Drug dealers, opium traders, opium smugglers, drug runners, etc. have grown rich, sometimes creating family dynasties, in the illicit trade of transporting drugs against the laws of 19th century China, 20th century Europe and the United States, etc. They have often been located in trading port cities like Providence, Boston, Port Royal, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Canton, Medellin, Panama City, etc.
Some of the most famous drug dealers and drug financiers throughout history: