drug lord

[druhg lawrd]

noun

1. the head of an organization or network involved in illegal drug trafficking.

Word History and Origins

Origin of drug lord¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

He would sneak on the bus to training, playing as a striker and scoring goals on the pitches built by drug lord Pablo Escobar, only donning the gloves after a team-mate was injured.

From BBC

“These are the type of tactics reserved for dangerous criminals such as violent gang members, drug lords, and terrorists,” the attorneys said.

From Los Angeles Times

At his height, Zambada was probably the most powerful drug lord in the world.

From BBC

The U.S. directed prosecutors to not seek capital punishment for three reputed drug lords, including one in a DEA agent’s killing, court filings show.

From Los Angeles Times

But a silly military parade isn’t going to help, unless they actually were going after undocumented drug lords — but there was no immediate evidence of that.

From Los Angeles Times