"American Drug War shows how money, power and greed have corrupted not just drug pushers and dope fiends, but an entire government. More importantly, it shows what can be done about it. This is not some 'pro-drug' stoner film, but a collection of expert testimonials from the ground troops on the front lines of the drug war, the ones who are fighting it and the ones who are living it."
Leroy Antonio "Nicky" Barnes (born October 15, 1933) is a former drug dealer and crime boss who led the notorious African-American crime organization known as The Council, which controlled the heroin trade in Harlem, New York, from 1972-1983. Barnes was convicted in 1978 of multiple counts of RICO violations, including drug trafficking and murder, for which he was sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole. In prison, Barnes turned state's evidence against his former associates in "The Council". In exchange for his testimony, Barnes was released into the Federal Witness Protection Program in August, 1998.
This is a pretty good and detailed documentary on the rise and fall of crime syndicates in New York dating from the 1970s. Check it out. It's a little over an hour long.
This is several years old but I'm just seeing it. I never knew a lot about Pablo until now. That kind of power is ridiculous and it's sad because now, the other cartels are way more ruthless than he was.
Maserati Rick was one of the mosty flashy drug dealers to ever come off of Detroit's East side. Gifted with the gift of gab, Maserati would penerate all arenas he entered. As a founding member of Detroit's well known drug cartel "Best Friends" organization, Maserati would become a legend amongst the already established underground figures of Detroit. His drive and determination was matched with Detroit's already murderous past. Killing was a way of life in Detroit and Maserati would quickly follow the lands ways. In addition to being quick with the trigger he was also quick with his hands, allowing him to capture the attention of Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns who he ended up being a bodyguard for. Maserati Rick was estimated to have earned in excess of $20 million dollars in heroin and cocaine sales and direct the drug traffic flow of the east side. His control would eventually be challenged and his life would come to an end in a Detroit hospital guarded by hospital police. The Maserati Rick story is one that changed Detroit laws on hospital procedures and a story that became a part of Detroit's drug/violent history, a must see.
