Steven Dixon, a former Baltimore heroin kingpin, reveals how the city’s drug trade really worked during its most notorious era—from New York suppliers and mob connections to high-purity heroin, street corners generating staggering amounts of cash, and the operation that made him millions.
He breaks down how heroin moved from New York to Baltimore, how dealers controlled territory across West Baltimore, why trusted connections mattered, and how the drug economy seen in The Wire compared to what was actually happening on the streets.
But the money and power came with a devastating price. After building a massive operation and owning more than 100 properties, Steven eventually became addicted to heroin himself—losing the empire, the money, and nearly everything else.
After years of addiction, he finally got clean, returned to school, earned a master’s degree, and dedicated his life to helping others recover through addiction treatment and behavioral health programs.
This is the inside story of Baltimore’s heroin era—from millions in drug money to addiction, recovery, and redemption.
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Recovery Facility: https://absolutehbh.com/
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00:00 Meet Steve Dixon
00:37 Baltimore's Heroin Kingpin
02:11 Reflections on the Drug Trade
03:32 Why Baltimore is a Heroin City
05:13 The Nigerian Connection
07:44 Building a Fortune
10:53 From Heroin to Fentanyl
12:07 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cash App
13:27 Growing Up in Baltimore
16:04 A Life on the Streets
19:03 Acquiring Turf and Connections
21:27 Regrets and Community Impact
23:35 Keys to Success in the Game
25:31 The Mob and Nigerian Sources
27:00 Distribution Network
30:43 This Episode Is Sponsored By Superpower
32:13 Police and Stash Houses
34:54 Violence and Stickup Boys
37:24 The Fall: Addiction
40:16 Investing in the Community
42:16 This Episode Is Sponsored By NordVPN
43:52 The Addiction to Money
45:40 A Day in the Life
50:38 Handling Massive Cash
52:37 The Turning Point
56:30 Dodging a Federal Case
58:00 Descent into Addiction
01:01:40 Losing Everything
01:04:10 Life as a Homeless Addict
01:07:26 The Road to Recovery
01:11:20 Helping Others Get Clean
01:14:42 The Rehab Industry
01:18:22 Redemption and Legacy
01:20:24 Is Baltimore Better Now?
01:23:57 Changing Attitudes in the Community
01:27:02 Final Thoughts
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