The fact that James “Jimmy Henchman” Rosemond was named as a federal informant by the New York Daily News caught many by surprise, still several notorious criminals have also provided information to authorities. It seems as if the “Stop Snitching” code of silence is just a code big gangsters use to stop people from telling on them and does not apply to the big time gangsters.
5. Alberto “Alpo” Martinez
Alberto “Alpo” Martinez was a drug dealer from Harlem who made an obscene amount of money selling heroin and cocaine in Harlem and the whole east coast. Along with fellow drug dealers AZ and Rich Porter, Alpo would make a name for himself due to his expensive clothes, jewelry and violence in the 1980s. In 1992 he was arrested in Washington D.C. for selling drugs. After being given a life sentence he testified against he D.C. enforced, Wayne Perry in exchange for a lighter sentence.
4. Sammy “The Bull” Gravano
Sammy “The Bull” Gravano was an underboss for the Gambino crime family and John Gotti’s right hand man. After the FBI played tapes of Gotti disrespecting Gravano, Gravano decided to turn states evidence in 1991 and testify against Gotti. After joining the Witness Protection Program, Gravano would go back to his old ways, running an ecstasy ring in Arizona.
3. Frank Lucas
Frank Lucas was another notorious Harlem drug dealer who followed in the steps of his mentor, Bumpy Johnson. Lucas would sell tons of heroin across the east coast through a connection to Vietnam. At his height, Lucas would claim that he would make one million dollars a day. After being caught with drugs and money, Lucas was sentenced to a 70 year sentence. To avoid the sentence, Lucas would provide information that would lead to the arrests of 100 people and join the witness protection program.
2. James “Whitey” Bulger
James “Whitey” Bulger is perhaps Boston’s most notorious gangster. He rose through the criminal elements in Boston, eventually gaining control of the poor Irish area of South Boston. Bulger would use a childhood friend, John Connolly, and FBI agent, to take down his enemies in Boston while providing information to the FBI. Eventually Bulger would go on the run after being informed by Connolly that the FBI were planning to arrest him. Bulger is still a fugitive to this day.
1. Leroy “Nicky” Barnes
Leroy “Nicky” Barnes is yet another legendary Harlem drug dealer. During the 1970s, Barnes would control the Heroin trade in Harlem. Barnes would display a lot of flashy clothes and cars setting a precedent for other Harlem drug dealers to follow. After appearing in the New York Times with a fur coat on, he drew the attention of President Jimmy Carter, who ordered the Attorney General to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. After being convicted and sentenced to jail Barnes would learn that some of his associates were sleeping with some of his women. Barnes would wind up testifying against 44 of his former cohorts, which lead to the convictions of 16 of them including legendary drug dealer, Guy Fischer.
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