Early Cocaine Ventures

Inspired by marijuana smuggling methods, Lehder applied the principle to cocaine transport with Jung. Initially, they used US citizen women to carry cocaine in suitcases to the US. Soon, they acquired a small stolen plane and a professional pilot to fly cocaine into the United States via the Bahamas. This method built financial resources and connections with Colombian suppliers, involving payments to Bahamian officials for protection.

Lehder and his partners amassed fortunes, earning the nickname Los Mágicos.