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Carlo Gambino was one of the most powerful and successful mobsters in American history Born in Palermo, Sicily, in 1902, he emigrated to the United States in 1921, at the age of 19. He quickly established himself as a major figure in organized crime in New York City, working for the infamous Mafia families, the Bonanno, Lucchese, and Genovese. By 1957, he had become the leader of the Gambino crime family, one of the most powerful and influential families in the United States.
Carlo Gambino and his criminal organizations made their fortunes through illegal activities such as extortion, racketeering, gambling, and drug trafficking. Gambino and his family also had their hands in legitimate businesses, such as restaurants, construction companies, and loan sharking. Over time, his criminal empire spread across the United States, with a reputation for ruthless efficiency and brutality.
Carlo Gambino's five best examples can be seen throughout his criminal career:
1. The Apalachin Conference: In 1957, Gambino organized the Apalachin Conference, a meeting of crime bosses from across the United States. The conference was so successful that it was later called “the Crime of the Century”. The conference allowed the Mafia to unite, divide up territories and plan criminal activities without fear of law enforcement.
2. The Genovese Crime Family: Under Gambino’s leadership, the Genovese Crime Family became the most powerful Mafia family in the country. He was also instrumental in helping to unify the Five Families, which was a coalition of the most powerful crime families in the US, and helped consolidate power for the Mafia.
3. The French Connection: Gambino and his associates were involved in drug trafficking and smuggling in the 1960s and 70s. He helped develop the French Connection, which was a huge international drug smuggling ring that was responsible for supplying a large portion of the United States’ heroin.
4. The Lufthansa Heist: Gambino and his associates were also involved in the infamous 1978 Lufthansa Heist, which is still one of the largest cash robberies in US history. The stolen money was never recovered, even after the FBI spent years investigating it.
5. The S&A Restaurant: The S&A Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY was owned by Gambino’s associates and was used as a meeting place for Mafia members and associates. The restaurant was also a frequent target for law enforcement, as it was a known mob hangout.
These five examples highlight some of Carlo Gambino's most famous and successful criminal activities. His actions demonstrated his strength and influence, and his ability to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. Gambino was one of the most feared and successful mobsters in American history.