My pleasure. "For those people who believe we never actually went to Culebra and never dug up the cocaine, they're 100 percent wrong," an anonymous Homeland Security official says in Cocaine Island. Were in January 2012 now. It'sa crazy story. Lets see. But I think youre going to see a lot more of it. Interesting. You know, youve got some haters out there, but I can live with that. I think that my approach is definitely to get the subject as involved in that storytelling process as possible. Almost a decade ago, the world was gripped with anxiety as it watched the legal proceedings against a young Se, From the moment Melissa De Sousa is introduced as Murchs snarky and domineering girlfriend Shelby in 1999s The Best Man, to when she reprises her, Welcome to Whats Good, a column where we break down whats soothing, distracting, or just plain good in the streaming world with a rooting fo, After 13 years, the sequel to Avatar (2009) has finally arrived. TL: I would say that I grew up watching just the big blockbusters. I dont want to put a camera in someones face if they dont want it there. If I had to change anything, I dont know that I could change anything. He knows a drug dealer in Jacksonville whos got a pilotthey fly coke up from Colombia on the regular. Thanks so much for doing this, and asking us all these questions. Hed cut his beard for a recent road trip. Theres nothing in their bags to worry about, but Rodney decides right then and there, Im not coming back here. He tells his story to the world, playing himself in the Netflix documentary. After two failed missions to Puerto Rico, Rodney hands off the map to Carlos, trusting that the smuggler wouldn't cut him out of the deal. In 2000 he started his own construction company. Little questions about the location, confirmation of detailsthe look of the cistern, for example. I take my time with everything I do. I want to make sure its right, he says. The stash of white gold would probably be worth around 2 million dollars, he said. Andy, in spite of his fucking big mouth, might prove helpful on recon. Unsure of what to do, Julian buried the bag in a succession of holes. "I don't pretend to be anything but the new image of the Florida Man, these days," Hyden said. In June, Rodney drives from a job in Crystal River to a Mexican restaurant on the south side of Jacksonville. That did sound pretty straightforward to Rodney. Who Is Connor Cruise's Fianc? Cant talk much about it, but Ive got quite a few projects in the works. Been down there twice. But that doesn't mean he'll go looking. Theres a broader application. But the problem for him is that he's talking to an undercover federal agent who was tipped off about the scheme. Rodney got married to a local girl, had a daughter with her (they each had a kid from previous relationships), built a house for his family in Gainesville, and purchased another one down in Crystal River. Did anything funny happen on set? Except that over the years, it seems, water and sand and coral have calcified into a top layer as hard as concrete. I found his number I think on his company website. In previous meetings with Danny, Rodney had been firm about wanting to work with a pilot he knew personally, but Danny has persuaded him to meet with some experienced drug-running pros. Still, he admits: "It was fun. So you wanted a chance to tell the story in your own words? No side effects, no drip and all that stuff. I just cold-called the guy. So where is Rodney Hyden in 2019? If I had to do it all over again, maybe I should have given it just a little more thought. "I have never had a case this bizarre," said Special Agent Ryan McEnany, with ICE Homeland Security Investigations. "That ground is rock! The doc, out Mar. The documentary ends by zooming into satellite map images of the exact location, followed by coordinates: 18.308281 degrees North, -65.282656 degrees West. Theo, one question I like to ask all filmmakers that I talk to, what movies and directors would you consider as the most prolific influences over you? "I was just ticked off at doing this heavy duty activity. Ten years later, Julian would tell the story in a new town, where construction company president Rodney Hyden heard it. How I didnt see it, how I didnt realize what was going on but out of all the bad and the ignorance and the stupidity on my part, there has been some good from this story. Where you would go. Its an invasive species, Have you seen Maura Lockhart? Full Summary RH: Go ahead, Theo. RH: Well, since you know who the police are now, youd better listen to them. Yet, what makes the story different is thetale Rodney was told by his neighbor Julian. Music critic known for his work with Grantland and the A.V. Couple of girls. Near the end of the movie, crew members asked Julian to retell his side of the story that created a firestorm. What if, Carlos suggests, we change the terms? Within hours of closing arguments, the jury issues a guilty verdict. Little twists, extra texture, and then this new chapter, the third act, starring Rodney Hyden. Rodney heads inside and finds Carlos, who hands Rodney his keys and says hell be out in a minute. It was just great. A couple of days later, Carlos calls Rodney to let him know he and Grant got the coke back without incident. WebWe have lots of information about Rodney: religious views are listed as Christian, ethnicity is Caucasian, and political affiliation is currently a registered Democrat. WebRodney Vander Hyden. Rodney had never thought seriously about it. Ive got some options here. And Rodney will lean in and quietly say, You should hear it when hes shitfaced.. Hed grown close with those folks out in Archer and had decided to move there himself. The construction business in Florida has yet to recover. (L-R) Rodney Hyden and Theo Love at a 2018 event for The Legend Of Cocaine Island. Well come back, Andy says, when Im healthy, an able hand. So blame the perfect conditions of just the right story told just the right way in just the right environment. RH: Absolutely not. Im not calling Carlos again. Though the jury rejects the claim of entrapment, the light sentence seems to spell out the truer spirit of the courts opinion. The earlyClint EastwoodItalian movies, and it brought back memories when we chose that scene to watch. Now, the good thing about Puerto Rico, Grant says, its a U.S. territory. I make documentaries and that involves getting into real peoples lives. Clearly, Howell didn't act on his highly illegal buried treasure. When the economy goes, people turn to other things, but he couldve done a lot of different things to supplement his income. RH: Who else has brought a guy in that lived it and did it, and said look, youre gonna be a part of it if you want to. Is something that we recommend people doing in the future? TL: But I think thats the point. Seen it before. But Ive been called a lot worse in the industry that I work in, so I thought that was a compliment. The silver hair down around Julians shoulders, the big Gandalf beard distracting from his slight frame, the bare feet, and always that Mason jar of wine that kept bottoming out and filling right back up again. Rodney, can you give me the condensed version of your story? Law enforcement never charged Julian, but they never officially cleared him of wrongdoing, either. Later, they pass actual bricks of cocaine in a duffel bag to Hyden, in order that he may incriminate himself. Im tired of it. Blame the snap of the fire and the warmth of the wine. And maybe we feel like booking plane tickets to Culebra. The Netflix premiere comes at a time when Florida man crimesare swarming online meme culture. Innovation there (referencing Love) made that happen. Motivations that implicitly characterize Rodney as an individual with full agency over the episode, rather than the product of a group and that groups unique regard for society. A lot of people, when they go to Florida, head to the beach. New Details About Silvia And Why Nicole Kidman Is Banned From Their Wedding, A post shared by Raoni Barone (@raonibarone), 5 Strangest, Most Bizarre Rumors About Elizabeth Holmes, Founder Of Now-Defunct Theranos, Woman Says She Quit Her Job On Her First Day After She Was Refused A Lunch Break, 'Love Island' Host Maya Jama Has A New Rule In Her Dating Life After Breakups From Ben Simmons & Stormzy, Why Everyone Turned On Mindy Kaling 8 Reasons Fans Are Calling Her Out. Its surreal. I hope the audience has half as much fun that we had making this film. This is it, man. We push deeper still and then were there. Look, man its the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life, but its a good story. Quite the novel and effective approach. Drug dealers sometimes throw things overboard or out of a plane when they think the authorities are on their trail. In the future, hell no. Rodney mentions, kind of incredulously, that during their investigation, Rawley and McEnany found their way back here to pay Julian a surprise visit. Blame it on the Airstream. After the issue with customs in the airport, Carlos says hell go by boat. We tried to make it look like a big Hollywood blockbuster which is a little bit hard to do when youre dealing with documentary subject matter. Webveronica rubio net worth; malinda sapp parents; zurich zr4 software; edta titration calculations; louisiana time zone right now am or pm. That's where he met Julian and heard about the legend of $2 million worth of cocaine buried near a sea turtle sanctuary. Rodney, we should do it together. But this opportunity, manfor some reason, I was made aware of this opportunity. New Details About The Florida Man Featured In 'The Legend Of Cocaine Island' Documentary On Netflix, A post shared by Anti-wave Podcast (@antiwavepod). RH: Well, to be honest with you, I never really thought about it again until I was approached by Dee (a drug dealer interested in partnering with Rodney to make millions off the cocaine). Two weeks later theyre back, and this time Rodney buys a shovel. His truck is right here, and Carloss gold Cavalier is over there, but there arent many other cars in the enormous prairie of blacktop. Club. TL: Im in post on my next feature, a future documentary. He slides the duffel onto the bench seat in the back. TL: We just honestly had a blast making this film. This was Danny Jimenez. TL: Yeah, weve become really good friends over the course of this. As Project Executive, he will support the Project Team by providing resources from B. H. Builders as needed. Were there any scenes that you couldnt wait to film? RH: Everybody has been asking about it. Whats Written In The Stars For Your 2023? RH: Hey, let me say this, I work with two of the most brilliant people and their staff. As the documentary shows, Hyden is still with his wife, Jamie, with whom he has one daughter, Emily. Believe what you want. Net Worth in 2021. Neither do we, but as this global sampling shows, even Charlie Sheen would be impressed. It had been his intention, hed said, to tell me his version of events in full, but not until after the trial, and then not until after the appeal of his sentence, and finally not until after his time in prison. Absolutely not. Its just part of my life and what happened in my life. In 2008, he earned an estimated $3 million as a professional athlete. WebHere are some of the phone numbers that are related to Rodney Hyden: 352-495-8590, 352-495-2365, 352-333-7716, 352-538-1768, 352-504-7085, 352-372-7424. He had never heard from me before. Which is why Rodney was taken aback one morning when a guy he barely knew approached him and said: Hey, man, I can help with that coke down in Puerto Rico. RH: Sitting in the middle of everybody with my hoodie on, nobody knew who I was, and everybody around me was cracking up. Inside according to Julian was roughly $2 million worth of cocaine. A man named Julian told him at a happy hour with a bunch of other men from Archer, Florida about a bale of cocaine that he had hidden near a sanctuary for sea turtles after it washed up on a beach. The story depicted in The Legend of Cocaine Island begins in an unassuming way. Rodney has so many things about him that are unique. It could be sent here from God, for all I know.. "Look, its the stupidest thing Ive ever done in my life; Im not proud of it," he said. Theyd do the job for us if we cut them in on some of the product. But if, in the end, were all still looking for a named thing to hang the blame on, we could do worse than this: Blame the four-mile dirt road. [Laughs] Well, there you go. The digging scene, Ill never forget it cause Theo makes you do it about a hundred times. What is the Net worth of Rodney Foster? Rodney Hyden wasnt exactly a kingpin. It appeared to have washed ashore. RH: No. Hes always quicker to laugh about himself," Love told Refinery29. Believe what you want. In many ways it makes my job a lot easier. The salient legal issue, Rosenblum argues, is whether Rodney Hyden was entrapped. Rodneys down to two employees, including himself, and billing just $600,000 a year. Lets see. One that came to mind there, you guys were watching, was itThe Good, The Bad, and The Uglyin the hotel suite? In fact, it wasnt really worth anything at all. "It would've been worth about $1.1 million," McEnany said. How much does he want? Carlos asks. Another interesting thing about it that I found really cool was the way that you did it almost as mythic storytelling. But whos Rodney to say? "Julian was sitting on a goldmine. When Danny leaned into the passenger window of Rodneys truck that morning, he said he knew a guy who could get the coke back to Florida and another guy who could sell it. That's when the fairy tale ended for Hyden. The Legend of Cocaine Island is streaming now on Netflix. His formerly booming construction business comes to a standstill. Hyden was sentenced to 60 days in prison, 5years probation and five years of community service for Habitat for Humanity for 20 hours a week. Check out our interview with Hyden and Love below we talk film-making, myth-making, great movies, theFlorida Man Challengeand much more. He said he had been waiting for someone from Hollywood to give him a call. The Legend of Cocaine Island follows construction company president Rodney Hyden, inspired to search out a bag loaded with bricks of cocaine after hearing the story from his friend, a hippy named Julian, who claims to have found the bag washed up on a beach in Puerto Rico and, unsure what to do, buries it. Hayden Winters is worth anywhere from $490,000 to $989,000. I just think it was a waste of taxpayers dollars.. I wanted to make sure it was accurate. I had a hell of a lot of fun watching it. What he didnt realize was that one of these men had tattled on him to police in advance, in exchange for leniency for a previously-committed crime. Absolutely not. The prosecution recommends forgoing the ten-year mandatory minimum, asking for thirty months, but Rosenblum argues that Rodneys skills as a general contractor will better serve the community outside prison. At some point, the kid, Andy Culpeppera self-admitted functioning drug addict, in Rodneys words; not one, in Andyshad gotten wind of the cocaine story. In March, Danny drops by again. TL: Well, you know why Rodney. And Im going, Wow, sounds like its some good stuff. Julian has never seemed to care that much about the moneyhe just loves spinning the talebut Rodney wants to make sure Julian gets his windfall while theres still time to enjoy it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. You can find her onInstagramandFacebook. You know, I think they will. He peppers him with questions about the old guy who used to live in Puerto Rico, the story that Julian tells. Now, its producers hope the film will be the next big hit on Netflix. He came home. How would you like to meet Julian?. The documentary community, they might hate us. And because Andy liked talking loose and dreaming big when he got high, Danny knew about it, too. Rodney will pay Carlos and Grant in kilos rather than dollars. He feels it in his wrists and throat. "And they did.". So for several hours each day for a decade, Julian walked the beaches of Culebra, looking for signs of turtles. It is crazy. This story could literally happen to anybody, Wess. Thank you. Hyden was arrested and facing a minimum prison sentence of 10 years. We love a greatbased on a true story flick. Or are you happy with the way everything has turned out? 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. WebAdd a bio, trivia, and more. The Legend of Cocaine Island treats Hyden's arrest by Homeland Security as entrapment. WebAs of 2023, Steven Hydens net worth is $100,000 - $1M. He takes a step back and just kinda stares at the bag, beholding for this protracted instant what hes pulled off, so fixated on the duffel that he doesnt hear the footsteps approaching, or at least not until he notices the red lasers dancing on his shirt like the mosquitoes that rule Watermelon Pond. Whats sad, Rodney tells Carlos, is that youre so good to do business with. He did, yeah, he said there were sixteen pairs, but were talking fifteen years ago, Rodney says. And Im just doing my job.". This story originally appeared in the April 2015 issue with the title The Great Cocaine Treasure Hunt.. All signs he shouldve picked up on. RH: Tell me what Im getting into first before we make that decision, Theo. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. He had a 3,600 square foot house in a very prestigious neighborhood in Gainesville, a pool, a three-car garage with a BMW and Harley in it. When asked what he was doing in Puerto Rico, Andy lies under oathbuilding sand castlesand cracks up the jury and judge. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. James Gray Made the Movie of His Life. Wed tell you more about it but we have a plane to catch and some digging to do. No, but we might dare you to, but we dont think that you should. Rawley is a young sheriff who sometimes works in an office Rodney helped build. That makes it very easy for us.. TL: No, I havent. If you knew where a million dollars' worth of blow was buried, would you go dig it up? Ex: (By John Smith, Citizen Truth). Rodney will review all contracts, estimates, schedules status reports and other documents we submit. One day, he found a plastic wrapped bale that was about the size of a large suitcase laying on the beach. TL: Not being stressed out by the drug running and all of that? Looking for that next question there. How I didnt see it, how I didnt realize what was going onbut out of all the bad and the ignorance and the stupidity on my part, there has been some good from this story. Lets see, actually, the last question I had for you guys is whats next for you? And their life with family dinners and matching recliner chairs appears excessively normal, these days. I really do. Love called Hyden one day and asked if he was interested in playing himself on the big screen. There were good years there in the early aughts when theyd do $10 million to $20 million in businesshotels, airport expansions, the new skybox at the University of Florida football stadium, a.k.a. What makes a great movie to you? But, as you'll see in the doc, things didn't work out in Hyden's favor. He didnt know that you could get to Puerto Rico without a passport. Down in Culebra, a duffel bag full of cocaine worth a small fortune is just waiting for someone to dig it up. He would transport it back into the U.S. and work with Dee to sell it and give Rodney his cut. Your email address will not be published. Like, Actually. His voice is about as excitable as Willie Nelsons. Culebra. Florida man Rodney Hyden has fallen on hard times, along with the rest of the country. He is a award-winning photographer and cinephile. There are thirty-two kilos in the ground, so thats about a million bucksespecially if they can unload some of it in New York instead of Florida. ", "Thats the great thing about Rodney. Unprepared for drug trafficking shenanigans, Hyden and Andy's search for the cocaine turns into a comedy of errors. TL: Yeah, it did. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labradorand an avid long distance runner. They couldn't find the cocaine. At one point, for example, Love filmed Hyden typing and retyping the word "cocaine" until he got the spelling right. Rodney has begun to feel a growing respect and admiration for Carlos, regarding him as something more than just a drug dealer whos warned again and again, since the first meeting at Casa Maria, that he was only there because of the money. TL: It all came down to how Rodney felt about it. Hyden traveled to Puerto Rico with a group of men and dug up the forbidden stash of drugs. "From the very first time I talked to him on the phone, he said, 'Look, man its the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life, but its a good story.' You cant sell our articles for a fee but you may place them alongside ads. Rodneys down to two employees, including himself, and billing just $600,000 a year. They split up, and he moved back to the States, eventually settling in an Airstream trailer on a big piece of land in northern Florida near a dozen new neighbors whod get together on the edge of Watermelon Pond and swap stories on Friday nights. It's safe to say they're all excited to have their hard work highlighted for the world to see. Then he buried the rest. He had a boat. Not knowing what to do, he buried the stash and returned to the States to live in a trailer. Its a modern tale of misadventure that does echo the Coens. Now gimme a second, Rodney says, I cant quite do it that quickly. The magazine with local insides,stories and travel information about the Caribbean. RH: No, absolutely not. Yeah didnt mean to imply that youre recommending it because the film doesnt. They know their motivation. All Citizen Truth original articles are licensed under a Creative Commons license provided you credit Citizen Truth and provide an active backlink. That ground is solid rock, believe me. After the 2008 financial crash, Hyden's family moved from their house with a pool and three-car garage to a double-wide trailer outside of Gainesville, Florida. One more, man. I suppose Im digging for a better explanation than I did something stupid. Rodney and I leave Rosenblums office together. I expect the cautious Rodney of the previous day, but instead: Guess who I just got off the phone with. Hey, Dan? Hyden, for one, doesn't think the bag was ever dug up by the FBI. The sudden timing isnt surprising so much as the partner he brings along: Andy Culpepper. Ill tell you that. The wind is blowing hard and sideways, forcing the plane to skirt the mountains. With the help of Deewho spends Cocaine Island behind a skull bandannaand Carlos, a supposed drug smuggler with his own airplane, Randy hunts down the buried cocaine. It's not the most flattering story, but Hyden owns up to it with a chuckle. RH: Yeah. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Ive helped a lot of families. Theyll fashion a little parachute out of a bedsheet thatll catch just enough breeze to ease her down. But then, there isnt a whole lot of sense to be made. Source: Netflix. Wayfair Huge Deal-A-Thon - Up to 60% off everything! He drove right down the center line on this movie. No, Im gonna take an early retirement. Dont care to get into that. On the way home, when they land in San Juan, customs pulls every bag off the plane and brings out a couple of German pointers. They were a little nervous when they walked up on me, Julian tells me as a light rain begins to fall. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. TL: Well, Rodney is gonna be an actor. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Less mythic was this mug shot, taken at the Alachua County jail. Because its a crazy story. "It would've been worth about $1.1 million," McEnany said.
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