Jorge Valdes Pt. 2: The Redemption of The Cocaine Godfather

Jorge Valdes on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drjorgeluisvaldes/ Nelson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/montanatheprophet/ Nelson Rodriguez Jr. reunites with Jorge Valdes, the original architect of the U.S. cocaine trade and a central figure in Cocaine Cowboys: Kings of Miami. While Part One told the story of his meteoric rise and fall, this episode picks up in 1984, right after Jorge is released from prison—and builds his drug empire all over again. But one night, a moment with his young daughter sparks a radical change of heart, and Jorge walks away from millions in cocaine profits—overnight. Just a few years into living a better life, the federal government comes back, this time taking everything: $66 million in assets gone in just 15 minutes of signing paperwork. Out of prison again in 1996, Jorge’s transformation begins for real. While earning his PhD behind bars, he emerges as a new man—becoming an assistant professor teaching Greek, finding love, reuniting with his children, and building a cleaning business from scratch that would eventually become an 8-figure success story. Today, Jorge lives retired in Orlando, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and man of faith. This is not just a story of crime—it’s a story of grace, grit, and redemption. Don’t miss one of the most unbelievable second acts ever told. Time Stamps 0:00 Intro 01:06 1984: Escobar, Ochoa, & Dicky Lynn 13:04 Jorge Walks Away From The Cocaine Business 20:21 Going Back To Prison And Losing Everything 27:44 Starting Over: PHD, Marriage, & The New Business 36:58 Miguel Velez: The Man Who Killed Barry Seal 46:15 Jorge’s Take On The Modern Day War On Drugs 56:11 Redemption of Cocaine Cowboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices