.

Nicky Barnes-$500k Net Worth

Wikipedia

Known as “Mr. Untouchable” at one time, Barnes was one of the richest drug lords of his time. After being jailed though, he did what many others have done, which is inform on his former allies to reduce his sentence.

Freeway Ricky Ross-$1M Net Worth

Wikipedia

How many other drug lords do you know who have sued a rapper for the rights to their own name? Ross sued the rapper, Rick Ross, years ago, but lost due to the First Amendment.

Al Capone-$1M Net Worth

Wikipedia

It’s interesting to note how many people don’t remember that Capone was into narcotics during his run. But he was a vicious gangster, no matter how many thought he was a philanthropist.

Frank Lucas-$1.5M Net Worth

Wikipedia

It does appear to be a trend when a drug lord is caught that they will roll over on everyone else and take others down with them. Lucas, despite being one of the richest drug lords of his time, did the same when his number was up.

Jose Figueroa Agosto-$100M Net Worth

Wikipedia

One has to wonder what should be done with drug lords when they’re caught. Sometimes it would appear that letting them serve a little time and then letting them go is what the law likes to do.

Paul Lir Alexander-$170M Net Worth

Wikipedia

What’s interesting about this guy is that he was Mossad, then DEA, before going into drug smuggling. It’s easy to think he knew all the tricks and ways to get around the law, but it’s also apparent he forgot all that when he turned his back on doing the right thing.

Zhenli Ye Gon-$300M Net Worth

Wikipedia

This case is far more recent since Gon was busted only a decade, or two, ago and is still going through the process. But the manufacture of meth is a lucrative project that many people have tried.

Joseph Kennedy-$400M Net Worth

Wikipedia

It’s still uncertain to this day what Joseph Kennedy’s involvement with the underworld was, but some are still convinced that he knew the likes of Owney Madden and had a hand in a few very illicit things. But as a drug lord, that’s still up in the air for everyone save his supporters.

Rafael Caro Quintero-$650M Net Worth

Wikipedia

It’s not everyone that can begin their own cartel and amass wealth and notice on this scale. But as one of the richest drug lords in history, Quintero started small and assuming and created his own empire, at least for a while.

Joaquin Loera-AKA Chapo Guzman-$1B Net Worth

Wikipedia

As one of the best at evading authorities, Guzman was also another individual who started his own cartel. Of course, that didn’t keep him from being arrested a few times.

Griselda Blanco-$2B Net Worth

Wikipedia

As one of the most idolized and richest drug lords, Griselda had a rather tough life growing up. But one thing is certain, she didn’t allow anyone to bully her around before she was assassinated by the Medellin cartel.

Carlos Lehder-$2.7B Net Worth

After reading material by Machiavelli and enjoying Mein Kampf, it’s not hard to reason that Carlos was a man with strong convictions. His downfall was expected at one point, though like many drug traffickers, his punishment does not sit well with some folks.

The Orejula Brothers-$3B Net Worth

Wikipedia

Anyone who thinks that a family running a drug cartel is stronger than an individual might need to take stock when looking at this case. It’s true, one of the brothers was sold out by his own bodyguard, but making this a family business was a huge mistake.

Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha-$5B Net Worth

Wikipedia

This guy was up there with Pablo Escobar and several others for a while. But like so many others before him, his career came crashing down at some point.

Khun Sa-$5B Net Worth

Wikipedia

This guy was a nightmare since not only was he trained in the ways of war, but he held onto his power for two decades. That kind of career is hard to emulate, though many have tried.

The Ochoa Brothers-$6B Net Worth

Wikipedia

After learning that the Ochoa brothers and many others worked with other drug lords for so long it’s fair to wonder how their empire could come crumbling down. Greed isn’t always good, apparently.

Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar-$6.7B Net Worth

Wikipedia

His father was a constable, which makes his criminal career a little harder to understand. But as of now h, he’s still around and still doing his own thing.

Amado Carillo Fuentes-$25B Net Worth

Wikipedia

Amado didn’t have much of a chance to steer clear of the drug life since his uncle tutored him from a young age. He didn’t live past his 40s though, since he died on an operating table trying to have his appearance altered.

Pablo Escobar-$30B Net Worth

Wikipedia

How many people smile while taking a mugshot? Escobar no doubt thought he was on top of the world for a while, but that didn’t change his fate.

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