Frank Lucas
Networth: $52 Million
Frank Lucas was a heroin dealer who ran Harlem from the late 1960s to the 1970s. Known for cutting out the middleman, Lucas bought all of his heroin directly from a source in the Golden Triangle. Lucas would smuggle heroin by hiding them in pallets underneath the coffins of dead American servicemen. In 1976, he was caught and sentenced to 70 years in prison. His sentence was ultimately cut short and he was released in 1991 on the terms of lifetime parole. Lucas’ life was dramatized in the 2007 crime film American Gangster, where his character was played by Denzel Washington.
Alberto “Alpo” Martinez
Frank Lucas was a heroin dealer who ran Harlem from the late 1960s to the 1970s. Known for cutting out the middleman, Lucas bought all of his heroin directly from a source in the Golden Triangle. Lucas would smuggle heroin by hiding them in pallets underneath the coffins of dead American servicemen. In 1976, he was caught and sentenced to 70 years in prison. His sentence was ultimately cut short and he was released in 1991 on the terms of lifetime parole. Lucas’ life was dramatized in the 2007 crime film American Gangster, where his character was played by Denzel Washington.
Alberto “Alpo” Martinez
Networth: $70 Million
Alberto “Alpo” Martinez is a former drug dealer who rose to prominence in Harlem during the mid 1980s War on Drugs. Alpo started selling drugs at age 13. Slowly, he moved up the chain of drug dealers in Harlem and eventually became on of the biggest drug dealers in NYC. Alpo went on to expand his business to other cities in the Northeast after moving to Washington D.C. In 1990, he was found an accomplice to the murder of Rich Porter, reportedly shooting him in the head several times. After being sentenced to life for 14 counts of homicide, he testified against others in exchange for a lighter sentence. In 2002, the film Paid In Full was released, based on Alpo and Porter’s lives. Alpo is also referenced in hip hop artist Nas’ song “Memory Lane (Sittin’ In Da Park)”.
Jose Figueroa Agosto
Alberto “Alpo” Martinez is a former drug dealer who rose to prominence in Harlem during the mid 1980s War on Drugs. Alpo started selling drugs at age 13. Slowly, he moved up the chain of drug dealers in Harlem and eventually became on of the biggest drug dealers in NYC. Alpo went on to expand his business to other cities in the Northeast after moving to Washington D.C. In 1990, he was found an accomplice to the murder of Rich Porter, reportedly shooting him in the head several times. After being sentenced to life for 14 counts of homicide, he testified against others in exchange for a lighter sentence. In 2002, the film Paid In Full was released, based on Alpo and Porter’s lives. Alpo is also referenced in hip hop artist Nas’ song “Memory Lane (Sittin’ In Da Park)”.
Jose Figueroa Agosto
Networth: $100 Million
Jose Figueroa Agosto is a Puerto Rican drug trafficker. In 1999, Agosto escaped from prison in Puerto Rico, where he was serving a 209-year sentence for murder and illegal weapon possession, to the Dominican Republic. After obtaining several fake identities, he continued trafficking for another decade. During that time he was arrested for a minor stint but released for unknown reasons. In 2009, police found his apartment following a lead, but he was able to escape to San Juan for 10 months. When he was arrested, Agosto was wearing a wig and appeared to have undergone several plastic surgeries.
Joe Kennedy Sr.
Jose Figueroa Agosto is a Puerto Rican drug trafficker. In 1999, Agosto escaped from prison in Puerto Rico, where he was serving a 209-year sentence for murder and illegal weapon possession, to the Dominican Republic. After obtaining several fake identities, he continued trafficking for another decade. During that time he was arrested for a minor stint but released for unknown reasons. In 2009, police found his apartment following a lead, but he was able to escape to San Juan for 10 months. When he was arrested, Agosto was wearing a wig and appeared to have undergone several plastic surgeries.
Joe Kennedy Sr.
Networth: $300Million
Businessman, investor, politician…gangster? Although Joseph Kennedy Sr. made a large fortune as a stock market and commodity investor, he was also a bootlegger during Prohibition. Kennedy also made use of inside information in order to time his all of his business transactions, a practice that was later outlawed. It is also said that Kennedy fixed unions and rigged elections in order to stay on top in politics. Fortune magazine placed Kennedy to be between the ninth and sixteenth richest person in the U.S. during his time.
Meyer Lansky
Businessman, investor, politician…gangster? Although Joseph Kennedy Sr. made a large fortune as a stock market and commodity investor, he was also a bootlegger during Prohibition. Kennedy also made use of inside information in order to time his all of his business transactions, a practice that was later outlawed. It is also said that Kennedy fixed unions and rigged elections in order to stay on top in politics. Fortune magazine placed Kennedy to be between the ninth and sixteenth richest person in the U.S. during his time.
Meyer Lansky
Networth: $600Million
Known as the “Mob’s Accountant”, Meyer Lansky and his associate Charles “Lucky” Luciano were instrumental in the development of the National CrimeSyndicate in the U.S. Lansky built a gambling empire that stretched across the world, from Vegas to Cuba to London. Although he was a member of the Jewish Mob, Lansky also had strong influence on the Italians and played a large role in consolidating the underground crime world.. Despite nearly 50 years in organizing crime, the police could never find Lansky guilty for anything more than illegal gambling.
Al Capone
Known as the “Mob’s Accountant”, Meyer Lansky and his associate Charles “Lucky” Luciano were instrumental in the development of the National CrimeSyndicate in the U.S. Lansky built a gambling empire that stretched across the world, from Vegas to Cuba to London. Although he was a member of the Jewish Mob, Lansky also had strong influence on the Italians and played a large role in consolidating the underground crime world.. Despite nearly 50 years in organizing crime, the police could never find Lansky guilty for anything more than illegal gambling.
Al Capone
Networth: $1.3 Billion
When people think gangster, they think Al Capone. Al Capone was the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit during the Prohibition era, but he wasn’t always a mobster. Capone got his start as a bouncer at brothels before becoming a bodyguard for Johnny Torrio, head of a criminal syndicate that illegally supplied alcohol. When Torrio went into retirement after almost getting killed, he handed Capone the keys to the kingdom. Originally known as a modern-day Robin Hood, Capone’s bootlegging kingdom began growing by violent means, including the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of seven gang rival members in broad daylight, leading him to become “Public Enemy No. 1”. Capone was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison where he showed early signs of syphilitic dementia and eventually died of cardiac arrest from a stroke.
Griselda Blanco
When people think gangster, they think Al Capone. Al Capone was the co-founder and boss of the Chicago Outfit during the Prohibition era, but he wasn’t always a mobster. Capone got his start as a bouncer at brothels before becoming a bodyguard for Johnny Torrio, head of a criminal syndicate that illegally supplied alcohol. When Torrio went into retirement after almost getting killed, he handed Capone the keys to the kingdom. Originally known as a modern-day Robin Hood, Capone’s bootlegging kingdom began growing by violent means, including the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of seven gang rival members in broad daylight, leading him to become “Public Enemy No. 1”. Capone was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison where he showed early signs of syphilitic dementia and eventually died of cardiac arrest from a stroke.
Griselda Blanco
Networth: $2 Billion
Known as the La Madrina, the Black Widow, the Cocaine Godmother and the Queen of Narco-Trafficking, Griselda Blanco was a drug lord of the Medllin Cartel and a pioneer in the Miami cocaine drug trade. In April 1975, Blanco was indicted on federal drug conspiracy charges along with 30 of her subordinates,the biggest cocaine case in history at the time. but fled to Colombia before she could be arrested. After returning to Miami, Blanco became involved in the Miami Drug War, which led to several attempted assassination attempts. In 1985, she was arrested by DEA agents in her home and sentenced to over a decade in jail. In 2004, she was released and deported to Colombia.
Carlos Lehder
Known as the La Madrina, the Black Widow, the Cocaine Godmother and the Queen of Narco-Trafficking, Griselda Blanco was a drug lord of the Medllin Cartel and a pioneer in the Miami cocaine drug trade. In April 1975, Blanco was indicted on federal drug conspiracy charges along with 30 of her subordinates,the biggest cocaine case in history at the time. but fled to Colombia before she could be arrested. After returning to Miami, Blanco became involved in the Miami Drug War, which led to several attempted assassination attempts. In 1985, she was arrested by DEA agents in her home and sentenced to over a decade in jail. In 2004, she was released and deported to Colombia.
Carlos Lehder
Networth: $2.7 Billion
Carlos Lehder, a Colombian drug lord who supposedly co-founded the Medellin Cartel, is currently incarcerated in the U.S. Lehder ran a cocaine transport empire on Norman’s Cay Island just off the coast of Florida. He was also one of the founding members of Muerte a Secuestradores, a paramilitary group whose focus was to retaliate against the kidnappings of cartel members and their families. He was ultimately turned in by another kingpin, Pablo Escobar and sentenced to life without parole, plus an additional 135 years. His sentence was reduced to 55 years after testifying against Manuel Noriega in 1992.
JoaquÃn “El Chapo” Guzman Loera
Carlos Lehder, a Colombian drug lord who supposedly co-founded the Medellin Cartel, is currently incarcerated in the U.S. Lehder ran a cocaine transport empire on Norman’s Cay Island just off the coast of Florida. He was also one of the founding members of Muerte a Secuestradores, a paramilitary group whose focus was to retaliate against the kidnappings of cartel members and their families. He was ultimately turned in by another kingpin, Pablo Escobar and sentenced to life without parole, plus an additional 135 years. His sentence was reduced to 55 years after testifying against Manuel Noriega in 1992.
JoaquÃn “El Chapo” Guzman Loera
Networth: $5 Billion
JoaquÃn Archivaldo Guzmán Loera is the head of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. El Chapo Guzman became MExico’s top drug kingpin in 2003 after the arrest of his rival Osiel Cardenas and is considered the “most powerful drug trafficker in the world” by the United States Department of the Treasury. Despite having been imprisoned twice, Guzman is now at large. On July 11, 2015, he escaped from prison with the help of several accomplices. He is currently wanted in Mexico with a $3.8 million reward and the U.S. with a $5 million reward.
Dawood Ibrahim
JoaquÃn Archivaldo Guzmán Loera is the head of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. El Chapo Guzman became MExico’s top drug kingpin in 2003 after the arrest of his rival Osiel Cardenas and is considered the “most powerful drug trafficker in the world” by the United States Department of the Treasury. Despite having been imprisoned twice, Guzman is now at large. On July 11, 2015, he escaped from prison with the help of several accomplices. He is currently wanted in Mexico with a $3.8 million reward and the U.S. with a $5 million reward.
Dawood Ibrahim
Networth: $6.7 Billion
Dawood Ibrahim is the leader of Indian crime syndicate D-Company and on the wanted list of Interpol for cheating, criminal conspiracy and running an organized crime syndicate. Ibrahim was accused of organizing and financing the 1993 Bombay bombings, which throttled him to India’s most wanted man. In 2011, he was featured as number three of Forbes’ World’s Top Most Dreaded Criminals. A global terrorist in the eyes of the U.S. government, Ibrahim is reportedly hiding in Pakistan with the aid of the Taliban.
Amado Carrillo Fuentes
Dawood Ibrahim is the leader of Indian crime syndicate D-Company and on the wanted list of Interpol for cheating, criminal conspiracy and running an organized crime syndicate. Ibrahim was accused of organizing and financing the 1993 Bombay bombings, which throttled him to India’s most wanted man. In 2011, he was featured as number three of Forbes’ World’s Top Most Dreaded Criminals. A global terrorist in the eyes of the U.S. government, Ibrahim is reportedly hiding in Pakistan with the aid of the Taliban.
Amado Carrillo Fuentes
Networth: $25 Billion
Amado Carrillo Fuentes seized control of the Mexican Juarez Cartel after assassinating his boss Rafael Aguilar Gujardo. As the top drug trafficker in Mexico, Carrillo was transporting four times more cocaine to the U.S. than any other trafficker in the world. Sophisticated and diplomatic, Carillo event conducted joint operations with rival groups. He was known as “El Señor de Los Cielos” (Lord of the Skies) because of the large fleet of jets he used to transport drugs. As pressure for his capture intensified, Carillo underwent plastic surgery and lipo to change his appearance but ended up dying on the table. The physicians who performed the surgery were found dead a few months later, encased in steel drums.
Pablo Escobar
Amado Carrillo Fuentes seized control of the Mexican Juarez Cartel after assassinating his boss Rafael Aguilar Gujardo. As the top drug trafficker in Mexico, Carrillo was transporting four times more cocaine to the U.S. than any other trafficker in the world. Sophisticated and diplomatic, Carillo event conducted joint operations with rival groups. He was known as “El Señor de Los Cielos” (Lord of the Skies) because of the large fleet of jets he used to transport drugs. As pressure for his capture intensified, Carillo underwent plastic surgery and lipo to change his appearance but ended up dying on the table. The physicians who performed the surgery were found dead a few months later, encased in steel drums.
Pablo Escobar
Networth: $30 Billion
You can’t talk about gangsters without talking about Pablo Escobar (but SPOLER ALERT: he isn’t the richest gangster on this list!). Escobar was a notorious Colombian drug lord who supplied about 80% of the cocaine in the U.S. during the late 80s/early 90s. At the peak of his power in the mid-1980s, he was shipping as much as eleven tons per flight in jetliners to the United States. Beloved in the community, Escobar was responsible for the construction of many hospitals, schools and churches in western Colombia. His influence even expanded into politics as he was able to bribe his way to keeping his empire on top. When Escobar surrendered to Colombian authorities in ’91, he was put in a luxurious private prison that he designed.
Kenichi Shinoda
You can’t talk about gangsters without talking about Pablo Escobar (but SPOLER ALERT: he isn’t the richest gangster on this list!). Escobar was a notorious Colombian drug lord who supplied about 80% of the cocaine in the U.S. during the late 80s/early 90s. At the peak of his power in the mid-1980s, he was shipping as much as eleven tons per flight in jetliners to the United States. Beloved in the community, Escobar was responsible for the construction of many hospitals, schools and churches in western Colombia. His influence even expanded into politics as he was able to bribe his way to keeping his empire on top. When Escobar surrendered to Colombian authorities in ’91, he was put in a luxurious private prison that he designed.
Kenichi Shinoda
Networth: $80 Billion
Kenichi Shinoda is the sixth and current kumicho (supreme Kingpin) of Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan’s largest organized crime ring. In the early 1970s, Shinoda was convicted of murdering a rival yakuza boss with a katana, and spent 13 years in prison. Yamaguchi-gumi was going 40,000 strong when Shinoda took over in 2005 after the retirement of don Yoshinori Watanabe. Under Shinoda, the Kobe-based Yamaguchi-gumi has expanded into Tokyo and Eastern Japan and is bringing in billions of dollars a year from extortion, gambling, the sex industry, arms and drug trafficking, and real estate and construction kickback schemes. They are also involved in stock market manipulation and Internet pornography.
Kenichi Shinoda is the sixth and current kumicho (supreme Kingpin) of Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan’s largest organized crime ring. In the early 1970s, Shinoda was convicted of murdering a rival yakuza boss with a katana, and spent 13 years in prison. Yamaguchi-gumi was going 40,000 strong when Shinoda took over in 2005 after the retirement of don Yoshinori Watanabe. Under Shinoda, the Kobe-based Yamaguchi-gumi has expanded into Tokyo and Eastern Japan and is bringing in billions of dollars a year from extortion, gambling, the sex industry, arms and drug trafficking, and real estate and construction kickback schemes. They are also involved in stock market manipulation and Internet pornography.
