We also asked Zabaneh about how he got off the Kingpin designation placed on him by the US office of Foreign Asset Control in 2012.
Short of a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" It's the most dire designation the US can assign to an individual. And it's usually not a temporary designation.
But, somehow, Zabaneh got out from under that in 2017 - and we asked him how he did it:
Jules Vasquez
"You are the only person I know of who has managed to come to escape a kingpin designation. When the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the United States names you a kingpin, it's for life. How did you have them remove that designation, John?"
John Zabaneh, Citrus Farmer
"Well, let me tell you. From the time that, you were the first man informed me of this thing. OFAC thing. I was having breakfast that morning and you spoiled my day and many days thereafter. Right?"
"I tell you, yes, I came off that kingpin it was a landmark case."
Jules Vasquez
"So you got an immigration attorney who took up your case and proved that you were wrongfully designated."
John Zabaneh, Citrus Farmer
"No, not an immigration attorney, a top-notch attorney."
