Frank Lucas

Profession: Drug Lord

Nationality:

Biography: Frank Lucas was an American drug lord from New York City who controlled the heroin trade in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He made a deal directly with sources in Southeast Asia which allowed him to cut out the middleman, allegedly smuggling heroin back in the coffins of dead American soldiers.

Lucas was the subject of American Gangster (2007), a film based loosely on his life, in which he was played by Denzel Washington. Those involved with the events have stated that it fictionalized many aspects of the story, often taking too much creative license in its depiction of the true events.

In 1976, Lucas' criminal career came to an end when he was convicted of drug trafficking. He was sentenced to 70 years in prisoner, and then, after becoming an informant for the state, was placed with his family into the Witness protection Program. He was convicted on drug charges again in 1984.

Born: September 9, 1930
Birthplace: La Grange, North Carolina, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Virgo

Died: May 30, 2019 (aged 88)