It was standing room only at Newport Centre as Mr Nice, Howard Marks, met an admiring audience.

Devil or disciple, this mild mannered, mesmerising figure certainly knows how to work a crowd .

The Kenfig Hill-born Oxford graduate was responsible for international drug smuggling on an unprecedented scale during the 80s, hiding cannabis in the touring equipment of such high-profile bands as Pink Floyd, and Thin Lizzy.

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the US and what was clear from the introduction by 1980s newsreel archive, was the fact that his charisma was not lost on anyone involved in that trial.

Marks’ reminiscences are colourful and fascinating. His story started after he served seven of the 25 years in prison and returned to Britain with no money and no contacts – who would now want to enter into any deals with such a high-profile trafficker?

His sense of humour is evident as he recounts the tale of his very first book-reading in an Islington pub. An evening so dull it was only enlivened by Shane McGowan (The Pogues) being carried unconscious into the pub as at that time he lived in the flat above.

His years of cannabis use have certainly not interfered with his intellect.