Methamphetamine: Almost two million Americans took meth in 2019. More than 16,000 died from an overdose. America spends $5 billion a year on meth. This deadly market was pioneered in Philadelphia in the 1970s. By the Mafia. Narco Wars s2e2: The Mafia Meth Kings, National Geographic 2021
John Martorano, the Mafia Meth King: Jimmy gets his meth from an associate of the Philadelphia Mob. ibid.
In the early 1970s a new product catches Long John’s eye. Meth is cheap and readily available because it’s made in local underground labs. Long John sets himself up as a middleman. But Long John can’t share this opportunity with his Mafia associates. In the 1970s the Mob is officially ‘anti-drugs’. There are serious consequences for anyone who breaks the rules. ibid.
$92,000 a month net profit. ibid.
In 1980 the US government declares P2P illegal, so Long John needs an underworld supplier. 200 gallons is enough to make $20 million’ worth of meth. ibid.
Today the Mexican cartels supply over 90% of US meth. They have cornered the P2P market. They have no competitors. But the idea isn’t new: it was pioneered 40 years ago by Long John Martorano. ibid.
‘The Mob is not a business, it’s a way of life.’ The Definitive Guide to the Mob, Michael Franzese, History 2017
This wave of violence ended when a young gangster names Charles Lucky Luciano rose to power and realised that war was bad for business. ibid.
‘We looked on it as something noble.’ ibid. Franzese, re whacks
Colombo made himself a target by creating the Italian American Civil Rights League, and claimed to be fighting the persecution of Italian Americans by law enforcement. ibid.
Over the last couple of years your son has been running with the Dixie boys, doing whatever Mafia types do. Cold in July 2014 starring Michael C Hall & Sam Shepard & Don Johnson & Vinessa Shaw & Nick Damici & Wyatt Russell & Lanny Flaherty & Rachel Zeiger-Haag & Brogan Hall et al, director Jim Mickel, PI
So they called a meeting. A big meeting. It was the first time the whole Commission was going to meet face to face ... The whole wise-guy world. Analyze This 1999, starring Robert De Niro & Billy Crystal & Lisa Kudrow & Chazz Palminteri & Joe Viterelli & Kyle Sabihy & Pat Cooper & Joe Rigano & Leo Rossi et al, director Harold Ramis
I don’t know, I don’t like it. What we got to have a meeting for? ibid. De Niro as Paul Vitti at table
What, we get a fucking website? ibid.
I feel the juices rushing down to my balls as we speak. ibid. Vitti
Normally a patient wouldn’t have a vat of Scotch during a session. ibid.
What are you saying – that I wanted to fuck my mother? Have you ever seen my mother? Are you out of your fucking mind? Well then Freud’s a sick fucker, and you are too for bringing it up. Aaargh! ibid. Vitti to Sobel
You took a bullet for me. What doc could ever that for his patient? I’ll never forget that. You, you ... ibid. Vitti to Sobel
He was a psychotic mind-fucking prick. An arrogant ego-inflated son of a bitch. Analyze That 2002 starring Robert De Niro & Billy Crystal & Lisa Kudrow & Chazz Palminteri & Joe Viterelli & Kyle Sabihy & Pat Cooper & Joe Rigano & Leo Rossi et al, director Harold Ramis, Sobel's imaginary tribute to father
When I was a resident we used to play with the catatonics. ibid. Sobel
It’s another world here. The Brotherhood 1968 starring Kirk Douglas & Alex Cord & Irene Papas & Luther Adler & Susan Strasberg & Murray Hamilton & Val Avery & Alan Hewitt et al, director Martin Ritt, Douglas
Frank, I’m in. I’ve always been in, haven’t I? ibid. brother
The first known episode where Jack Kennedy and Frank Sinatra come together in Vegas is at the Sands hotel. Kennedy, Sinatra & the Mafia, historian, Channel 4 2023
Sinatra is the one who can give Jack Kennedy easy entre to any woman he wants. ibid.
This is the junction of politics and showbizness. ibid.
Hoover finds out that Kennedy is having this affair with Sam Giancana’s mistress. ibid.
There came a point in his young life where Frank Sinatra decided I want to be a singer. ibid.
Frankie goes to Havana: 1947 Sinatra attends a Mafia conference. ibid.
Throughout his life Frank was close to the Mob. ibid.
The Rat Pack: the summit of everything in the ’50s. ibid.
Sinatra fulfilled very much to role of pimp for Kennedy in California. ibid.
Sinatra went to Momo and said, The big man needs your help. ibid.
Frank was working the phones from his home in California. ibid.
‘We are all indebted to a great friend Frank Sinatra.’ ibid. Jack’s speech
Nothing they’re doing is escaping the notice of the FBI. ibid.