Lex Friedman Had The #1 Drug Smuggler For Pablo Escobar On For An Absolutely Wild Podcast

Lex Friedman (MIT Scientist) is among the large crew of individuals made by Joe Rogan.

Jocko Willink, Brett Weinstein, Tim Dillon, Brandon Schaub....I could go on and on. I've been listening to Lex for a little bit now and I wouldn't really call him an "under the radar" guy anymore, but I very much enjoy his content. He's had on the likes of Ryan Hall, Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Sam Harris, Elon Musk, and more.

This week, he had on Roger Reeves....one of the most prolific drug smugglers in the history of America. 

Pablo Escobar? He worked directly with him, but to Reeves? The biggest drug lord was Jorge Ochoa:

Ochoa and Escobar came together with Carlos Lehder, Rodriguez Gacha to form an alliance which what became known as the Medellin Cartel. Reaves referred to him as the brains behind the operation.

Around 30 minutes in, Reaves got into Barry Seal:

He was another drug sumuggler for the Medellin Cartel, who eventually became an informant for the DEA. He smuggled a bunch of drugs through Arkansas, which Reaves brought up in the interview.

Barry Seal made it clear to Reaves at one point that he "couldn't be caught" in Mena, Arkansas. Why? "I am hooked up to the very top." Seal was having dinners with the governor at the time...Bill Clinton. 

(Side note: when Seal said he "couldn't be caught in Arkansas" he means that literally. Seal felt it was impossible for him to be caught in Arkansas due to his connections within the government)

Reaves went onto discuss the CIA/FBI funding their fight against communism in the 80s through selling drugs. His stories of being in prison and getting out 5 seperate times was wild as well. All around great podcast to listen to if you have the time. Roger Reaves is truly one of the most interesting man alive.