[reality checker]

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c..._ny_marij.html

[reality checker]

A rap mogul who helped launch Jay-Z's career was busted Friday with 42 other people when the feds rolled up a drug ring that controlled the marijuana market in New York City.

Dubbed operation "Green Venom," the feds rousted Kareem "Biggs" Burke - co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records with Shawn (Jay-Z) Carter and Damon Dash - from his home in North Bergen, N.J.

They also arrested the fearsome head of the narcotics network, Geovanny (Manny) Rodriguez Perez, and Matthew Stang, an ad executive for pot-promoting High Times magazine, and seized $1 million in drug profits and 177 pounds of pot.

"This isn't just a group that controlled one block, one neighborhood," said Jim Hayes special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"They dominated the wholesale marijuana market in New York for 20 years."

Burke has been part of the ring since 1992 and was spotted loading a bag of pot into his Toyota SUV, court papers state.

Hayes said the feds have had their eyes on Perez, aka "Shorty," for years and that he had a simple business model.

"They grow the pot, they ship it up north, they sell pot, and send the money back to South Florida," Hayes said.

And Perez was also not afraid to use muscle.

"He has either wiped out or threatened to wipe out competitors," said Hayes.

Perez trucked the pot up from Florida "in tractor trailers with cover loads of legitimate merchandize," the criminal complaint states.

They also trucked the drug money back south or used couriers who took "commercial flights with large amounts of cash hidden in their luggage."

Stang was also a long-time member of the ring, according to the criminal complaint, which revealed that he was called "Magazine Guy" and that his middle name is Woodstock.

High Times editor Dan Skye said "he was an ad guy" for the magazine and has not heard from him since his arrest.

During an 18-month operation, investigators used 20 wire taps to gather evidence against the drug suspects, Hayes said.

"Rodriguez was intercepted over the wiretaps discussing violent acts, including his threat to "hunt" a customer who was late paying for marijuana," according to court records.

Seven other suspected drug ring members were still being sought, Hayes said. The suspects face 10 years to life in prison if convicted of conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilos of marijuana.



Read more: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...#ixzz12TDrDZiH

[stonedar]

yikes 1000 kilos, crossing state lines. jeepers.

[monkeysee]

Looks like Stang got stung by the sting [operation].

https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/15/...ex.html?hpt=T2

Federal agents capped a two-year investigation Friday with dozens of arrests they say have broken open a marijuana smuggling operation that "dominated" the New York market for two decades, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement announced.

Among those arrested were Kareem "Biggs" Burke, a founder of rapper Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, and High Times magazine ad salesman Matthew "Magazine Guy" Stang, ICE said.

"These criminal organizations have allegedly dominated the illegal marijuana market in New York City for almost 20 years," said Special Agent in Charge James T. Hayes, Jr. "The high profile stature of some of the alleged members of these organizations is especially troubling."

Just as quick as these guys are out of the game, there are more people who will pop up with the product! Pointless war on drugs.

[Cruzin]

https://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10...ida.drug.bust/

CNN) -- Federal agents capped a two-year investigation Friday with dozens of arrests they say have broken open a marijuana smuggling operation that "dominated" the New York market for two decades, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement announced.

Among those arrested were Kareem "Biggs" Burke, a founder of rapper Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, and High Times magazine ad salesman Matthew "Magazine Guy" Stang, ICE said.

"These criminal organizations have allegedly dominated the illegal marijuana market in New York City for almost 20 years," said Special Agent in Charge James T. Hayes, Jr. "The high profile stature of some of the alleged members of these organizations is especially troubling."

ICE said that the suspected leader of the organization, Manuel Geovanny Rodriguez-Perez, was also arrested. Rodriguez-Perez was heard discussing violent acts on intercepted telephone calls, including a threat to "hunt" a customer who was late paying for marijuana, the agency said.

The operation, dubbed "Operation Green Venom," started in July 2008 and used more than 20 separate wiretaps to infiltrate the crews suspected of running the operation.

The operation also targeted alleged "brokers" who controlled the movement of drugs from Florida to New York and the drivers who transported them.

Arrests were made and search warrants were executed in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Law enforcement has seized nearly $2 million in proceeds from marijuana sales and more than 225 pounds of the drug since July 2008, ICE said.




"I'm not a 'Business-Man'! I'm a Business... man! Let me handle my business, damn!"

[Hash Zeppelin]

now jay-z is gonna rap about being out of weed, and high times is gonna advertise one really good defense lawyer.

[mr.haze420]

Rap mogul Kareem 'Biggs' Burke, who helped launch Jay-Z's career, arrested in NY marijuana ring bust along with matt stang, high times employee

https://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c..._ny_marij.html

[RoachClip]

Big Pimpin Baby $$$ I'm sure Jay-Z can afford to hire a dream team of defense attorney's to make sure his ass stays out of the filthy lock up if his name shows up in any little black books.

[Kush_Master]

wow why would they get involved in illegal activities if they have successful, legit business giong on. stupid? greedy? roc-a-fella records should make enough money by itself no?