Recently, Terry Lee Flenory was released from prison due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If you know about the Black Mafia Family, the name Terry Lee Flenory should be something you’re familiar with. If not, then you have come to the right place. 

In a nutshell, Terry Lee Flenory and Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory are two brothers from Detroit who built one of the biggest drug empires in the US. 

They grew up on the streets of Detroit and started selling drugs in high school. As their drug empire grew, they ventured into the entertainment industry to clean their illegal income. With their hip hop record label, they promoted artists such as Young Jeezy.

This was until they got convicted of running a criminal enterprise that made more than $270 million. According to the US Department of Justice, BMF around 2003-2004 was moving hundreds of kilos of cocaine into Atlanta, Detroit and their other distribution hubs every month. 

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What Is the Black Mafia Family?

The Black Mafia Family (BMF) was a money laundering and drug trafficking enterprise in the United states. It started in 1985 but wasn’t given the name BMF until the year 2000. Ever since its creation, this enterprise has remained active till date.

It was originally founded in Detroit, Michigan by brothers Demetrius Flenory aka Big Meech and Terry Lee Flenory aka Southwest T. But by the year 2000, it had already expanded its territory to other states across the United States. 

They smuggled their drugs using vehicles, mostly limousines. The vehicles were modified to have secrete compartments (traps) where drugs were stuffed into these compartments and then shipped to the United States. When returning, those compartments were stuffed with cash and sent to their Mexican supplier. 

Together, Terry Lee Flenory and Demetrius Flenory established a cocaine distribution channel throughout the United States through their Los Angeles based supplier. They also had direct links to Mexican cartels.

Under Demetrius, the BMF ventured into hip hop and created the BMF entertainment brand. 

Back then, this was used as a front to launder money from the cocaine business and make their wealth look legitimate. The record label performed excellently as a front. With it, they served as promoters to artists like Bleu DaVinci. 

Terry Lee Flenory’s Biography

Terry Lee Flenory was born on January 10, 1970 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in poverty and turned to drug dealing, along with his brother, as a means of making a living. Terry is the younger Flenory brother and goes by the nickname “Southwest T.”

Under Terry Flenory’s leadership, BMF operated in multiple cities across the country, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami. The organization was known for its extravagant lifestyle, including luxury cars, private jets, and expensive jewelry.

In 2001, Terry relocated to Los Angeles due to a feud between the two brothers. He began his own operation in Los Angeles. At this stage, the brothers barely spoke to each other. 

Terry Lee Flenory has one son, Terry Flenory Jr, with whom he often posts pictures on social media. He also has a longtime partner, Tonesa Welch.

Although there were some rumors that Terry Lee Flenory was shot after being released from prison, there has been no confirmation thus far, so it’s safe to assume those were just speculations.

Black Mafia Family Arrest

In October 2005, the DEA orchestrated a massive drug raid resulting in the arrest of around 30 BMF members. The operation led to the seizure of $3 million in cash and assets, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, and various weapons. Before the October 2005 raids, the DEA had already taken into custody 17 BMF members, and confiscated 632 kilograms of cocaine, $5.3 million in cash, and $5.7 million in assets. According to the DEA, BMF was responsible for trafficking over 2,500 kilograms of cocaine monthly throughout the United States.

Demetrius Flenory and Terry Lee Flenory faced charges under the Continuing Criminal Enterprise Statute, conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and two counts of possession with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Demetrius was apprehended in a large home located in a suburb outside Dallas, where police found a small amount of marijuana and a few MDMA pills. The residence also housed multiple vehicles and several weapons locked inside a safe. Meanwhile, Terry was arrested in St. Louis, where small quantities of marijuana and weapons were discovered throughout the residence, which was occupied by several individuals at the time of the arrest.

The brothers were faced with multiple counts of cocaine possession with intent to distribute and running a criminal empire. Some hundreds of their associates were also arrested with millions of dollars, vehicles and homes that were all confiscated by the government.

After being arrested in 2005, Lil Meech and Southwest T pleaded guilty in November 2007 to running a continuing criminal enterprise. Both brothers were sentenced to 30 years in prison by September the following year.

Terry Lee Flenory Release from Prison

While Demetrius Flenory is expected to serve his sentence until 2032, Terry Lee Flenory was released on May 5, 2020. This was due to his medical condition and the effort of the Bureau of Prisons to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in prisons. 

Terry finally had his dreams come true as he was granted compassionate release for health reasons. Terry asked that the court release him to serve a reminder of his sentence in house arrest. He convinced the court of his plan to do well if given the opportunity. With his influence, he could really become a voice for good.

Demetrius also made a similar plea but was denied by the court. His prison records show that he still promotes himself as a kingpin and he has gotten into trouble for possessing a cell phone, doing drugs and possessing a weapon while in prison.

Today, Flenory remains in house arrest but often posts on social media.

BMF’s Extravagant Lifestyle

In a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wiretap, Terry was recorded discussing how he wasn’t thrilled with the way Demertruis did things. He felt his excessive partying and extravagant lifestyle was bringing too much attention to their business.

The Black Mafia Family was known for its extravagant lifestyle, which included luxurious cars, mansions, and private jets. The organization was estimated to have made over $270 million during its time of operation, which allowed its members to live lavishly and spend their money on expensive items.

One of the most significant symbols of their wealth was its collection of luxury cars. The organization owned expensive cars including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces. The cars were often customized with personalized plates, BMF logos, and other decorations. BMF members were also known to race their cars on the streets of Atlanta, adding to their reputation as high-rollers.

BMF members also had a taste for luxury real estate. The organization owned multiple mansions in various cities, including Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. These properties were often used as safe houses or for extravagant parties and events. One of the most notorious BMF properties was a 12,000 square-foot mansion in Atlanta that had a private movie theater, a basketball court, and an indoor pool.

Private jets were another symbol of the organization’s wealth. The group owned two Gulfstream jets that they used to transport drugs and money across the country. The planes were often customized with BMF logos and equipped with luxurious interiors, including leather seats, flat-screen TVs, and minibars.

BMF members often wore expensive designer clothing brands and accessorized with diamond-encrusted jewelry, including watches, necklaces, and bracelets.

BMF Entertainment

In the early 2000s, Demetrius Flenory established BMF Entertainment as a promotional agency record label for Hip Hop. 

Before then, the Flenory brothers were already well acquainted with high profile celebrities like Jay-Z, Trina, Fabulous, T.I, and Shawty Lo. Although BMF Entertainment was created to serve as a front to launder the cash generated by their cocaine distribution channel, it had great potential to be a legal way to sustain the family.

In 2005, Bleu DaVinci’s album The World is BMF was nominated for awards like the Source Award. BFM was also a huge supporter of underground hip hop DVD magazines, notably S.M.A.C.K and The Come Up.

The Black Mafia Family TV Show

In July 2019, it was announced that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson had taken on the development of a television series centered on the Black Mafia Family, which he would oversee as executive producer for Starz. In April 2020, Starz approved the series and brought on Lionsgate Television and G-Unit Films and Television Inc. as production companies.

On September 30, 2021, Starz announced its renewal of the series for a second season, just four days after the show’s premiere. The second season is scheduled to debut on January 6, 2023. Subsequently, on January 18, 2023, Starz announced the renewal of the series for a third season.

The successful series combines family drama and drug dealing/money laundering that is the BMF story. The show also tells the story of what went on in the BMF Entertainment business and how they used it to promote several artists.

When word got out that Terry Lee Flenory was returning home, 50 Cents took to his Instagram excited about the news. 

Black Mafia Family Documentary

A documentary about the BMF organization, BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire, was released in 2012. The documentary gave deep insight into how the organization operated. 

The senior editor of Creative Loafing Mara Shalhoup has written a three-part series documenting the life of the BMF titles Hip-Hop’s Shadowy Empire. This piece is considered to be the first and one of the most in-depth reports on the organization. Another book documenting the BFM organization is The Rise and Fall of Big Meech and the Black Mafia Family; published in 2010.