American gangster and drug kingpin, Frank Lucas dies at 88

Frank Lucas, one of the most famous drug kingpins in American history has died.

The Harlem drug kingpin whose life was portrayed in the hit movie “American Gangster” died on Thursday night at the age of 88 in New Jersey.

His death was confirmed by his nephew Aldwan Lassiter, who said his uncle died of natural causes.

Lucas was a popular drug trafficker who operated in Harlem during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was particularly known for cutting out middlemen in the drug trade and buying heroin directly from his source in the Golden Triangle. He used to smuggle heroin using the coffins of dead American servicemen

According to TMZ, he was busted in the mid-1970s and all of his enormous assets and wealth were seized. Lucas owned property across the country in Chicago, Miami, Detroit, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and even Puerto Rico. 

When the DEA raided his Jersey home in 1975, agents found more than $584,000 in cash. 

Frank was convicted of federal and state drug violations and sentenced to 70 years in prison.  After 5 years in custody, he had his sentence reduced to time served plus lifetime parole. He was later busted for drug dealing again and spent another 7 years behind bars before being released in 1991. 

Frank is survived by his 7 children.