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The King of The Underground: Tampa's COKE KINGPIN Tells All
John "Poet" Thorton on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/johnpoetthornton/
Nelson on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/montanatheprophet/
John "Poet" Thorton News Article
https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2008/05/02/10-years-for-murder-attempt/
On this explosive episode of Honor Among Thieves, host Nelson Rodriguez Jr. sits down with John "Poet" Thornton, infamously known as The White Tony Montana and King of the Underground. Once dubbed by local newspapers as the leader of "The Society", Poet ran one of Tampa’s largest underground coke empires, distributing high-purity product through over 30 nightclubs across the city. His drug network eventually expanded into New York, Louisiana, Alabama, and more—turning a solo pill hustle into a multi-state coke distribution empire.
In this raw and gripping interview, Poet opens up about the dark reality of drug trafficking, the emotional breakdown that came after losing the love of his life, and how it led to a spiral that ended in a near-fatal attempt on someone's life. This is the rise, fall, and near self-destruction of a man once feared in the streets and revered in the club scene.
Stay tuned for Part Two, where Poet details his time in federal prison, gang life behind bars, and what redemption looks like after surviving the drug game.
Time Stamps
0:00 Intro
3:58 Poet’s Childhood
12:19 Finding Drugs for the first time
21:15 The Bean Plug
38:15 Finding The Night Clubs: Distribution
49:37 The Bean Plug Retires: Meet The Plug’s Plug
53:24 Nicole: Starting The Coke Business
1:08:30 The Team Takes Form
1:12:45 The Big Time: Distribution, Moving Big Weight, & “The Society”
1:26:17 Blowing Money Like A Drug Dealer
1:31:52 Love At First Sight
1:44:09 The Night That Landed Him In Prison
1:49:19 Wanted: On The Run
1:55:10 Getting Caught: Arrested At The Border
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Published on 6 months, 1 week ago