columbian drug lord
often referred to as 'the worlds greatest outlaw'
considered the richest and most successful criminal in history
was worth $25billion in 1989
studied political science at university in columbia
when he was young he used to steal gravestones and sand them down for resale to smugglers, sell fake lottery tickets, steal cars, kidnapping for ransom, etc
became a millionaire by 22, selling and smuggling contraband
The Medellin Cartel
started his cocaine operation in 1975 (at age 26)
murdered a well known drug dealer and took control of his men
would deal with the authorities by bribing or killing off judges, policemen, etc
he would give kids money to kill policemen (600 got killed like this)
in 1987 he controlled 80% of the global cocaine market
he would build football fields, churches, etc for the local communities
La Catedral
he surrendered in 1991 and was sent to his own private luxury prison where he continued to traffic cocaine
the government tried to shut this down so he escaped
special task forces were created to track him down and stop his drug trade and it turned into a full on war
he was shot in 1993 by a columbian policeman
2 movies, "Escobar" and "Killing Pablo", were announced in 2007 but neither have been released