Intriguing Facts About The Multi-Layered Life Of, “Mr. Nice”, Howard Marks!
Although he was front page news from time to time in the 1980s, drug-smuggler turned cult celebrity, Howard Marks, enjoyed more “mainstream” success following the release of his colorful life story in the book, Mr. Nice, which spawned many speaking tours and an eventual movie of the same name.
A sample of some Marks' "alternatice" identities.
While some may take exception to a “convicted criminal” making such huge financial return off the back of the telling of his “life of crime”, it is obvious that there was so much more to Marks than merely some dodgy drugs baron – not always good or bad, but always interesting.
You can check out the trailer for the Mr. Nice movie below.
You can check out the trailer for the Mr. Nice movie below.
OK, So Why “Mr. Nice?”
As we shall see a little later, Howard Marks had many, many identities, and for obvious reasons. One of them, however, Mr. Nice, became the most famous of these alternative names – not least because many would attest to his personality being exactly that.
Marks would obtain information in order to complete genuine passport applications through his wife Judy, who would hold “Tarot Card Readings” with Marks sitting discreetly nearby. He would listen to the details the person would reveal about themselves, sometimes “prompted” by Judy’s questions, until he had enough information to apply for a passport in that person’s name.
One of these passports, however, according to his book, came from a person named Donald Nice (pronounced the same as the French city). Marks, using artistic license perhaps, changed the pronunciation to the word, nice! You can read a little more about this here.
Marks would obtain information in order to complete genuine passport applications through his wife Judy, who would hold “Tarot Card Readings” with Marks sitting discreetly nearby. He would listen to the details the person would reveal about themselves, sometimes “prompted” by Judy’s questions, until he had enough information to apply for a passport in that person’s name.
One of these passports, however, according to his book, came from a person named Donald Nice (pronounced the same as the French city). Marks, using artistic license perhaps, changed the pronunciation to the word, nice! You can read a little more about this here.
He Was Exceptionally Clever
Graduating from Oxford University with a degree in nuclear physics (which you can read about here), and then proceeding to train as a teacher, there was no doubt whatsoever about Marks’s high intelligence. He was first in his family to go to university and regarded as a “local hero” within his community for winning his place at such a prestigious place of higher education.
Quite bizarrely, considering he had arrived at Oxford by “doing well at school” and “studying hard”, it was here where he would be introduced to cannabis for the first time in a meeting that would change the course of his life forever.
A young lady (who become his first wife briefly following his graduating university) used his window to sneak into his wing of the campus. Instantly, besotted and equally intrigued, he followed her to a room down the corridor, where he was soon introduced to his first joint.
The rest, for want of a better phrase, is history!
Quite bizarrely, considering he had arrived at Oxford by “doing well at school” and “studying hard”, it was here where he would be introduced to cannabis for the first time in a meeting that would change the course of his life forever.
A young lady (who become his first wife briefly following his graduating university) used his window to sneak into his wing of the campus. Instantly, besotted and equally intrigued, he followed her to a room down the corridor, where he was soon introduced to his first joint.
The rest, for want of a better phrase, is history!
He Was A Teacher (Kind Of!)
During his seven-year incarceration at Terre Haute, one of the most brutal, high-security prisons in the United States, Marks would revert back to his original career choice – that of a teacher. Upon leaving university, Marks was trained and qualified to teach, although for obvious reasons he eventually left the profession.
He did, however, act as a teacher to his fellow inmates, having a profound effect on their lives and teaching many of them basic literacy and other essentials so they might have a better chance at staying away from crime upon their release. Even those that were destined to remain at the facility for the rest of their lives responded well to his influence.
On several occasions, he even acted as a solicitor of sorts to inmates who wished to appeal their convictions, successfully winning appeals for some of them. It was this behavior and influence on the other prisoners that perhaps secured his eventual release from Terre Haute in 1995. He would remain a free man until his death in April 2016.
He did, however, act as a teacher to his fellow inmates, having a profound effect on their lives and teaching many of them basic literacy and other essentials so they might have a better chance at staying away from crime upon their release. Even those that were destined to remain at the facility for the rest of their lives responded well to his influence.
On several occasions, he even acted as a solicitor of sorts to inmates who wished to appeal their convictions, successfully winning appeals for some of them. It was this behavior and influence on the other prisoners that perhaps secured his eventual release from Terre Haute in 1995. He would remain a free man until his death in April 2016.
Terre Haute Prison, Indiana - one of the toughest prisons in America!
He Practiced What He Preached (and Sold!)
Marks didn’t purely smuggle and deal cannabis for monetary gain, he genuinely believed and lived the “dope smoker’s” lifestyle to the full.
In fact, as we will look at next, his connections and liking for cannabis went far deeper and was more passionate than just wanting to “get high!”
Perhaps it should be noted, and factored into his fame following his release from prison, that Marks only ever smuggled and sold cannabis, and was never connected to, directly or indirectly, any deaths or violence of any nature (although many dismiss this view entirely). Essentially, he smuggled the drug as much because he genuinely believed the law to be wrong as he did to make vast amounts of money.
For Howard Marks, like many people worldwide today, he smoked cannabis for recreational use as part of a very purposeful lifestyle choice. You can check out the video below which features Marks speaking about why he always avoided dealing in such drugs as cocaine and heroin.
In fact, as we will look at next, his connections and liking for cannabis went far deeper and was more passionate than just wanting to “get high!”
Perhaps it should be noted, and factored into his fame following his release from prison, that Marks only ever smuggled and sold cannabis, and was never connected to, directly or indirectly, any deaths or violence of any nature (although many dismiss this view entirely). Essentially, he smuggled the drug as much because he genuinely believed the law to be wrong as he did to make vast amounts of money.
For Howard Marks, like many people worldwide today, he smoked cannabis for recreational use as part of a very purposeful lifestyle choice. You can check out the video below which features Marks speaking about why he always avoided dealing in such drugs as cocaine and heroin.
He Ran For MP
In part due to his beliefs on the usage and legalization of cannabis, Marks would stand in the 1997 UK General Election. He would secure only around 1% of the vote, but in 1999 he was instrumental in forming the Legalise Cannabis Alliance (LCA), who still exist today under the name Cannabis Law Reform.
As well as arguing for the recreational use of the drug, Marks also pointed to numerous medical research that suggested it had painkilling qualities (which have continued to be proven since). Although he didn’t secure many votes, he did at the time, bring the issue into the public arena, something which continues today.
Ironically, it was Marks’ release from prison that served as his starting point for campaigning for the legalization of cannabis, claiming years later that he promised himself he would “do whatever he could for all of those he left behind (in prison)” to have the drug made legal.
As well as arguing for the recreational use of the drug, Marks also pointed to numerous medical research that suggested it had painkilling qualities (which have continued to be proven since). Although he didn’t secure many votes, he did at the time, bring the issue into the public arena, something which continues today.
Ironically, it was Marks’ release from prison that served as his starting point for campaigning for the legalization of cannabis, claiming years later that he promised himself he would “do whatever he could for all of those he left behind (in prison)” to have the drug made legal.
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Intricate And Sophisticated Ways Of “Moving Produce”
Marks was a successful smuggler due to the ever-increasing genius ways he opted to move “the goods” from one place to another.
Striping down cars and literally packing the drug in any space they could find proved successful initially. When Marks looked to take advantage of (for all intents and purposes) IRA-friendly controlled ports through his Irish contact, Jim McGann, he made sure the boxes carrying his produce “rattled” so those in customs would presume it was “goods for the cause” (weapons), and so they discreetly let it by, ready to be intercepted by Marks and his crew.
He also smuggled large amounts of cannabis into the UK inside of air-conditioning units, manufactured in Japan and intercepted by Japanese crime syndicate, the Yakuza, who packed Marks valuable cargo and sent it on its way.
When Marks decided to “branch out” into America, they utilized contacts in the music industry, packing substantial amounts of cannabis into space in huge concert speakers destined for American tours, where they would be “intercepted” by Marks on the other side of the Atlantic.You can read a little more about this here.
Striping down cars and literally packing the drug in any space they could find proved successful initially. When Marks looked to take advantage of (for all intents and purposes) IRA-friendly controlled ports through his Irish contact, Jim McGann, he made sure the boxes carrying his produce “rattled” so those in customs would presume it was “goods for the cause” (weapons), and so they discreetly let it by, ready to be intercepted by Marks and his crew.
He also smuggled large amounts of cannabis into the UK inside of air-conditioning units, manufactured in Japan and intercepted by Japanese crime syndicate, the Yakuza, who packed Marks valuable cargo and sent it on its way.
When Marks decided to “branch out” into America, they utilized contacts in the music industry, packing substantial amounts of cannabis into space in huge concert speakers destined for American tours, where they would be “intercepted” by Marks on the other side of the Atlantic.You can read a little more about this here.
He Was Many Men - Literally
At the height of his “business dealings”, Marks had around 43 different identities each with an authentic passport, allowing him to travel practically undetected and untroubled. He also had access to a total of 89 phone lines (before mobile phones), even employing the services of a professional switchboard operator proficient in Marks’s unique code words to oversee and run the network.
He also had over 20 different companies to his name in an effort to legitimize funds, with several of them even managing to succeed and turn a profit in their own right, most notably, a fashion and antiques shop in London.
Had Marks decided to “go straight” at any point after building up his initial fortune, there is little doubt he would have made a success of his businesses. His reasons for not doing so, despite persistent requests from his wife, Judy, seem to be a combination of sticking with what he knew, and simply “the rush” he experienced in moving drugs around the planet in order, in his words, “to get millions of people stoned!”
You can read a little more about Marks' exploits here.
He also had over 20 different companies to his name in an effort to legitimize funds, with several of them even managing to succeed and turn a profit in their own right, most notably, a fashion and antiques shop in London.
Had Marks decided to “go straight” at any point after building up his initial fortune, there is little doubt he would have made a success of his businesses. His reasons for not doing so, despite persistent requests from his wife, Judy, seem to be a combination of sticking with what he knew, and simply “the rush” he experienced in moving drugs around the planet in order, in his words, “to get millions of people stoned!”
You can read a little more about Marks' exploits here.
Contacts Ranged From Drug Barons To Intelligence Officers
Marks had contacts all over the planet - in and from all walks of life. In fact, MI6 would call the number of contacts he had “terrifying!”
One of his main trusted associates was Mohammed Durrani, a descendent of the famous Durrani family who controlled much of the Afghani drugs that left the country on their journey to various ports around Europe. Much of the cannabis that Marks smuggled during the 1970s and 80s, began its journey under Durrani’s care, who would stuff the goods into the cargo of Pakistani government agents and diplomats relocating to the United Kingdom.
He also worked very closely with James McGann, an Irishman with suspected ties to the IRA, who assisted in smuggling cannabis into Ireland, and then on into the UK, or (later) to the United States. Indeed, McGann would prove to be one of the most loyal of Marks’s contacts. Interestingly enough, his whereabouts are currently unknown, as he is wanted for suspected fraud in various Dutch companies set up in the 2000s.
As we will look at shortly, Marks also had connections to intelligence agencies – most prominently, MI6. Before we look at that though, one of his other main connections were well-known people of a different type.
One of his main trusted associates was Mohammed Durrani, a descendent of the famous Durrani family who controlled much of the Afghani drugs that left the country on their journey to various ports around Europe. Much of the cannabis that Marks smuggled during the 1970s and 80s, began its journey under Durrani’s care, who would stuff the goods into the cargo of Pakistani government agents and diplomats relocating to the United Kingdom.
He also worked very closely with James McGann, an Irishman with suspected ties to the IRA, who assisted in smuggling cannabis into Ireland, and then on into the UK, or (later) to the United States. Indeed, McGann would prove to be one of the most loyal of Marks’s contacts. Interestingly enough, his whereabouts are currently unknown, as he is wanted for suspected fraud in various Dutch companies set up in the 2000s.
As we will look at shortly, Marks also had connections to intelligence agencies – most prominently, MI6. Before we look at that though, one of his other main connections were well-known people of a different type.
Many “Celebrity” Contacts
Although Marks became a cult celebrity in his own right for the last two decades of his life, he had many celebrity “fans and friends”, including, Rhys Ifans who played him in the 2009 film based on his autobiography and would raise money for Marks when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Not all of them are “clean-cut” types, however. During both his dealings, but mainly during his time in Terre Haute Prison, he built close relationships with various people from “well known families” such as Joey Teste of the Lucchese family, Anthony Indelicato of the Bonanno family, James Coonan, John” Carneglia, Vittorio Amuso and Frank LoCascio – all from the Gambino family, and Gennaro Langella of the Colombo family.
His eventual ex-wife, Judy, who after sticking with Marks through all of his crime dealings, as well as his seven years behind bars (even serving a year in prison herself), divorced from him in 2005, stating in one newspaper how he had become consumed with fame and celebrity in the years following his release from jail. You can read a little more about this here.
The video below features Marks and the aforementioned Rhys Ifans being interviewed.
Not all of them are “clean-cut” types, however. During both his dealings, but mainly during his time in Terre Haute Prison, he built close relationships with various people from “well known families” such as Joey Teste of the Lucchese family, Anthony Indelicato of the Bonanno family, James Coonan, John” Carneglia, Vittorio Amuso and Frank LoCascio – all from the Gambino family, and Gennaro Langella of the Colombo family.
His eventual ex-wife, Judy, who after sticking with Marks through all of his crime dealings, as well as his seven years behind bars (even serving a year in prison herself), divorced from him in 2005, stating in one newspaper how he had become consumed with fame and celebrity in the years following his release from jail. You can read a little more about this here.
The video below features Marks and the aforementioned Rhys Ifans being interviewed.
Marks with his long-time wife, Judy.
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He “Worked” For Intelligence
Although there is much ambiguity around the claims and counterclaims as to the level of Marks involvement in MI6 projects, there is no doubt that he did have connections to the intelligence agency. In fact, it was this link to MI6 that Marks exploited greatly during his trial for drugs smuggling in 1980 in the United Kingdom – a trial that gave him his first taste of “cult hero!”
He claimed that the “completion of the drug deal” was part of the undercover work he had been asked to conduct on the aforementioned James McGann, someone suspected of involvement with the IRA, who in reality was working for (or alongside depending on who you believe) Marks. He even went as far as to secure the “services” of a Mexican secret service agent for the trial, who testified Marks was also in Mexican secret service employment (although he could not release details due to security issues).
Regardless of the truth of those claims, Marks was found not guilty in this particular case, and the charges were dropped. It is perhaps probable that Marks certainly had some level of involvement with MI6 given his contacts already in the agency, as well as his background at one of their main recruiting grounds of Oxford University. You can read a little more about these particular claims here.
Check out the videos below - various documentaries and interviews with Marks following his release from prison and his "retirement" from the drugs trade.
[Marcus Lowth July 2017]
He claimed that the “completion of the drug deal” was part of the undercover work he had been asked to conduct on the aforementioned James McGann, someone suspected of involvement with the IRA, who in reality was working for (or alongside depending on who you believe) Marks. He even went as far as to secure the “services” of a Mexican secret service agent for the trial, who testified Marks was also in Mexican secret service employment (although he could not release details due to security issues).
Regardless of the truth of those claims, Marks was found not guilty in this particular case, and the charges were dropped. It is perhaps probable that Marks certainly had some level of involvement with MI6 given his contacts already in the agency, as well as his background at one of their main recruiting grounds of Oxford University. You can read a little more about these particular claims here.
Check out the videos below - various documentaries and interviews with Marks following his release from prison and his "retirement" from the drugs trade.
[Marcus Lowth July 2017]
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