BBC Two is taking viewers on a trip through the hazy world of international drug smuggling with its new two-part documentary series, Hunting Mr Nice: The Cannabis Kingpin. The series, which premieres Thursday, November 21, 2024, tells the wild story of Howard Marks, a British smuggler whose cannabis empire stretched across the globe. Forget your average dealer; Marks was a true entrepreneur of the illicit, and this documentary aims to show just how he built his empire.
The first episode sets the stage, taking us back to Marks’ early days as a small-time university hustler. It traces the path that led him to mastermind an audacious plan: smuggling a whopping 10 tons of cannabis into the United States. This operation, naturally, attracted the attention of the DEA and Spanish police (he was living in Spain at the time), setting in motion a cat-and-mouse game that would define Marks’ career.
The documentary isn’t just a dry recitation of facts and figures. Hunting Mr Nice pulls back the curtain, offering a peek inside Marks’ world through interviews with his inner circle. These firsthand accounts offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of his sophisticated smuggling ring. But the story doesn’t just favour the smuggler. Law enforcement officials involved in his eventual capture also weigh in, providing a necessary counterpoint and a more complete picture of this complicated character. True crime aficionados and anyone curious about the history of drug trafficking should find this a compelling watch.
Hunting Mr Nice: The Cannabis Kingpin airs Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 9 pm on BBC Two England.
