Frank Lucas played a large roll in the influx of heroin in 1970s New York. Using connections in Vietnam, he had the drug shipped home in the body bags of U.S. soldiers. A Drug Enforcement Agency taskforce eventually got the best of Lucas, and he was sentenced to 70 years in prison in 1976. After serving five years, he became an informant, and provided information that led to more than 100 people being convicted of drug violations. For this information, Lucas was released for time served, and put on parole for life. Lucas’ rise and fall is depicted in American Gangster, in which he is played by Denzel Washington.
Mafia arrests: Four of the most famous mob busts in history
The FBI announced one of the biggest mob busts in history on Thursday. Here are four other major law enforcement wins against American gangsters.
Frank Lucas (b. 1930)
