Jon Roberts
Jon Pernell Roberts (born 1948) is a noted drug trafficker who operated in the Miami area and was an associate of Colombia's Medellín Cartel during the growth phase in cocaine trafficking, 1975-1985. After his arrest, he was able to avoid a lengthly prison sentence by becoming a cooperating witness and pro-active informant for the federal government. He is the co-author with Evan Wright of American Desperado [1].
Early life
Roberts was born in New York City. After being apprehended by police for kidnapping, Roberts was given an opportunity to expunge his record with military service. Roberts claims to have served with the 101st Airborne for four years in Vietnam. He received injuries during the war that required a metal plate to be attached to his skull. After working for members of the New York Mafia as a club manager and restaurateur, he moved to Miami to distance himself from business partners he believed were targeted by rival criminals.[2]
Introduction to Cartel
As demand for cocaine increased, Jon found his Cuban suppliers unable to meet his demand. Through Jon's girlfriend, he met Mickey Munday. Munday was a trafficker who introduced Jon to Medellín agent Rafael "Rafa" Cardona Salazar. At first, Mickey was apprehensive of Jon who had driven up in a black Mercedes Benz, which Mickey described as having "drug dealer written all over it." He also stated that Jon's flashy car and flamboyant lifestyle made Jon look like "someone I wanted nothing to do with."
Nevertheless, Jon and Mickey began working under the supervision of Max Mermelstein who had an agreement with Rafael Cardona to manage the transportation of cocaine from Colombia to Miami. He then oversaw the delivery of the loads to cartel safe houses in the Miami area. Jon was able to increase his monthly cocaine business through this direct connection. Max and Mickey established the routes for trips to Colombia, using boats, tow truck companies, safe houses, and air strips, thereby setting up an effective transportation route for the cartel. Roberts claims to have made approximately $100 million USD, dealing cocaine during this period. He spent $50 million of that money on his extravagant lifestyle.
Downfall
Mermelstein acted as high level trafficker working under cartel member, Rafael Cardona Salazar and with the Munday transportation group. He was apprehended in 1985 by Miami Police as a multi-kilo dealer. Mermelstein was implicated by a California trafficker who gave information to the DEA in return for a lighter sentence. This trafficker was busted along with John DeLorean during a 25 kilo cocaine sting. Max then turned state's witness against the Medellín Cartel and supplied information that lead to the dismemberment of Medellín in Miami. On the morning of September 20, 1986, a little over a year after Mermelstein's arrest, the DEA (in conjunction with local and federal authorities) raided sites across Florida used to store and transport cocaine by Munday and Roberts. Roberts was arrested and then went on the run becoming a fugitive living in Colombia and other parts of the world. He was later apprehended and became a cooperating witness and pro-active informant for the federal government.