Notorious Mr Nice Howard Marks heads North

Sep 27 2009 Sunday Sun

ONE of Britain’s most popular ex-convicts is returning to the North, which he now sees as his second home.

Howard Marks achieved notoriety as an international drug smuggler through high-profile court cases, supposed connections with groups like MI6, the IRA and the Mafia, and his eventual conviction at the hands of the American Drug Enforcement Administration.

He was said at one point to have controlled 10% of the world’s hashish trade. However, the former teacher and Oxford graduate claimed he never used violence and had refused to deal with hard drugs.

After spending seven years in jail he published his bestselling autobiography, Mr Nice, which has been turned into a film and will be released early next year.

Marks has proved a big hit on speaking tours becoming something of a cult hero and is due in the region next month.

He said: “I was astonished there was any interest in me at all. I never expected it but it seems to be the kids who are most interested.

“I just talk about my life. I suppose people find it fascinating, getting a glimpse of the drugs trade and the things I got up to.

“I have been to the North East a couple of times for gigs in the last couple of months. It’s starting to feel like my second home. I’m sure the crowd will enjoy what I have to offer them.”

During the mid-1980s he had 43 aliases, 89 phone lines and 25 companies trading throughout the world.

Bars, recording studios and offshore banks were used as money laundering vehicles for his dope dealing.