Khun Sa, The Golden Triangle Opium King has died at 73 in Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Burma), anonymous sources say. For decades, Khun Sa was The G of the Heroin trade in the Golden Triangle; which ecompasses the northern part of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. Mynanmar has been closed to outside journalists since the ruling junta cracked down due to recent anti-government protests.
Today, the Golden Triangle only produces about 5 percent of the world’s opium, down from 70 percent thirty years ago. Afghanistan now is the top dog poppy seed producer.
At the peak of Khun Sa’s reign, he controlled over 70 percent of the countries heroin biz. He ruled the “manor” with an army of tens of thousands and crazy heroin labs. He even had his own fiefdom, the Shan empire, in the northern reaches of Burma and fought for his people’s freedom. He is known by his people as someone who always fought for their survival, a true Man of The People. He even refered to himself as The King of the Golden Triangle.
Banksy, the dope Graffiti artist, might have been caught in a picture for the first time while painting. He was caught on a camera phone extending double yellow lines from a road on to a wall of a house to form a big yellow flower (I can’t stand camera phones).
An East London council has declared a zero tolerance policy to graffiti and street art but word on the street is the wall is private property.
This news comes after 10 of Banksy’s pieces sold for more that $900,000, well above the prediction of $600,000, like I predicted: Banksy: Art and Thieves go hand in hand.
The best part about Banksy is that he has become so embraced by the establishment that he is against. Now that’s G.
Recently, in Paris, some G’s made off with $28.4 million in gems, one of the largest jewelry thefts ever. Four men in balaclavas (ski masks for those unfamiliar with the UK crime scene) entered the Harry Winston boutique near the Champs-Elysees at 10am. The heist men then overwhelmed the six employees arriving for work and had them open the safe (smart move). It was true to “the art” as no one was harmed. Very professional with plenty of dash and style.
Interpol is now claiming that jewelry store robberies are up 20% from 2005 (coincidentally, the year The G Manifesto went online). The hot talk is now is about a “new era” of criminality in the luxury sphere. Every time I hear this, it makes me laugh.
To clue everyone in, there are a few key elements going down in The Underworld.
1) Internationally, the penalties for small heists are very similar as big ones. Anyone with any kind of pedigree is making a move on the big stuff. Being involved in a car stereo thieving cartel doesn’t hold the glamour as it did when we were 13 years old.
2) The Underworld isn’t the same place as it was for our fathers. Drugs changed everything. Too many a snitches and informers. The sons of true old-school G’s are trying to exit stage left out of “The Life” as quickly as possible. Now, what is the easiest way to do that? Exactly, Big Heists.
The Coup – Fat Cats and Bigga Fish
3) The chasm between poor and rich in this world is only growing wider. Believe it or not, most “professional” Heistmen (I am talking the crème de la crème here) have deep concern for the poor, the future of the planet and mankind in general. I personally have never had a problem redistributing some of the world’s wealth. I hate seeing malnourished kids with bloated bellys. Rich beware, there are more poor out there than you. You can thank me and “my kind” from your gated communities, suburban enclaves and lame country clubs that “The Revolution” hasn’t already come.
4) The dollar is so weak now. Every International Playboy/Heistman/G is not going to break his back in the US only to get gouged on exchange rates in Europe. Trust me, the exchange rate can really sting when you are buying some handmade suits on Savile Row, London. Hence, more International high dollar heists.
5) Most importantly, the “tech” crims are making all the long coin these days. Hacking into a banks computer and moving $15,000,000 into a numbered Swiss account is a lot easier than actually going into a bank, Prada suited down with heaters and ski masks. My peers (G’s with ties to the old-school) are feeling like we are getting evolved out. And, truthfully, we are. We are feeling the heat, and we are running for the exit doors of “The Life” as quickly as possible. Of course, the “exit doors” means living the life of a Gentleman of Leisure on some tropical beach with a couple of Latina girlfriends. So, don’t shed a tear for us, Argentinian girl. Either way, that is the main reason for the increase in high dollar heists.
N.W.A. – Appetite For Destruction (listen for Eazy E’s verse)
Right now you are seeing the last generation of true heist men out there. We are about to become extinct not because of police pressure but by technology. This is our last great chance. (Our fathers and grandfathers had it so easy.)
And why not? Most of us are living much better than fine, young, brash, and handsome like Ali in his prime. Sure, we could maybe be “tech” crims or put tech crim crews together (say that ten times fast), but there is nothing quite like being an International Playboy/ Heistman. When was the last time you saw some “hacker guy” with a model on his arm? There will never be another quite like me. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Michel Richard of Citronelle in Los Angeles once again?
I got an email today with a link to the article from Eater LA (click to read) about the rumors that Michel Richard might return to Los Angeles once again. The word on the street is he might team up with Jeffery Chodorow and take over at Social Hollywood. Very interesting news, to say the least. I know Citronelle in DC very well (hell, I was the top young up and coming prototype G in there, back in the day), so I made some calls and I can confirm that there is definitely some truth to the rumors.
AZ – Once Again
Michel Richard first opened a patisserie in LA in 1977. His restaurant Citrus opened on Melrose in 1987. I have heard from many old school G’s that Citrus was the dopest spot in LA when it was in full effect. Celebs and excellent cuisine, as opposed to many “dope” spots in LA today where the food often misfires like a Glock you have dropped one too many times. Richard then opened a Citronelle in Santa Barbara, which I heard from inside sources that they could never really get good staff. Stoned surfers are not always the best restaurant staff.
I became an advocate of Michel Richard when he made his flagship the Citronelle in Georgetown at Latham Hotel in Washington, D.C. I used to roll in that spot multiple times a week and peel girls like money rolls. Mark Slater on the vino hook up tip. I made Citronelle the “hub” of my hub and spoke strategy in those days. The spokes being a “secret spot” on M street and then detonating 18th street. I was the Prince of 18th street in those days. Swooping two to three girls per night on the real. So I have always had mad love for Citronelle. Although, I was angered beyond belief when they aced the “Mood Wall”. Did some solid Bean deals in the spot as well. In my opinion, Richard has helped DC become one of the top seven restaurant cities in America.
Chodorow has always had his detractors, but I have had more than my share of good memories in his spots. I used to “hold court” at China Grill in South Beach years ago. I had to stop going for a while because I made a clean sweep on the whole waitress staff (easier said than done). Mix Las Vegas has always treated me like a young prince of thieves. Social Miami at Sagamore Hotel was one of my “go to’s” last winter in South Beach. And I went to Social Hollywood once when it first opened and I swooped an actress girl, that had some horror movie to her credit, out the spot. So I do owe thanks to Chodorow.
Eazy E- Radio
Richard and Chodorow working together was the second best piece of news I heard all day (the best piece of news I have to keep on the down low, you can appreciate that, right?) . Could be like AZ and Cormega on a track. Magic. We will see. Let’s hope Michel Richard and Jeffery Chodorow impose some sort of dress code. I don’t know if I will be able to enjoy my free-range halibut paired with rhubarb coulis, corn and truffles if there are a bunch of jerkoffs in Affliction shirts, queer designer jeans, fake ice and trucker hats in the lobby.
The Rest is Up to You……..
Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your Favorite International Playboy’s Favorite International Playboy
AKA Your Favorite G’s Favorite G
AKA The Playboy you Love to Hate
The Guide to Getting More Out of Travel http://www.thegmanifesto.com
Ten Original works of art by Banksy are going up for auction on Wednesday. The pieces are expected to generate $600,000. I expect they will generate more.
This is a great opportunity as Banksy’s work is rarely up for sale. Back in April four were auctioned at Bonhams.
I have always have had much respect for Banksy in particular and street art in general. He deserves mad props for his artwork as much as he does for his anonymity. Especially in this world of weesh Celebrities.
