When most people think of American drug smuggling, they picture Miami and South Florida. Few realize that for a brief, wild stretch in the 1970s, South Carolina became one of the most important gateways for marijuana and hashish in the country.

In this first installment of a two-part series, we dive into the rise of the Gentleman Smugglers—a loose network of intelligent, well-connected Southern outlaws who shunned violence, favored sailboats over speedboats, and lived lavish lives fueled by offshore smuggling runs. These weren’t cartel enforcers or street-level dealers. They were college dropouts, sailors, and risk-takers who believed they were smarter than the law.

From Columbia, South Carolina, to Jamaica, Colombia, Key West, McClellanville, and Hilton Head Island, we follow the early careers of Barry Foy, Les Riley, and their expanding circle as they build a sophisticated drug pipeline along the Southern coast. Luxury yachts, midnight offloads, close calls at sea, and staggering amounts of cash define an era when chaos, improvisation, and nerve ruled the business.

But while the smugglers were scaling up, law enforcement was quietly reorganizing. A new generation of federal investigators—and a young U.S. Attorney named Henry McMaster—were laying the groundwork for what would become Operation Jackpot, one of the largest drug investigations in American history.

This episode sets the stage: the characters, the methods, the money, and the mistakes that would eventually bring everything crashing down.

Part 2 picks up with the crackdown—fugitives, indictments, international escapes, and the final takedown. So be sure to follow the show so you get notified when Part 2 is up!

Also , come join us on Patreon at the Hidden Pine Lodge

There you will get more information about the episode and so much more content. You will also get access to our Community Discord. It's only $4 a month and it helps fund the show!