George Jung (aka Boston George), 71, has been released from prison after serving almost two decades in jail for drug smuggling and trafficking. His story was told in the 2001 biopic, Blow, starring Johnny Depp. TMZ captured the first moments of his freedom.
Jung began his "criminal life" during the 1960s, smuggling marijuana on domestic flights from California to Massachusetts. Business was going well until he was arrested in Chicago with marijuana in his trunk. He was sentenced to federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, where he began making connections in cocaine trafficking.
He trafficked cocaine for Pablo Escobar and his Medellin cartel for more than decade. In 1994, he was arrested and sent to federal prisons in New York, Texas, and New Jersey (where he was released). He is said to have been responsible for roughly of 85 percent of the cocaine imported into the US in the '70s and '80s.
His time in prison was cut short by almost 20 years after he agreed to be a witness against his ex-partner Carlos Lehder. He was originally expected to be released in November of this year, but was released early for reasons not yet known.
According to TMZ's sources, Jung is being released to a half-way home on the West Coast "where he'll receive help transitioning back into society."
More than illuminating the story behind one of America's biggest drug smugglers, the film Blow also gave us an amazing soundtrack.
While we await more information on Jung's release, relive the best musical moments of Blow below.
"Can't You Hear Me Knocking" by The Rolling Stones
"It Ain't Me Babe" by Bob Dylan
"Strange Brew" by Cream
"Black Betty" by Ram Jam
"Blinded By The Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
"Mambo Gozon" by Tito Puente & His Orchestra
"Keep It Comin' Love" by KC & The Sunshine Band
"That Smell" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Can't You See" by The Marshall Tucker Band
Correction: Jung was arrested in 1994. A previous typo incorrectly stated the year.
