George Jung, also known as Boston George and El Americano, was an American drug trafficker and smuggler.
He played a major role in the cocaine trade in the United States during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Along with his partner Carlos Lehder, Jung operated as part of the notorious Medellín Cartel, smuggling cocaine into the United States. Johnny Depp also portrayed the fascinating life of George Jung in the biopic Blow (2001).
File
- Full name: George Jacob Jung
- Nickname: Boston George, El Americano
- Date of birth: August 6, 1942
- Age: 79 years old (at time of death)
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Weymouth, Massachusetts, United States
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Former drug trafficker and transporter
- Height: None
- Parents: Frederick Jung (father), Ermine Jung (mother)
- Siblings: None
- Spouse: Mirtha Calderon (divorced)
- Children: 1
- Relationship status: None
- Net worth: $100 million
Early life and education
George Jacob Jung was born on August 6, 1942, in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He was raised by his parents, Frederick and Ermine Jung.
George’s father owned a small business, providing him with a stable life. Growing up, George Jung displayed natural leadership qualities, which earned him recognition from his classmates.
He was a star soccer player during his high school years at Weymouth High School.
After graduating from Weymouth High School in 1961, Jung briefly attended the University of Southern Mississippi.
However, he dropped out of school without completing his studies, turning his attention to other projects. During this time, Jung began experimenting with cannabis and discovered its profit potential.
Personal life
In terms of personal relationships, George Jung was married to Mirtha Calderon. However, they eventually divorced. George and Mirtha have a daughter named Kristina Jung.
However, public information about his daughter is limited. George Jacob Jung largely kept his personal life private, including details about his family.
Career
George Jung’s career took an illegal turn when he saw the lucrative opportunity of smuggling marijuana from California to New England.
Jung initially asked his flight attendant girlfriend to transport drugs in her suitcase on flights.
To make bigger profits, he expanded his operations to include drug smuggling from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, using stolen planes and professional pilots.
At the height of the business, Jung and his associates were said to be earning around $250,000 a month.
However, his criminal activities came to an end in 1974 when he was arrested in Chicago for smuggling 660 pounds of marijuana. This arrest led to his incarceration at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury.
Medellín Cartel:
While serving his sentence at FCI Danbury in 1974, George Jung met his future partner, Carlos Lehder.
Lehder, a German-Colombian, introduced Jung to the notorious Medellín Cartel, an international drug trafficking organization. In return, Jung shared his knowledge of smuggling techniques with Lehder.
After their release in 1976, Jung and Lehder teamed up with Pablo Escobar, becoming key figures in smuggling large quantities of cocaine into the United States.
Death
George Jung died on May 5, 2021, at the age of 79. He had been under care at his home in Weymouth, Massachusetts, due to liver and kidney failure.
Argumentative
Throughout his life, George Jung was involved in many controversies due to his involvement in drug trafficking and smuggling.
His criminal activities and ties to the Medellín cartel brought him notoriety and legal trouble.
However, George Jung’s experiences and involvement in the drug trade also formed the basis for the famous film Blow.
Social media
- Instagram Name: None
- Twitter Username: None
Net worth
According to Celebrity Net Worth, at the time of his death, George Jung’s net worth was estimated to be around $100 million.
