Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Co-Founder Of Roc-A-Fella Busted In Pot Ring
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 15, 2010
Modified Oct 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 15, 2010
Modified Oct 15, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Rap mogul Kareem “Biggs” Burke, one of the co-founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, was among 43 people arrested today in a massive marijuana wholesale ring based in New York and Florida. The 18-month investigation into the ring resulted in nearly $2 million in seized profits and 360 pounds of marijuana. Along with Burke, another notable bust was Matthew Stang, a writer and senior ad rep at High Times magazine. "In the case of the High Times employee, it’s a case of art imitiating real life," said Jim Hayes special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Burke was caught on a wiretap discussing "grow houses" with the ringleader, Geovanny “Manny” Rodriguez Perez, who police said used intimidation to create a super drug distribution network that has controlled the marijuana market in NYC. Burke founded Rock-A-Fella Records with Jay-Z and Damon Dash in 1996, initially as an independent outlet for Jay-Z's first record.
Tagged
bust
drug ring
high times
jay-z
Kareem “Biggs” Burke
marijuana
pot
rock-a-fella records
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
'You Can See Everything' … as long as you go to Staten Island
Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary has been selling out across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Tickets to see the film, however, are very much available in other boroughs.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 27, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .