Reggae Label Funded W/ Weed Money, Founders Face Life In Jail

Eight Bronx men connected to John Shop Records, a studio and reggae record label launched with drug money, were convicted by a federal jury on Monday (March 3) after being accused of selling as much as $1 million worth of weed every week.

Singer and producer Wyclef Jean was one of the artists who recorded at the studio, as was international reggae star Sizzla, according to New York's Daily News.

The gang, known as the John Shop Crew, reportedly flew 2,000 pounds of pot a week from California to New York where they sold the weed to lower-level drug dealers, during the years of 1997 to 2004.

Anthony Patterson, 37, was the crew's head honcho, who supervised the transports and sent money back to buy more drugs.

Patterson and four others were convicted on drug and gun charges. They're all looking at a maximum of life in prison.

Three others pleaded guilty and face 25 years in jail.