Notorious: The Top Drug Lords of All Time: #9 Griselda Blanco
Griselda Blanco aka “The Black Widow” aka “The Godmother”
Country: Colombia, USA
Product: Cocaine
Born into absolute poverty in Medellin, Griselda Blanco didn’t waste any time in joining the ranks of the criminal underground. At the age of 11 it is claimed she kidnapped a kid from a rich family, tried to ransom him and when the plan eventually fell apart she killed him. Born to an absent father and alcoholic mother she became a prostitute at the age of 12 and eventually ended up in Queens, NYC and started her career in drug smuggling. After being slammed in New York by the authorities due to growing operations, she relocated to Miami where she earned her title as “The Godmother”.
She was the first real cocaine drug lord in the US, by 1975 she was worth hundreds of millions of dollars while Pablo Escobar was still stealing cars in Medellin. Known for being responsible for over 200 assassinations during her time in Miami, she is seen as the utmost of eccentric figures in the history of drug lords. Female, bisexual, a sociopath, a relatively shadowy figure who supplied much if not of all of the cocaine to Miami in the ‘80’s, a woman who killed all three of her husbands (ie. black widow) and a ruthless bitch who according to a Miami police officer, “if you owed her money, she’d kill ya, if she owed you money, she’d kill ya”.
At her peak she raked in $1 billion per year and when locked up in federal prison it was only a measly $50 million a year. Her connections ran back to the trunk of the cocaine tree aka Don Ochoa who in turn was the supplier for Pablo Escobar. She met her demise when one of her contracted assassins decided to rat her out in favor of a plea bargain, which compelled her to lose control and concoct a hair-brained scheme that involved her kidnapping John F. Kennedy Jr. as a way to evade death penalty charges. The FBI caught wind of her machinations and stepped down on her. She was released from jail in 2004 and was immediately deported to Colombia where she is said to be today.
About: The Dope Report has compiled the definitive list of the most ruthless movers and pushers, the most innovative and sophisticated producers, suppliers, and buyers, the largest street dealers and big ballers that comprise the ultimate in drug lord lore. Some you have heard of, others you haven’t, we give you the skinny on what’s what in the highest echelons of drug kingpins.
Read #6: Jose Gonzalo Rodriguez Gacha
