Howard Marks, Drug Smuggler aka 'Mr. Nice'

An Oxford university graduate in nuclear physics with a postgraduate degree in philosophy, Howard Marks is no dummy.

He developed an interest in what are coyly known nowadays as 'recreational drugs.' He started hustling at college, then quickly developed a lucrative business which morphed into drugs empire. He hid behind 43 aliases, 25 companies and 89 phone lines. He masterminded the shipping and sale of large quantities of cannabis around the world – thirty tons at a time -until he was trapped by the American DEA in 1988.

He was sentenced to 25 years in to be served at the Federal penitentiary at Terre Haute, Indiana. He was released on parole after serving 7 years.

His book. 'Mr. Nice' published in 1996 became an international best seller – and is a very good read.

Since his prison days Marks has become a journalist and showman. He now campaigns for legalisation of marijuana and liberalisation of the drug laws. Agree or disagree with his views, he's an interesting man and very entertaining.