Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, the notorious drug kingpin and co-founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), has been released from prison after serving 15 years for his role in one of the largest drug trafficking and money laundering operations in U.S. history.
Flenory’s early release was confirmed by Billboard after his sentence was reduced from 360 to 292 months.
Though he was officially released from a Florida prison on October 15, 2024, he will remain in a halfway house until his final release on January 27, 2026, followed by supervised probation.
Flenory, alongside his brother Terry “Southwest T” Flenory, led BMF in the 1980s, orchestrating a nationwide cocaine distribution network that spanned multiple states.
The Black Mafia Family’s operations reached their peak in the early 2000s, amassing immense wealth, and extending their reach into the music industry with BMF Entertainment.
Through their label, the brothers helped elevate the careers of prominent rappers such as Jeezy and T.I., blending their illicit activities with high-profile entertainment.
In 2005, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) brought down the empire when more than 100 members, including Flenory, were arrested on a range of charges.
Flenory’s arrest in particular highlighted his leadership of a sprawling drug empire. Court records describe Flenory as a key figure in a multi-state drug operation and detailed his extensive criminal history, which included prior convictions for drug, weapons, and assault offenses.
After his conviction in 2008, Flenory was sentenced to 30 years in prison. However, recent sentence reductions led to his early release, and he now awaits his final return to society.
The rise and fall of BMF has been captured in popular culture, most notably in the Starz series BMF, produced by 50 Cent, with Flenory’s son, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., playing his father.
The release of Big Meech has stirred excitement in the hip-hop community, with artists like Sexyy Red, Boosie Badazz, and even NBA star LeBron James celebrating his return.
