Career

He has a master"s degree in marketing. When the Somoza government was overthrown in 1979, Blandón fled to the United States, and then raised money for the Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN), a Contra group. As part of his fundraising activities Blandón sold drugs and weapons (via Ronald Lister and "Freeway" Rick Ross) to the Crips in Los Los Angeles

Blandón claimed that the Central Intelligence Agency protected him, allowing him to operate without fear of reprisal.

Journalist Gary Webb substantiated the claim in his book Dark Alliance. In 1986, Blandón was arrested on drug charges by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In May 1992, Blandón was convicted in United States District Court (San Diego) on the federal charge of "conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute." He was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, but was released due to time served.

Following his imprisonment, Blandón was hired by the Drug Enforcement Administration and salaried at $42,000. He worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration to take down drug kingpin Rick Ross in a sting operation, for which Ross was convicted in 1997.

Blandón was not a United States Citizen/National, and is the only known foreigner in United States history not to be deported following conviction on drug trafficking charges.

The INS granted Blandón a green card, despite the criminal convictions, to allow him to work for the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Drug Enforcement Administration has said that Blandón is no longer on its payroll and his whereabouts are unknown.