I Got 24 Years for Cocaine That Never Existed

Nick Martinez joins Nelson Rodriguez Jr. on the Honor Among Thieves Podcast to explain how a planned robbery of 30 kilos of cocaine became an ATF reverse sting—and led to an original federal prison sentence of more than 24 years. Nick recounts meeting an undercover agent, preparing for a supposed stash-house robbery, and getting arrested before reaching the house. The cocaine he expected to steal never existed, but the conspiracy case changed his life. From growing up in Spanish Harlem to coming of age in Hialeah, Nick shares his experiences with Miami’s drug trade, robberies, and nightlife. He discusses selling cocaine and ecstasy, a robbery involving 3,000 pills, and his account of dealing inside Club Space before a law enforcement raid disrupted the operation. The conversation follows the decisions, friendships, and pursuit of money that eventually brought him into the federal case. Nick also takes viewers inside FDC Miami, USP Coleman, and Talladega, discussing prison politics, violence, separation from family, and the appeal that reduced his original sentence. His story continues through the challenges of incarceration and his determination to live differently after release. Subscribe to Honor Among Thieves for more firsthand true crime interviews, federal prison stories, and conversations about consequences and rebuilding a life. Subscribe to Honor Among Thieves Podcast for more true-crime interviews, federal prison stories, organized crime history, drug-trafficking cases, and raw conversations about consequences and redemption. This episode is presented for documentary, journalistic, and educational purposes. It does not promote or glorify illegal drug use, drug trafficking, identity fraud, or other criminal activity. 📌 Have an unbelievable story? Apply to be a guest: 👉 https://www.honoramongthievespodcast.com/guest Become an Honor Among Thieves Patreon Member Join The Underworld👇👇👇 https://www.patreon.com/cw/honoramongthieves?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator 👕Honor Among Thieves Merch👇 https://shop.honoramongthievespodcast.com/ 🔗 Links 📸 Nelson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/montanatheprophet/ 📸 Nick on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nickmontana305?psln=MTJjZ2szbzR2dWhp Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:57 Growing Up in Spanish Harlem & Hialeah 07:56 Stolen Cars & Hialeah Gang Life 14:36 Inside Brevard Prison’s “Gladiator School” 22:40 Fatherhood & Returning to Miami’s Drug Trade 29:08 From Marijuana to Cocaine & Crack 35:25 The 3,000-Pill Ecstasy Robbery 41:33 The ATF Reverse Sting: A 30-Kilo Robbery Setup 49:01 Federal Agents Move In: Arrest & Secret Recordings 55:29 A 15-Year Plea Becomes a 24-Year Prison Sentence 1:02:47 Doing Time With José Battle Sr. at FDC Miami 1:10:06 The Appeal That Cut 100 Months Off His Sentence 1:18:12 USP Coleman vs. Medium Security: Prison Politics 1:21:29 Nelson’s Family Connection to the Same ATF Agent 1:26:58 Coleman Prison: Extortion, Fights & A Transfer 1:31:27 Witnessing a Riot at Talladega Federal Prison 1:36:46 Joey Merlino’s Father & Young Buck: Prison Encounters 1:44:50 Leaving Federal Prison & Reuniting With His Daughter 1:47:41 Life After Prison: Freedom, Family & Redemption Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices