After a long career of crime, Brian O'Dea is trying to turn his life around. But instead of keeping his stint as a drug smuggler under wraps, he's relying on it as a credential in his job search.

"Co-owned and participated in the executive level management of 120 people world-wide in a successful pot-smuggling venture with revenues in excess of US$100 million annually," Mr. O'Dea proclaims in a classified ad he placed in a Toronto newspaper last month. "Expert in all levels of security ... extensive computer skills ... well-traveled and speak English, French and Spanish."

Headlined "Former Marijuana Smuggler," the ad further notes that Mr. O'Dea recently completed a 10-year jail sentence in Canada for "importing 75 tons of marijuana into the United States." The Toronto resident is now seeking "a legal and legitimate means" to support his wife and child.

After weeding through more than 150 responses from "pranksters and morning-radio talk-show types," Mr. O'Dea says he has a half-dozen solid job offers, including some from large Canadian corporations he declines to name.

The 52-year-old says he has been dope-free since 1986, when he left his five partners and ring of growers, runners and hustlers. He reckons his extensive experience will give him the leg up on others being dumped into the job market in the slowing economy. Not to mention his references, "available from friends, family and the U.S. attorney."