Wolves Among Us
On the surface, there was nothing remarkable about Larry Lavin. He lived in a quiet neighborhood with his wife and family, drove a Volvo, and practiced dentistry in Philadelphia. But, from 1978 to 1984 Dr. Lavin moonlighted as one of the largest cocaine kingpins on the Eastern seaboard. Through the voices and perspectives of law enforcement, drug runners, friends, business associates, and Larry Lavin himself, Wolves Among Us tells the story of Lavin’s dual life, his impact on Philadelphia culture in the late 70s and early 80s, and the stunning events that led to an intense manhunt for one of the FBI’s 10 most wanted fugitives.
Wolves Among Us is an Audacy original.
Our Editor's Take
The podcast Wolves Among Us reveals an improbable story about a man adored by his community. Larry Lavin was an Ivy League-educated dentist living in Philadelphia. His patients and staff referred to him as bright, handsome, articulate, and a nice guy. But the same meek man was somehow also in charge of a large cocaine operation, which brought in $5 million a month. Lavin was trafficking 110 pounds of the drug monthly to fourteen states, as well as Canada. The dentist sold those drugs to stockbrokers, lawyers, and other high-powered professionals.
No one in his immediate surroundings suspected a thing. Khaki-wearing Lavin did not come across as a criminal, not to mention a drug lord. This made it possible for the dentist to run that side business for six years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When the FBI finally caught him, he received a sentence of 42 years for tax evasion and drug trafficking.
Wolves Among Us recounts Lavin's incredible story through the criminal's own account. It also provides testimonies from those closest to him. Lavin began his side career during dentistry school, trying to escape debt. His first attempt at dealing drugs was with marijuana. But soon, Lavin realized that if he wanted to make substantial sums of money, he needed to upgrade. During that time, cocaine was not as common as it became in the 1980s. In a way, the dentist predicted the trend and was one of the first to join it. His actions contributed to significant changes in American society.
The podcast Wolves Among Us is well-researched and presents Lavin's tale in great detail. It follows the character's journey from school to opening his dental practice. It examines Lavin's drug clients and reveals the details of his massive operation. But the podcast doesn't end there. It accompanies Lavin throughout his life as a fugitive and, finally, through his trial. While the story is about a crime, its main character can be charming and charismatic. Listeners might grow to love Lavin despite his wrongdoing. The podcast's excellent storytelling provides several perspectives on the events. This combination makes the podcast a captivating listen.
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