This is the story of a former street hustler, Eric G, who went from growing up in Bayside, Queens during the crack era to running multi-state marijuana operations connected to Jamaicans and eventually one of the powerful and dangerous Mexican cartels in the world before being busted and being spent to prison. He opens up about: -Growing up in a Jehovah’s Witness household in Queens during the 80s -Early exposure to drug culture through family and neighborhood influences -Starting in the game at just 13 with crack vials in South Jamaica -Moving to Atlanta and building connections with Jamaicans and the music scene (including early ties to Lil Jon & Black Market Entertainment) -Becoming a wholesale supplier, moving hundreds of pounds weekly -Trips to Mexico and meeting cartel-level suppliers -Reflecting on the dangers, close calls, and lessons learned Go Support Eric! Podcast: @innoutww IG: https://www.instagram.com/_iamericg/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By DeleteMe! Remove your personal information from the web at https://JoinDeleteMe.com/CONNECT and use code CONNECT for 20% off DeleteMe international Plans: https://international.joindeleteme.com Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Preview: Addicted to the Lifestyle 00:41 Intro to Eric G's Story 01:18 Travel, Culture & Haitian Roots 03:00 Growing Up in Queens & Early Family Life 04:56 80s Queens: Crime, Projects & Influence 05:51 Crack Era: Influence & Survival 07:01 First Steps into Drug Dealing at 13 13:32 Money & Hustling as a Teen 15:31 Leaving New York, Switching to Weed 17:52 High School Hustles & Magnet Program 19:29 College Years & Debate Team 22:04 Expanding into the College Market 24:31 Atlanta Hustle, Early Connections 27:00 Music Industry, Lil Jon & Black Market Ent. 31:09 Finding the Big Connect & Scaling Up 33:54 Marijuana Distribution Operation 36:16 Family Involvement & Smuggling Methods41:06 This Episode Is Sponsored By DeleteMe! 42:39 Cartel Connections & Sourcing from Mexico 47:01 Atlanta's Weed Market & Profits 55:30 Weed from Guadalajara: Cartel Supply 01:00:06 Scaling Up: Cash, Credit & Distribution 01:09:12 Switch to California Chronic 01:15:06 Moving Premium Cali Weed 01:20:27 Shipping Methods: Trucks & Freight 01:30:27 End of the Drug Game Era 01:33:36 Indictment & The Bust in West Virginia 01:40:06 Trial, Snitches & Legal Troubles 01:47:31 Winning Freedom: Beating the Case 02:07:17 Life After Prison & New Pursuits 02:10:09 Podcasting, Advocacy & Looking Ahead 02:12:58 Closing Thoughts & Connections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
