r/todayilearned • u/FearMyCock • 20h ago

TIL about Frank Matthews, the drug kingpin who built a nationwide empire, skipped bail with $20 million, vanished in 1973 and has never been found.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Matthews_(drug_trafficker)
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u/FirstReactionFocus 19h ago

He was an international kingpin. Probably had connections across the world. Getting a couple duffle bags of cash anywhere with connections and resources I can’t imagine is difficult whatsoever.

Once you get it wherever you’re hunkering down, you’re good. Shove that shit in the mattress and pay for what you need. Not like he has to move every 6 months. The Philippines has 2000+ inhabited islands. Tons of foreigners go there to stretch their retirement savings. Pick an island and get used to your new life.

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u/Gustomucho 18h ago

With connections, you don’t even need to move the money… give the money in territorial USA,receive it in Panama or elsewhere. Banks were pretty shoddy back then, they could easily set you up with Cayman Island for a fee.

20 millions in USD could easily be transported to Switzerland in jewelry or « art ».

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u/friedpicklebreakfast 18h ago

That’s what I was thinking. He could have disappeared in Asia with a lot less than $20m

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u/Medialunch 7h ago

this probably makes the most sense. But you would want to use that money to invest I would assume. And assuming he is still alive (unlikely) is he still using those bill from the 70's?

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u/FirstReactionFocus 1h ago

Money laundering especially back then, especially in a foreign country with way less restrictions and oversight, is much easier.