With Agency reports
Former Welsh drug smuggler turned author, Howard Marks has died.
He passed on at his home in Bridgend, South Wales after a battle with bowel cancer, aged 70.
The ‘Mr Nice’ author’s pal and founder of Loaded magazine, James Brown confirmed the news via Twitter:
Lovely, entertaining, inspiring man. Like our loaded mag Dad. A true rogue & Great writer. We all adored him RIP HM pic.twitter.com/kgtyVI7V2H
— James Brown (@jamesjamesbrown) April 10, 2016
Howard was arrested in Spain in 1988 and was extradited to Florida, where he was sentenced to 25 years at a notorious prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was released on parole after seven years for good behaviour.
In the years following his release, he penned his most well-known book, ‘Mr. Nice’. He released a follow up, titled ‘Senor Nice’, 10 years later in 2006. He was also the subject of a movie of the same name, where he was played by Rhys Ifans.
Speaking last year, Howard revealed he had come to terms with his illness.
He shared: ‘It’s impossible to regret any part of my life when I feel happy and I am happy now, so I don’t have any regrets and have not had any for a very long time.
‘Smuggling cannabis was a wonderful way of living – perpetual culture shock, absurd amounts of money, and the comforting knowledge of getting so many people stoned.’
Howard Marks is survived by his four children.
