Modern WisdomHunting An Invisible Drug Lord - Jeremy McDermott | Modern Wisdom Podcast 339
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 1:23
Being sued by an “invisible” drug lord: threats, risks, and stakes
Jeremy McDermott explains that he is facing a criminal libel case brought by an alleged drug trafficker, with potential prison time and professional consequences. Chris presses him on whether he fears being killed, setting the tone for a story about intimidation, protection networks, and journalistic persistence.
- 1:23 – 4:28
Who “The Invisibles” are and why anonymity beats violence
McDermott introduces “The Invisibles,” a newer archetype of Latin American trafficker who avoids flashy narco culture and instead seeks protection through low profile and legitimacy. He contrasts this with earlier eras of overt cartel militarization in Colombia and Mexico.
- 4:28 – 6:46
Memo Fantasma’s evolution: from street-level narco to suited global operator
The discussion explores how traffickers mature away from the “coal face” of violence into management, logistics, and finance. Memo Fantasma’s personal reinvention—suits, overseas deal-making, and distance from the fields and labs—mirrors that trajectory.
- 6:46 – 9:17
The origin mystery: Sebastian Colmenares and the name that wouldn’t demobilize
McDermott recounts first noticing the alias “Sebastian Colmenares” during Colombia’s paramilitary demobilization process and how the figure never appeared publicly. The name lingered for years alongside rumors of “Memo Fantasma,” until a 2015 article suggested they were the same person.
- 9:17 – 11:21
Breaking invisibility: the reality TV screenshot that produced a face
A crucial break comes from an underworld source pointing to a hidden-camera reality show where Acevedo appears in the background. Once McDermott has an image, he can confirm identity across sources—turning rumor into actionable investigation.
- 11:21 – 14:23
Why no one would help: fear, corruption, and “surgical violence”
McDermott describes how law enforcement contacts refused to engage on Memo Fantasma, signaling deep protection. He portrays Memo as quiet but ruthlessly efficient, and suggests senior corruption across police, prosecutors, and politics—illustrated by a high-level money-laundering connection.
- 14:23 – 16:38
How Memo rose: routes, alliances, submarines, and global distribution profits
The conversation turns to Memo’s operational strengths—capturing strategic territory, innovating smuggling methods, and building international alliances. McDermott explains that controlling routes (not production or retail) is where extreme profit and power concentrate.
- 16:38 – 18:35
The Escobar “windfall” myth and verified early business foundations
Chris raises a story that Memo gained a fortune during the chaos after Escobar’s death; McDermott treats it as plausible but not fully provable. What is confirmed is Memo’s return with capital, creation of companies, and establishment of a local drug lab to scale independently.
- 18:35 – 21:27
Living in Colombia while investigating: family risks, threats, and resolve
McDermott explains why he continues living in Colombia despite danger: personal affinity for the country, commitment to the work, and refusal to be intimidated. He mentions moving his children abroad after renewed threats and argues that backing down would validate the weaponization of the courts.
- 21:27 – 31:28
Erasing a past: bribed prosecutors, corrupted police, and sealed US indictments
McDermott details the alleged mechanics of Memo’s invisibility: bribing prosecutors to bury records, using police contacts to derail investigations, and becoming a DEA informant that helped keep US indictments sealed. The result is a paper trail that exists but is deliberately obscured.
- 31:28 – 38:36
Following the money to a real identity: FOI requests, registries, and family networks
After finding Memo’s real name in peace-process materials, McDermott traces corporate registrations and IDs through official commerce records. From a legitimate company to relatives and proxies, the investigation expands into property acquisitions and a major Bogotá development linking powerful elites.
- 38:36 – 43:33
Madrid stakeout and confrontation: forcing contact through his lawyers
McDermott describes tracking Memo to Spain via corporate footprints, then attempting to doorstep him at protected residences. By creating pressure at Memo’s law firm, he triggers a direct phone call—a rare interaction where Memo denies everything yet reveals insider knowledge through what he doesn’t question.
- 43:33 – 53:19
Weaponized criminal libel: the vice president case and Memo’s ongoing lawsuit
McDermott explains Colombia’s criminal libel framework and why powerful figures prefer it: it shifts the burden onto state investigators and doesn’t require proving falsity the way civil libel does. He outlines his strategy—make the case high-profile, rely on pro bono counsel, and continue publishing despite legal intimidation.
- 53:19 – 57:18
How real-estate laundering works: land-for-units swaps, debt payment via titles, and “legit” rents
McDermott breaks down practical laundering techniques using property development—especially deals that avoid banks and therefore avoid red flags. Ownership of offices and shops then generates legitimate rental income, and property titles can be used to settle criminal debts without cash moving.
- 57:18 – 1:04:23
What comes next: new articles, statutes of limitations, and ‘get him through the money’
McDermott previews a new multi-part series built on extensive underworld interviews and painstaking verification. Because older trafficking may face limitations periods, he argues that ongoing laundering and asset-income trails are the most viable route to accountability—an “Al Capone” approach.
