The Highs and Lows of Cocaine Cowboy Mickey Munday

^{Filed Under: Outlaw Culture}

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Yesterday marked Mickey Munday’s 79th birthday. Once the high-flying smuggler who captivated the world with his audacious tales, Mickey now finds himself grounded behind the bars of a federal prison. This birthday marks a somber milestone in a life filled with highs and lows, adventure, and crime.

My Journey with Mickey Munday

Back in early April 2013, I was deep in the trenches of the journalism world, covering stories for The New Orleans Examiner. Having interviewed the likes of Henry Hill from “Goodfellas” fame, I had a knack for connecting with notorious figures. It was through my interview with Billy Corben, the filmmaker behind “Cocaine Cowboys,” that I got introduced to “Joyce,” Mickey’s adopted daughter and caretaker. Joyce and I quickly hit it off, and soon I found myself penning Mickey’s Wikipedia page and bio for his website.

Working on Mickey’s bio was challenging, but after a few drafts, we made it work. Joyce and I even created and managed his Facebook page, which, to my surprise, is still active today. However, things took a strange turn when Joyce suddenly abandoned the project, leaving me to manage the page alone. Bombarded with questions intended for Mickey, I eventually handed over the reins and distanced myself from the situation.

The Boastful Smuggler

Mickey Munday was considered the MacGyver of his day, renowned for his intelligence and mechanical prowess. He would ingeniously spray liquid cocaine on various surfaces, causing drug-sniffing dogs to alert on everything and effectively defeating their abilities. Mickey could manufacture and operate anything with an engine, showcasing his incredible versatility.

During the height of his operations in the early 1980s, Mickey was responsible for smuggling an estimated 38 tons of cocaine into the United States, generating billions of dollars in revenue for the Medellín Cartel. His cunning and resourcefulness made him a legend in the world of drug smuggling, earning him a prominent place in the annals of crime history.

Legal Troubles and Imprisonment

In March 2021, Mickey was arrested and charged with an automobile fraud scheme, resulting in a lengthy prison sentence. The Department of Justice cited videos and public statements where Mickey boasted about his smuggling skills. Mickey’s recent arrest and conviction have put him back behind bars, facing a sentence that could very well be a death sentence given his age and health. He is currently serving his sentence in a federal prison in Florida.

The Last Cocaine Cowboy

As one of the last surviving Cocaine Cowboys, Mickey Munday’s legacy is a complex one. His life of crime, adventure, and ultimately, incarceration, serves as a cautionary tale. Today, as he turns 79, Mickey faces the grim reality of spending his remaining years in prison, far from the skies he once dominated.

Mickey Munday’s story is a testament to the long arm of the law and the inescapable consequences of a life lived on the edge. As he celebrates his 79th birthday behind bars, it is a stark reminder that the highs of crime are always followed by the inevitable lows.

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