Coming Clean: The True Story of a Cocaine Drug Lord and His Unexpected Encounter with God

by Jorge L. Valdés, Ken Abraham

All His Dreams for Wealth and Power Came True.
Then the Nightmare Began.

As a young man in his twenties with an insatiable thirst for money and power, Jorge Valdés worked his way up inside Colombia's powerful Medellin drug cartel. His key position as head of U.S. operations brought him into direct contact with presidents, generals, Hollywood celebrities, hired killers, and kidnappers. This Cuban immigrant, raised in poverty, was living the high life in more ways than one.

Then an incredible thing Jorge Valdés encountered a person much more powerful than the strongest drug lord, someone who offered something more satisfying than women, drugs, money, prestige, or power.

Coming The True Story of a Cocaine Drug Lord and His Unexpected Encounter with God offers an insider's view of the drug industry and the greed that drives it. More important, it weaves a compelling story of forgiveness, renewal, and hope.

Genres: Memoir, Religion

320 pages, Paperback

First published August 14, 1999

Reviews

[Nettle Soup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shocked me and inspired me. I simply thought this book would be an interesting read of a first hand account of what it was like to be in the middle of the drug boom between the 1960s-1980s. Jorge Valdes was a Cuban immigrant who rose the drug ladder and became one of the most richest, powerful drug lords of his time. What amazed me was his transformation and him reflecting that the lifestyle he was living was not meant to be his destiny. This was a great book and it made me pause and think about my own life though mine is a life on the other side of the spectrum from that type of lifestyle, it made me think all the same.

[Alicia Jauregui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know God has a master plan. Me reading this book was part of it. I loved it, had my heart racing, very deep. Had me on the edge of my seat. I cried I felt it all. It seemed as I was watching a live show. Very rough tough reality no sugar coating, all down to earth real from the heart just put out their with no holding back of any details. God bless this man. I loved this book.

[Bob Bingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author used entirely too much of the book (75-80%) to go into his sordid past. Maybe that was intended to impress the reader with how much God's grace had overcome, but frankly I wouldn't recommend this book to an immature young person. I could almost imagine a young man thinking "Wow. Why can't I spend a few years living it up like Jorge, and then go to Jesus."

[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story that proves that trouble always starts small. You dabble and next thing you know you are I over your head. I agree with another reviewer that there are too many details and may not be healthy for some readers. Main idea is that we need to stay away from trouble.

[Bonnie Meiste · Rating 5 out of 5]

True story from the 70s and 80s...great read!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite a sobering and inspiring story. By sharing his story, Jorge reminds the reader how many people in this world start out their lives in poverty and the choices they make to find better lives. Jorge's parents chose to work themselves honestly and believe in their faith in God and hard work. Jorge started innocently by trying to make some money for himself and then his family. I could honestly see how easily greed took over. I was surprised how long it took him to try using cocaine himself. It was inspirational to see him turn to God when he was at one of the lowest points in his life, and how he has worked to spread the word of God through this story and his honest work. It makes me wonder how many people turned to drugs because they either felt they had no choice to support their families or were given so few chances at honest work and felt they had no other options to survive.

[Sara Van Essendelft]

This book is a MUST READ. It is amazing to see God working through Jorge Valdez, even when it seemed as though he could not be further from his Christian upbringing. I absolutely loved this book and once again, could not put it down until I was finished.

[Perky Texan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and uplifting. Such a great story about redemption, forgiveness, and a life redeemed.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring true story about power and redemption. I really enjoyed it.

[truenorth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and inspiring read about a drug lord who just did not find satisfaction in life until he met the Lord.

[April Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent!! Not the run of the mill "I was a drug dealer then Jesus made it all better" type books. What it took this man to go through before the Lord got his attention astounded me! I was also impressed that he wrote on just because there is forgiveness of sins committed, there are still consequences to those sins. And facing those consequences is part of the process. I look forward to donating this book to a local jail & I pray it touches lives!

[Melissa Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

true story about a guy who was the head of the
panama drug cartel. his life as a drug dealer, time in panama prison being tortured, and his testimony of how god transformed his life. a real page turner - better than any tom clancey novel.

[Efrain Guzman-Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal testimony and account from a man who used to be a drug dealer and was redeemed by the grace of God!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story about a drug lord who realized that even when he had it all, he was still remarkably unhappy