Gangland

American Gangster

Gangsters Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes went from street punks to the top of New York's high-flying drug market. They were considered the drug czars of Harlem at the height of the drug-fueled decade of the 1970s.

Lucas claimed to have grossed $1 million a day selling drugs on 116th Street. He is particularly known for the "Cadaver Connection," in which he smuggled heroin from Vietnam in the caskets of fallen American soldiers.

Lucas was convicted in 1976. After turning State's evidence he was in and out of prison during the next 15 years.

Barnes, the leader of a cartel of African-American drug dealers called "The Council," made the cover of New York Times Magazine with the headline "Mr. Untouchable." President Carter was reported to be so incensed, he personally ordered the Attorney General to go after Barnes.

Both are subjects of the 2007 biopic, American Gangster.

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