MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS Success in the drug game always comes with a price. If you think hustling is a glamorous profession, check out the fate of these legendary American gangsters before you try to become the next Scarface. BIRTH PLACE
NAME Leroy Antonio “Nicky” Barnes Frank Lucas
Rayful Edmond III
Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff
Larry Hoover
“Freeway” Ricky Ross
BIRTH DATE
CLAim to FAME
DRUG(s) OF CHOICE
SALES
current Status
Harlem, NY
10/15/1933
Portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr. in American Gangster (2007); dubbed “Mr. Untouchable” by The New York Times
Heroin
Net worth estimated at several million dollars at height of his career
Sentenced to a life sentence in prison, turned states evidence and was released in 2003; currently lives in the Witness Protection Program.
Born in LaGrange, NC; resided in Harlem, NY
10/9/1930
Portrayed by Denzel Washington in American Gangster (2007); allegedly smuggled heroin from Vietnam in coffins of dead soldiers; known for his “Blue Magic” heroin
Heroin
Estimated gross of $1 million a day
Sentenced to 70 years in prison in 1976; turned states evidence and was released in 1981 on parole; convicted again in 1981 and released in 1991.
Washington, D.C. 11/26/1964
Credited with helping make D.C. the ‘80s murder capital of the world; American Gangster BET documentary; rumored to have sold drugs to D.C.’s mayor
Heroin
Estimated $70 million dollars monthly
Arrested in 1989; sentenced to life in prison; received an additional 30 years for conducting drug business from a Federal prison phone; became a government informant to secure his mother’s release from prison and a reduced sentence; currently a part of the Witness Protection Program
New York, NY
Formed a crack distribution organization in Queens, NY called “Supreme Team”; some claim the characters Nino Brown in New Jack City and Majestic in Get Rich or Die Tryin’ are based on him; allegedly had a hand in the murder of Jam Master Jay and the 50 Cent shooting
Crack-Cocaine
Estimated $200,000 daily at peak in 1987
Served 7 years in prison and released on parole in 1994; served another 2 ½ years for violating parole and released in 1997; Sentenced to life in prison in 2007 for conspiracy to commit murder and drug dealing
Born in Jackson, 11/30/1950 MS; resided in South Side of Chicago, IL
Leader of the Chicago-based Growth & Development Nation, formerly Black Gangster Disciples
Crack-Cocaine
The Gangster Disciples brought in an estimated $100 million annually
In 1998, sentenced to six life terms, seven terms of 20 years, three four-year terms, and one five-year term, with all sentences running concurrently in addition to the 150-200-year sentence he received for his 1973 murder conviction
Born in Troup, TX; resided in Los Angeles, CA
Ross’s career was emphasized in Crack-Cocaine The Last White Hope where he was noted as the biggest crack dealer in American history; name adopted by Philadelphia rapper Freeway and Miami’s Rick Ross [Ed.’s note: Rick
Estimated gross of $1 million a day (“on a good day”)
Sentenced to life in prison in 1996 after trying to purchase more than 100 kilograms of cocaine from a federal agent
9/19/1959
unknown
Ross denied this in last year’s drug issue]
Alberto “Alpo” Martinez Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory
Howard “Pappy” Mason
Harlem, NY
unknown
Depicted by Cam’Ron in the film Paid in Full; rose to power in the 80s alongside teenage friends Rich Porter and Azie Faison
Crack-Cocaine
Estimated $1 million per month at the height of his career
Currently serving a life sentence for 14 homicides including the murder of Rich Porter
Detroit, MI
1969
Co-founded the drug enterprise Black Mafia Family along with his brother Terry. BMF appeared in Hip Hop DVD magazines, had billboards towering over Atlanta proclaiming “the world is BMF’s;” affiliated with rappers like Fabolous and Young Jeezy
Cocaine, Crack-Cocaine
Exact amount unknown, estimated over $270 million
Sentenced to 30 years in prison on December 5, 2007 for multiple counts of charges including running a criminal enterprise and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments; also fined $270 million dollars.
Estimated $100,000 per week at the height of his career
Serving a life sentence for federal charges including the murder of a police officer. In 1990 his mother sentenced to a ten year prison term for drug trafficking. She was released in 1998.
Jamaica Queens, 9/8/1959 NY
Compiled by: Ms. Rivercity
36 // OZONE MAG
From behind bars on gun charges, Crack-Cocaine Mason ordered the murder of police officer Eddie Byrne; partnered with Lorenzo “Fat Cat” Nichols
Note: If we failed to include your favorite drug dealer, it’s because enough statistical information could not be obtained.