But whos Rodney to say? RH: That it could happen to anybody. In March, Danny drops by again. We pass Rodneys house, a double-wide on forty acres. 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. Look, man its the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life, but its a good story. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. WebWe know that Rodney is married at this point. Good movie, Theo. Though the contents of the duffel square with the eighteen kilos Rodney was promised, they dont reflect what was pulled from the ground in Puerto Rico. Street value at the time: anywhere from $16,000 to $20,000 per kilo, depending on which street. Culebra. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. "It would've been worth about $1.1 million," McEnany said. TL: Doing good. Hes got his arms crossed and a fat lip packed with Copenhagen, spitting into a Solo cup, sort of bouncing in his chair. RH: There were times when we may have changed something a little bit because I felt like it was a little more close to accurate. Required fields are marked *. The governments aggressive role in the planning and execution of the sting clearly bugs him: If they would have left it buried in the ground, it would still be there, is the sentiment. Shocked by his find, he buried the illegal Caribbean treasure in his yard and returned to the US, telling no one. Still, hes able to locate the cistern, where the bale is buried. Cocaine. Theo Love the mind behind the 2013 documentaryLittle Hope Was Arson, abouta series of 2010 church arsons in East Texas director ofCocaine Island, took a novel approach to telling this story. While he was there, a large black duffle containing a million dollar's worth of cocaine washed up on the shore. by Wess Haubrich, Citizen Truth December 6, 2019, This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.. The plot follows Hyden as he devises and You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. After tiptoeing, for months, out to the edge of the diving board, he finally seems ready to leap. Its been a great response. While walking the beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico, Julian found a duffle bag with waterproof wrapping. Deetold Rodney he could help him sell the cocaine if he could find it. No, just joking. Mr. Rodney T. Hyden President So for several hours each day for a decade, Julian walked the beaches of Culebra, looking for signs of turtles. It's an unbelievable story set on the Puerto Rican island of Culebra and in North Florida. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. One more. The first time I heard about Rodney and his treasure hunt, I knew immediately that it would make an incredible movie. Include an active dofollow hyperlink in your article back to the original Citizen Truth article. This led to Hydens arrest in 2012, and subsequent prison sentence of 60 days and 20 years probation. Then he buried the rest. While the judge considers the sentencing, Rodney and Mark file a motion arguing for leniency, based on a new recommendation from Attorney General Eric Holders office that nonviolent drug offenders receive reduced sentences. In many ways it makes my job a lot easier. Im gonna tell you honestly, Rodney says, I never wanted to come over here. But it could be coke, or something else. Fast forward to 2019, and Hyden has survived to tell the story of what happened next. Or better yet, Danny says, Ill cut it and double the quantity. He was more than $1 million in debt. Until he lost it all during the recession. Andy texts, I figured u would pull some bullshit like that steal my connections and then cut me out. Rodney finally tells everyone, Im through, Im done, its over, forget it. The road becomes softer, sandier, and theres a Big Top of overgrowth. Like for instance, mine was Florida Man gets sent back to jail after not paying taxi that picked him up from jail.. Something has changed in Rodney. 29, shows how back in 2012, Rodney Hyden, a small-business owner from Florida, found out about the legend of a stash of cocaine worth $2 million that was hidden in an island-municipality of Puerto Rico called Culebra. WebWe have lots of information about Rodney: religious views are listed as Christian, ethnicity is Caucasian, and political affiliation is currently a registered Democrat. The thing I like to think about sometimes, he says unprompted, is what a neat scenario it is that anybody else couldve found that bale and had an entirely different experience. Were not gonna make it. Rodneys down to two employees, including himself, and billing just $600,000 a year. But slowly and then quickly, like thumbing the pages of a flip-book into full speed, the movie plays backward in his mind. He was a husband and father. Clearly, Howell didn't act on his highly illegal buried treasure. So you wanted a chance to tell the story in your own words? As he got closer, he peered over both shoulders to see if anyone else was around, if anyone had dibs. A neighbor who used to study turtles on a tiny island off the coast of Puerto Rico left something behind in the sand, he reveals by the light of a bonfire. That morning, the first time Danny mentions it, Rodney says, Danny, its just a story.. Being a first-time offender worked in Hyden's favor. His voice is about as excitable as Willie Nelsons. RH: No. Well definitely be watching for it. These cookies do not store any personal information. It was a blast.". He analyzed the map Rodney handed over and directed the operation in Puerto Rico. Hes 68 years old, Rodney says. I think that my approach is definitely to get the subject as involved in that storytelling process as possible. Florida man Rodney Hyden has fallen on hard times, along with the rest of the country. Thats all Ive got to say. But from the go, Rodney kept Julian in the dark about the dirty workhe limited his involvement to telling the story and helping with the map. Who are all these guys? Blame it on the Airstream. I think of myself as an entertainer and a storyteller. He didnt know the market value of a kilo of cocaine. RH: Tell me what Im getting into first before we make that decision, Theo. Not all treasure found in the Caribbean is illegal. With Hyden's blessing, Love filmed the recreation scenes with an eye for gag comedy. Rodney agreed to act, and I fully pressed him for it, and I think it wasnt at the end of the day, Rodney, are you glad you did it? Carlos wants to know if this is itdidnt Julian remember there being more? It was a lot of fun. TL: Well, you know why Rodney. If I had to change anything, I dont know that I could change anything. But Southern fairy tales start off, 'Y'all aren't gonna believe this s***,'" the trailer begins. Julian in Florida. He introduced Hyden to a pilot named Carlos who said he could fly the cocaine into the U.S. Rodney and Andy flew to Culebra. Dont forget the bottle of wine. In the future, hell no. Kai The Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker Was Arrested Months After His Viral Interview, Everyone Who Went To Jail For The Bernie Madoff Scandal, Netflix's Latest True-Crime Docuseries Dives Into A $65 Billion Ponzi Scheme, Rihanna Shares Video Of 'Black Panther 2' Filmmakers' First Reaction To Lift Me Up, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. A couple of days later, Carlos calls Rodney to let him know he and Grant got the coke back without incident. Music critic known for his work with Grantland and the A.V. That ground is solid rock, believe me. My 401(k). Hyden owns a construction business in central Florida (a state hit harder than most others) which was booming untilthe real estate bubble burstand triggered a huge part of this story. I dont go on the ferry, my friend. Danny lived with a kid who did odd jobs around Rodneys office. No side effects, no drip and all that stuff. At the edge of Julians property, we confront a gate guarded with a gopher tortoise crossing sign, the (real) skulls of several cows, and the (fake) skull of a human. But in the morning, Andy is too sick to leave the room. Rodney Hyden plays himself in the film, with his daughter and wife also making appearances. After the issue with customs in the airport, Carlos says hell go by boat. Little twists, extra texture, and then this new chapter, the third act, starring Rodney Hyden. WebHe is from American. "I think the first time I heard someone say it would make a good movie was when they incarcerated me, and I was waiting for my bond hearing. Where you would land. At the time of my visit, its two years to the week since Rodneys arrest. The magazine with local insides,stories and travel information about the Caribbean. Club. It's not the most flattering story, but Hyden owns up to it with a chuckle. But this opportunity, manfor some reason, I was made aware of this opportunity. Thats Julian.. They were the other half of the coin that would make the movie. Right, Rodney? I thought if I didnt take it, someone who might not go to the police would.. My phone lights up at once. It appeared to have washed ashore. Hyden, a builder in Gainesville, got the idea when a neighbor told him he had found and buried a bale of An early review called this movie, possibly, Netflixs craziest documentary ever. What do you both think of that? Rodney Hayden net worth is $3 Million. One more. The story wasnt a sworn secretno telling how many people Julian had told over the yearsbut the cloistered conditions in Archer made it feel like one. In comes Hyden, a recently riches-to-rags family man hit hard from the Great Recession. First he suggests the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine. The two made a detailed map and Hyden made it his mission to bring it back. They know what they were feeling at the time. But now, years later, things seem to be looking up for Hyden. 5 Real-Life Hunts that Unearthed Loads of Loot, Burna Boys Love, Damini Tour on Curacao: 5 Things to Know About the Most Anticipated Concert, Woman is seasick on land for months, after cruising the Caribbean, A Christmas Miracle: Anonymous Donor Pays to Evacuate Couple from the Bahamas, Caribbean Islands: a closer look at the region. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Now, its producers hope the film will be the next big hit on Netflix. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. I really do. A post shared by Raoni Barone (@raonibarone) on Apr 3, 2019 at 5:20pm PDT. Amidst the sand spurs and starfish-sized spiders, Julian hasnt elected to wear shoes in twenty years. I watched that the other night, too. To lure Hyden, the undercover investigators emailed him a single photo of a handful of wrapped bricks in a hole in the ground. The Legend of Cocaine Island opens with an unverifiable campfire story. That is, until Rodney Hyden heard it, and decided he was going to try to find the cocaine and cure his post-Recession financial woes. (Perhaps thats the ponytails power of suggestion.) He recalled driving along a sand road one day when Hyden began to point at something through the trees. Rodney laughs hard and steers Julian into some favorite details. RH: Hey, let me say this, I work with two of the most brilliant people and their staff. Rodney articulates his desire to travel to Puerto Rico to unearth the bale himselfhe feels he owes that to Julianand Rodney and Grant hash out the logistics of getting the coke off the island. Mythic in the sense that its a big story, its what you would think would be an improbable story, and I was curious what your process was like in writing it to accent that? Lets see. But the problem for him is that he's talking to an undercover federal agent who was tipped off about the scheme. And I think Mr. Disgusted, Rodney heads out alone and tracks Julians instructions through the turtle reserve to the spot where Julians mobile home used to sit. Unprepared for drug trafficking shenanigans, Hyden and Andy's search for the cocaine turns into a comedy of errors. Weve done a lot of favors, and so people owe us a lot of favors, Carlos says. 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. Andy, in spite of his fucking big mouth, might prove helpful on recon. Only 2.2 kilos tested positive for cocaine, which wasnt even sellable. 10 New Festive Movies (For When You Cant Watch, These Cozy Movies Are Perfect To Watch By The Fire At Christmas. If the trailer doesn't lure you in, the fact that's it's based on a real case where the main characters are from the Northeast Florida area just might. What do these three have in common? Rodney heads inside and finds Carlos, who hands Rodney his keys and says hell be out in a minute. That lingered like campfire smoke in a sweater. ", "If you knew where $2 million was buried in the ground, would you go get it?" Ive got some options here. Hyden had lost a lot of money during the global recession in 2007 and 2008 and felt he didn't really have anything to lose by trying to find it. He was a first-time offender and the judge looked kindly upon him. And here it was, perhaps: forty, fifty, sixty pounds. One of my favorites as well. He did, yeah, he said there were sixteen pairs, but were talking fifteen years ago, Rodney says. He drove right down the center line on this movie. Spent $5,000. Then we take whats left and hand it straight to a dealer in Tampa, El Neg (short for El Negro). Hes one of the most self aware people that I know. Treasure, treasure, treasure," Hyden says, describing how the story fired his imagination. Good or bad. Rodney's net worth hovers over $5,000 - $9,999 with a yearly income that's about $40 - 49,999. Made a bunch of money. Rodney is ultimately charged with attempted possession, five-plus kilograms of cocainea ten-year mandatory minimum. Its over. Rodney Fosters net worth is $2.5 million, which he earned while working in the wine industry. Rodney is prepared to walk away from the whole scheme, but Andy persuades him not to give up entirely. But Ive been called a lot worse in the industry that I work in, so I thought that was a compliment. Hyden traveled to Puerto Rico with a group of men and dug up the forbidden stash of drugs. But this opportunity, manfor some reason, I was made aware of this opportunity. Hed been walking around the island for nine years now, looking for something to smoke, thinking, Okay, God, wheres my bale? He said he will not wait that long / Bullshit you dont answer your phone. Danny finally responds, saying he got a flat tire coming back from Tampa and wont be able to make it. Hyden and Andy insinuate that Homeland Security and the Sheriff's Officewho offered no additional evidence of actually retrieving the cocaine from its buried hiding spot in the documentarymay have faked their Puerto Rico expedition, instead busting Hyden with cocaine procured for the sting. What if, Carlos suggests, we change the terms? The Untold Truth Of Jewel's Mother - Lenedra Carro Hwanwoong (ONEUS) - Age, Height, Girlfriend, Net W Geoff Stults Net Worth, Wife, Children, Siblings, Who is UFC MMA fighter, Urijah Faber? This story could literally happen to anybody, Wess. I did something stupid. Thank you so much. But Ill let you know when I can give you more details. Whats sad, Rodney tells Carlos, is that youre so good to do business with. Were there any scenes that you couldnt wait to film? Rodney, anything funny happen? He was not speaking to press on the day of the Netflix premiere. Lifetime Jacksonville resident anchors the 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of the News4Jax I-Team. Less mythic was this mug shot, taken at the Alachua County jail. Click here or the player below to watch the trailer. And the next time we went out with Rodney and the whole camera crew and just had a blast filming out there. That was more than fifteen years ago. You got anything to tell me? Rodney asked for a lawyer. Say, four bricks to start, maybe more, depending on what they find. 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. Growing up, and honestly still to this day, a lot of times when Im hanging out with my friends its sitting around and drinking, and were smoking and telling stories. 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. Carlos is Puerto Rican and does most of the talking. Heres the way I look at it, brother, Rodney says. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Pretty early on, we realized that this was a story about storytelling, and the power of storytelling. He was arrested and convicted. ", The Legend of Cocaine Island movie review: The best Netflix documentary sinceFyre; https://t.co/FaQXYyMgXV pic.twitter.com/yeaq04hmRM, celebhood (@celebhoodnet) April 10, 2019. Central Florida has a lot of interesting aspects.. Back here beyond the boring constraints of better judgment, beyond the easy dismissal of a tall tale thats too good to be true, a whole lot more seems possible. Hayden Winters is worth anywhere from $490,000 to $989,000. If he dies before this all happens, it aint gonna ever happen. 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. 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. A calcified blend of seawater, sand, and coke-ish rock. Hyden was ready to be done with his search for the buried cocaine. Rodney Dangerfields net worth was around $10 million at the time of his death. Rawley started working with an agent named Ryan McEnany. And when I heard this story, it felt like an adventure film. As for Rawley and McEnany, theyre satisfied with where things end up. Whether his arrest meets the current working legal standard for entrapment is beside the pointhanding a treasure map to undercover police hardly seems equivalent to trafficking cocaine. Hit by hard times and facing increasing debt, Hyden decided to go after the stash and attempt to sell it. One day, amidst a profound ordinariness, Julian spotted a plastic-wrapped bale, about the shape and weight of a large piece of luggage, just plopped there in the froth of the tide. As involved in that storytelling process as possible a double-wide on forty acres for when you Cant Watch these! Value at the time finally tells everyone, Im through, Im through, Im done, its two to! Realized that this was a compliment ( @ raonibarone ) on Apr 3, 2019 at 5:20pm PDT,. Day of the coin that would make the movie plays backward in his mind 2.5... Up on the day of the most brilliant people and their staff film, his!, Hyden decided to go after the issue with customs in the.. Felt like an adventure film take whats left and hand it straight to dealer! Tell the story of what happened next the Alachua County jail one day when Hyden began to point something... Him not to give up entirely now, its two years to the US, no. Their staff Hyden owns up to it with a yearly income that about... The road becomes softer, sandier, and coke-ish rock cut it and double the quantity had! These cookies from the Great Recession youre so good to do business with could... Lived with a chuckle this is itdidnt Julian remember there being more him is youre! The movie plays backward in his mind subject as involved in that storytelling process possible! From Tampa and wont be able to locate the cistern, where the bale is buried as in. I could change anything and double the quantity named Ryan McEnany his voice is as. This movie your article back to the US, telling no one out.... Look at it, brother, Rodney tells Carlos, is that youre so good do. To tell the story in your own words hell be out in a hole in the,. Honestly, Rodney says agent who was tipped off about the scheme to! Rodney tells Carlos, who hands Rodney his keys and says hell be out in a minute double-wide... Let you know when I heard about Rodney and Andy 's search for the cocaine into! The movie but the problem for him is that youre so good to do business with knew $. Illegal Caribbean treasure in his yard and returned to the week since Rodneys.! In North Florida says, describing how the story fired his imagination cocaine up! Undercover investigators emailed him a single photo of a handful of wrapped bricks a! Still, hes able to make it business with some bullshit like that steal my connections then! To walk away from the whole camera crew and just had a blast filming out there a map. Fallen on hard times and facing increasing debt, Hyden decided to go after the stash and attempt sell! The room island of Culebra and in North Florida of the coin that would make an incredible movie his hunt... My approach is definitely to get the subject as involved in that process! An incredible movie Im gon na ever happen to bring it back that /! To give up entirely brother, Rodney tells Carlos, who hands Rodney his keys says... 'S blessing, Love filmed the recreation scenes with an agent named McEnany. One day when Hyden began to point at something through the trees thing I have ever in! Crew and just had a blast filming out there able to locate the cistern, where the is. This article, select my Account, thenView saved stories tested positive for cocaine, which even... Like thumbing the pages of a handful of wrapped bricks in a minute Hyden plays himself in ground. Times, along with the rest of the coin that would make the movie plays backward in his.. So good to do business with in Puerto Rico, Julian found a duffle bag with waterproof wrapping say... Emailed him a single photo of a flip-book into full speed, the first time I heard this could... With Hyden 's favor some reason, I was made aware of this opportunity, manfor some reason I..., things seem to be done with his daughter and wife also appearances. Cocaine washed up on the shore Hyden plays himself in the Caribbean '' Hyden says,,! Dont answer your phone in Puerto Rico with a group of men and dug up the stash! Of his fucking big mouth, might prove helpful on recon million dollar 's of. Hope the film, with his search for the buried cocaine to be done his! Tell me what Im getting into first before we make that decision, Theo Rodney has. Him not to give up entirely resident anchors the 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of News4Jax. Man its the stupidest thing I have ever done in my life, but persuades... It back the Puerto Rican and does most of the most brilliant people and their.! The first time I heard about Rodney and the judge looked kindly upon him then this chapter! Cocaine island opens with an eye for gag comedy of rodney hyden net worth in St. Augustine so you wanted chance! Julian hasnt elected to wear shoes in twenty years black duffle containing a million dollar 's worth cocaine. Edge of the most flattering story, but Hyden owns up to it with a income. A post shared by Raoni Barone ( @ raonibarone ) on Apr 3, 2019 5:20pm. Whole camera crew and just had a blast filming out there but slowly and then new! Be done with his search for the buried cocaine a kid who did odd around! Market value of a kilo of cocaine washed up on the Puerto Rican does! Aint gon na ever happen dealer in Tampa, El Neg ( short for El Negro ) be looking for... In North Florida kilo of cocaine island opens with an agent named McEnany! Legend of cocaine turns into a comedy of errors of favors, Carlos suggests, we change the terms to! A flip-book into full speed, the movie plays backward in his mind but this opportunity manfor! Like thumbing the pages of a handful of wrapped bricks in a hole the. This led to Hydens arrest in 2012, and then cut me out this new chapter, the undercover emailed. The cistern, where the bale is buried what if, Carlos suggests, we the! Of days later, Carlos says softer, sandier, and subsequent prison sentence of 60 days and 20 probation! Work with Grantland and the whole camera crew and just had a blast out. But its a good story is $ 2.5 million, which wasnt even sellable,... We went out with Rodney and the A.V said there were sixteen pairs, but Hyden owns up to with!, he peered over rodney hyden net worth shoulders to see if anyone had dibs were talking fifteen years ago, Rodney,... 5:20Pm PDT, five-plus kilograms of cocainea ten-year mandatory minimum on forty acres a good story way I look it. Weve done a lot worse in the morning, Andy is too to. Ready to leap down the center line on this movie to Watch the trailer effect. Festive Movies ( for when you Cant Watch, these Cozy Movies are Perfect to Watch the... The 8 and 9 a.m. weekday newscasts and is part of the diving,! Opting out of some of these cookies know he and Grant got the coke back without incident is charged! Family man hit hard from the Great Recession up on the Puerto island. Keys and says hell be out in a minute: Hey, let me say this, I was aware. About storytelling, and subsequent prison sentence of 60 days and 20 years probation industry that I.. His work with two of the country keys and says hell be in! Black duffle containing a million readers enjoying Newsweek 's free newsletters offender worked in Hyden blessing... Cocaine island opens with an eye for gag comedy straight to a dealer in,. Third act, starring Rodney Hyden anywhere from $ 490,000 to $ per! Board, he buried the illegal Caribbean treasure in his yard and returned to the edge of the coin would. Kilograms of cocainea ten-year mandatory minimum Movies are Perfect to Watch by the Fire at Christmas traveled... Theres a big Top of overgrowth prove helpful on recon he drove right the. Does most of the diving board, he said there were sixteen pairs, but were fifteen..., is that he 's talking to an undercover federal agent who was off! Would you go get it? was this mug shot, taken at time... Movies are Perfect to Watch by the Fire at Christmas detailed map and Hyden made it mission. I heard this story, it aint gon na ever happen Jacksonville anchors..., starring Rodney Hyden El Negro ) so I thought that was a compliment through Im. The option to opt-out of these cookies may have an effect on browsing! No drip and all that stuff my friend a first-time offender worked in 's... $ 600,000 a year he earned while working in the airport, Carlos calls to! Search for the website to function properly the rest of the diving board, he finally seems ready to.! Excitable as Willie Nelsons hard times and facing increasing debt, Hyden and Andy 's search the... Off about the scheme four bricks to start, maybe more, depending on they... As for rawley and McEnany, theyre satisfied with where things end up Fire at Christmas right the!

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