Snowblind: A Brief Career in the Cocaine Trade

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Snowblind: A Brief Career in the Cocaine Trade

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 336 ratings · 31 reviews

Robbert Sabbag’s Snowblind, the true story of an American smuggler whose intricate, ingenious scams made him a legendary figure in the cocaine world of the late sixties and early seventies, is a modern classic. In this �witty, intelligent, fiercely stylish, drug-induced exemplary tale” (Los Angeles Times), Sabbag masterfully traces Zachary Swan’s Roman-candle career, from...more

Paperback, 368 pages

Published June 8th 2010 by Grove Press (first published 1976)

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Oct 10, 2011 Ephraim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is worth reading for several reasons:
1. No matter how you feel about drugs, and cocaine in particular, the author brilliantly and ambitiously unmasks the underground netherworld of cocaine smuggling, and humanizes a notoriously inhuman trade. It takes the nonsense you see Lou Dobbs spouting, with his perfectly fake, immaculately white chompers, on CNN about the notorious killers, thugs, and illicit monsters that smuggle drugs, and makes you realize your 50 year old neighbor may be har...more This book is worth reading for several reasons:
1. No matter how you feel about drugs, and cocaine in particular, the author brilliantly and ambitiously unmasks the underground netherworld of cocaine smuggling, and humanizes a notoriously inhuman trade. It takes the nonsense you see Lou Dobbs spouting, with his perfectly fake, immaculately white chompers, on CNN about the notorious killers, thugs, and illicit monsters that smuggle drugs, and makes you realize your 50 year old neighbor may be harboring four kilos of cocaine in his fireplace logs. The man in line behind you at the voting booth could have, just the week before, walked through customs with 40 ounces of cocaine strapped to his legs. This man also pays his taxes, gives to charity and owns stock in major corporations. He is, by all intents and purposes, a functioning member of society.
2. While the book takes place in the late 60’s and early 70’s, over forty years ago, the nation’s mentality, lack of scientific evidence, political buffoonery, and the public’s blatant ignorance about “controlled substances” hasn’t changed one iota since the days of rampant hippies and the sexual revolution. Today, the general public is still just as blindly misled and misinformed by the talking heads and clueless politicians as our decidedly aged parents were back then.
3. The story is more than just a tale of drug smuggling, it’s a manifesto on our culture’s moral compass, which begs the question: why would a contributing member of society resort to drug smuggling? Boredom? A sinister heart? Greed? Or is it just that the prevailing wisdom on what’s right and what’s wrong isn’t always congruent with legality? (In all honesty, probably a combination of all these.)

The story follows the life of Zachary Swan, an east coast socialite, born into money and a flexible spending account. Swan inherits the family business of paper packaging, a lucrative business in the late 60’s with the rise of the advertising industry. He lives in an upscale apartment in NYC and he dines at the best restaurants. His friends are models, famous actors, politicians and the social elite.

Swan reaches middle age, burnt out on corporate America he begins smoking pot, which leads to drug runs to Acapulco (oh my God – the gateway drug!). And just like George Jung in Blow, the economics of blow far outweigh the economics of weed – more money for less weight. Swan flies to Colombia and, as a complete rookie, fumbles his way into building a very lucrative coke smuggling business. What’s so fascinating about Swan is the painstaking lengths he goes to out fox the feds (His drug nickname was the Silver Fox because of his grey hair and cunning ability). Whether it’s creating intricate fake identities complete with seal-proof alibis, making the “double bag” switch, or dressing up as an Olympian during the summer games to get through customs, his ingenuity to cover his tracks is awe inspiring (remember this is pre Pablo Escobar / George Jung).

Robert Sabbag combines crisp prose with relentless details without losing the reader’s interest. At no point in the book was I skipping to the end of the paragraph, which is something my impatient mind does often. Bottom line, this is one of the best drug related books I have ever read.
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Jun 02, 2010 Nicholas rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biography-memoir, business

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Nice book on the early coke trade. 'Bad guy' walks free at the end.

The dude is a mid-level trafficker. Decidedly not the story of some cocaine kingpin. Just a smart slacker.

Some funny dialog and narration.

Quotes:

"The party went out of control somewhere in the early hours before dawn, and the steps he had taken in the beginning to minimize his losses were eventually undermined by the immutable laws of chemistry - his mind, simply, had turned to soup. He was up against the law of averages with a...more Nice book on the early coke trade. 'Bad guy' walks free at the end.

The dude is a mid-level trafficker. Decidedly not the story of some cocaine kingpin. Just a smart slacker.

Some funny dialog and narration.

Quotes:

"The party went out of control somewhere in the early hours before dawn, and the steps he had taken in the beginning to minimize his losses were eventually undermined by the immutable laws of chemistry - his mind, simply, had turned to soup. He was up against the law of averages with a head full of coke. The smart money pulled out, and the odds mounted steadily. By sunrise, Swan was beaten by the spread."

"We are on the threshold of human interchange here, speech, verbal commerce along the barren avenues of Quaalude City. Communication at this level, although sophisticated in its own way, can best be described as haphazard. It is a kind of space-age remodeling of traditional counterintelligence techniques - scrambled messages, predistorted transmissions, sympathetically programmed transceivers - a kind of mojo cryptography which contains no universal cipher and is efficient only when two people are doing the same kind of dope."

"The sun was on the horizon and all seven were bobbing in the surf when in the distance an intruder appeared. A jogger. He approached, moving at an even pace along the waterline, his face flushed, his breathing steady, his body drenched with sweat and glory, radiating that all-American, infinite faith in the cardiovascular benefits of discomfort."

"[Cocaine:]'s synthetic relatives are benzocaine and procaine, the latter marketed under the trade name Novocain."

"Because the government knows nothing about drugs, it does not know that there are good reasons for not doing cocaine."

"Federal agents, those subsidized by the American taxpayer, will customarily wait for a bust before talking to such people. Rather than walk up to someone obviously headed for trouble - where they might flash a badge and say, 'Get smart, kid, it's not going to work' - they will, as a matter of policy, allow him to risk his life with the local heavies, get a few snorts of pure, and walk into jail at the airport back home. Why prevent smuggling when you can punish it - isn't that what jails are for?"

"Swan's awakening was rude and abrupt. He opened his eyes and found himself looking down the throat of a beast disguised as the American Dream."(less)

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Oct 16, 2012 Oddmonster rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: florida, nyc

If I were writing a story that involved cocaine smuggling in the 1970s, this book would be the perfect textbook: it's that detailed. How to design a smuggling operation, how to scale and implement it, how to weigh, evaluate, cut and resell cocaine, it is all covered in this book.

But the details don't stop there. No! You'll also learn about the best places to stay in Cartagena and Bogota, why no one goes to St Marta, and you'll meet a supporting cast of hundreds. Well, perhaps not hundreds, but...more

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Aug 04, 2012 M.R. Dowsing rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is one of those rare things - a good true crime book! It's an eye-opening look at the cocaine trade, focusing on the career of near-genius smuggler "Zachary Swan" in the early 70s. The book is not without it's faults - Sabbag seems a bit too keen to defend Swan instead of allowing readers to draw their own conclusions - but it's very well-written, with an engagingly dry sense of humour. There are also some fascinating passages about the history of cocaine use. It seems that the reason the d...more

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Feb 16, 2010 Marian rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Snow Blind: A Brief Career in the Cocaine Trade by Robert Sabbag is a fast-paced story that takes place in the early 1970s, during the peak of the cocaine trade. Through the eyes of smuggler Zachary Swan, Snowblind tells the partly biographical story of Swan’s intricate scams, successful maneuvers, and the actions and his relationships with his various associates, customers, and adversaries. By age 30 Swan, who is an ex- United States Marine born into an upper-class family in New York, is living...more Snow Blind: A Brief Career in the Cocaine Trade by Robert Sabbag is a fast-paced story that takes place in the early 1970s, during the peak of the cocaine trade. Through the eyes of smuggler Zachary Swan, Snowblind tells the partly biographical story of Swan’s intricate scams, successful maneuvers, and the actions and his relationships with his various associates, customers, and adversaries. By age 30 Swan, who is an ex- United States Marine born into an upper-class family in New York, is living an energetic life of high-society parties, nightly gambling, and loose women. Beginning as a small- scale marijuana dealer, Swan soon dives head-first into a career of smuggling cocaine from Bogotá, Colombia to New York City. Swan learns as he goes, surviving on ingenuity and idiot’s luck.

Over the course of Swan's career he moves thousands of kilos of cocaine into the United States and develops an network of intricate connections. This novel highlights Swan’s ability to concoct scams and create diversions that were characteristically flawless. Snowblind offers a gripping story that makes the novel impossible to put down.

Sabbag offers the reader the opportunity to examine the mind of a big-time drug smuggler; however, a reader searching for a work filled with crude language, sleazy dealers, violence, and hardship, should be advised that Snowblind is hardly a typical cocaine smuggler’s account. Many of Swan’s associates, including one of his most trusted friends Ellery, do not fit the typical description of a New York City drug dealer or smuggler. Neither man is ruthless nor violent but rather described as professional and kind. Sabbag notes, “apart from dealing, Ellery did nothing illegal…he did not fool around” (1998, p. 102). Unlike most smugglers during the time period, Swan concocted a vast array of scams to evade customs officials as well as protect his ‘mules’ or employees from prosecution. Both Ellery and Swan were still primarily motivated by the thrilling lifestyle only a high volume drug smuggler could afford: lavish spending, women, and vice. Cocaine smuggling is overly romanticized throughout the work: describing Swan passing his time by tanning on the beaches in Colombia while boozing and snorting cocaine at all hours of the day. One must question how realistic Swan’s account truly is.

Along the way, Swan encounters very few setbacks and manages to avoid almost all drug- related violence. Even the probable health repercussions of Swan’s extensive alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use are virtually absent from the novel. Sabbag does impart a small dose of reality with a few shady characters and by conveying the message that good guys (sometimes) get caught. Sabbag presents a biased account of cocaine smuggling as highly attractive with few real consequences.

Snowblind creates somewhat of a time capsule, freezing a period in history before organized crime took over the cocaine industry and the Federal government imparted many of the more serious laws restricting cocaine use and sale. All the events take place in the 1970s, and while they offer the reader a thrilling ride, they do not provide a realistic view of the inner workings of present day cocaine smuggling trade nor the true effects of cocaine on humans. Sabbag insists that the effects of cocaine upon an average individual are too subtle for many users to even notice, that cocaine has no edge (1998, pg. 72). During the 1970s, limited information was known about the long-term effects of cocaine. This drug cocaine became known as a fashionable drug for the wealthier segment of society, including celebrities (Ott Walter, 2009). Cocaine was seen as glamorous, and viewed as the caviar of the drug market. Zachary Swan worked a system that law enforcement at that time failed to understand fully (Sabbag, 1998, p. 58). Today’s smugglers must overcome many different obstacles to overcome, including drug dogs, increased boarder control by both land and by sea, and stricter penalties for smuggling illicit drugs.

Sabbag’s writing, while sharp and witty, may very easily fly right over the reader’s head. Although the author’s intention was undoubtedly to keep the reader on their toes, his style may require the reader to re-read multiple passages. In addition, there are numerous characters introduced throughout Snowblind, some of whom leave the scope of the novel rather quickly, while others remain important until end of the novel. The high turnover of more than twenty-five characters, all with complex relationships with Swan, makes the storyline difficult to follow. For a novel meant for enjoyment, one would hesitate to suggest note-taking while reading; however, to fully grasp the timeline of events a “relationship tree” may be necessary.

While reading this novel, the reader must repeatedly remind him/herself that this is a third person account. Sabbag practically praises Swan for his smarts, creativity, and ingenious smuggling scams and allows the reader to feel as if he or she, like Swan, carries the potential to become a big-time drug smuggler. An entertaining read, Snowblind begins at the end of Swan’s smuggling career as Swan tells his lawyer that even though police found several ounces of coke, “they missed the load” (Sabbag, 1998, p. 17). Knowing how Swan’s career ended only added to the thrill and satisfaction of him completing a deal. The actual ending, however, was somewhat of a disappointment and bland in comparison to the rest of the narrative.

Author Robert Sabbag takes this captivating story and creates a witty how-to manual on drug smuggling. An excellent account of one smuggler’s story, the reader feels as if they are right there beside Swan travelling to and from Colombia with large ingeniously concealed quantities of coke and suitcases neatly packed with stacks of dollar bills. No matter one’s stance on drug use and trade, a casual reader experience emotions mirroring that of Swan’s. The reader often feels nervous or anxious as Swan experiences stress at airport customs and elation after Swan successfully completes a drug deal; however, I do not agree with Sabbag’s positive portrayal of a cocaine smuggler. I believe that this novel practically entices others to join the cocaine smuggling “profession.”

Through the use and possibly overuse of the appendix Sabbag educates the reader on the history of cocaine as well as general information and countless synonyms for the proper name of numerous illegal drugs. By interrupting a riveting storyline to provide the reader with copious amounts of background information on tedious details relating to the drug trade, the author creates awkward stops and starts for the reader. While the appendix is very informative, its overuse requires the reader to constantly flip back and forth. This may bore the reader and detract from the enjoyment of reading this novel. By the end of the novel, the reader is nearly an expert on cocaine dealings as well as evading law enforcement in the quest for money.

Snowblind was a very informative and interesting read that offered a different view of the 1970s cocaine trade to which many are familiar. This thrilling novel exposed some of the many flaws in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s past attempts to battle the cocaine trade. Overall, Sabbag’s Snowblind is a must-read for anyone wanting to explore how the cocaine trade has historically played a role in shaping our global society.
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Dec 08, 2011 Kevin Connor rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fascinating. Pretty much a go-to book if you're trying to get into the mindset of one of most sophisticated and successful (he never served time) drug smugglers to ever come out of the United States. Which I am totally not, obviously. Why would I ever dream of doing that? But just hypothetically speaking... ;)

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Feb 20, 2012 Alicia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's fiction, but just barely. This is one of the better books I've read on any micro-topic (in this case the history of cocaine smuggling in the 1970s). It's funny, very informative, and high entertaining. It's a perfect travel read for a trip to Columbia.

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Aug 17, 2009 Iain rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dodgy dealings in the world of cocaine smuggling. Interesting if only to read about some of the unbelievable scams these guys got up to (and got away with). Intriguing, unsettling and a bit of a morality lesson.

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Mar 23, 2009 Jacob rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

i read this a really long time ago, it blew my mind before long before it was ever blown with actual blow, etc. etc. etc.

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Jan 16, 2013 Kelly Cross added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lee Cochenour

Older paperback picked up at friend's yard sale. Keeps you interested from the very the very start! Exceptional!

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Dec 04, 2012 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Fascinating book about a big-time cocaine dealer in the 1970s who came up with some ingenious schemes to get cocaine from Colombia to the US. I couldn't put it down!

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Dec 06, 2008 Caty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A yummy, immensely readable story of middle class drugdealing--refreshingly nonjudgemental, too.

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Jan 15, 2011 Anthony rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this book years ago. As far as books about the drug trade go this is one of the best.

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Mar 08, 2013 Marc Rocket rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book makes me want to smuggle drugs.

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Aug 02, 2011 Patrik Abrahamsson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Excellent book, worth your time

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May 04, 2012 Henry rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

bloody entertaining

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Apr 07, 2012 Joe Davis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fun read if one enjoys such erudite subjects such as the smuggling of cocaine and the associated cocaine trade in New York City circa the early 1970's.....

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Nov 10, 2009 Nathan added it · review of another edition

wow

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Nov 05, 2011 Charlie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An awesome book that details a few of the smuggling operations pulled off by Zachary Swan.

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Jan 05, 2013 Lysergius rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: culture

When it was first published in the mid-seventies, SNOWBLIND established itself as an essential piece of true crime writing. The story of the legendary Zachary Swan, a mover in the cocaine trade in the sixties who set the standard for all who followed, Sabbag's riveting account is a compulsive insight into an underworld populated by crazy characters and riven by paranoia. The result is an illuminating and wild book that influenced a generation of writers.

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Jul 28, 2011 Paul Harris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Superb. Hilarious. Scary. A real page-turner. The 'Columbia Gold' coffee scam alone is priceless!

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Jan 31, 2008 Gavin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this around the same time as I was conducting a big heroin importation trial and took inspiration from it to have my guy acquitted. It's a sort of biography of a drug trafficker and supremely well written. Enjoyed enormously, even if the poor sap whom it's about obviously had a poor lawyer and spent some time in jail.

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Dec 01, 2012 Saira Viola rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Funny , honest and beautifully written . There is a poetic fluency in the narrative that is deceptively simple . A modern classic

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Oct 03, 2012 Todd Janko rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Too bad I was "snow blind" when I read this one back in the early 90's, joking. Anyway, I can't recall the whole theme of the book, but the title basically says it. If anything you can anything out of this novel, it's a nice read for dealers finding unique ways to smuggle product.

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Jun 01, 2011 Des rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very good well written book . It is also an interesting piece of American social history ; the cocaine trade before the cartels took over. I think it's the only banned book I've read. Some idiot politicians/journalists decided that it promoted drug use - what a load of crap.

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Sep 09, 2012 Diego Munoz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2nd-floor-shelf

Good read, but i lost momentum about half way through. Would be really interesting if you had interest in knowing more about the subject matter.

Had some really interesting chapters, but I wouldn't re-read it.

3.5/5

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Jun 08, 2008 Shauna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Okay so a weird book for me to read, but I think this might be the book that the movie Blow is based off of. It has been awhile since I read it, but I remember I really liked it.

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Oct 07, 2009 Old-Barbarossa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An entertaining account of early ‘70’s entrepreneur in the South American dancing powder trade…less “Scarface”, more a very talkative version of “The Sting”.

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Mar 24, 2008 Ben rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Kids, don't try this at home!
But if you want to get the adrenalin pumping via a vicarious contact high, I suppose I can't stop you.

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Nov 16, 2010 Steve rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a great book, I was a customs officer at the time, smart and insightful.

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