NCJ Number
25435
Date Published
1973
Length
231 pages
Annotation
DESCRIPTION OF A HEROIN RING HEADED BY AUGUSTE JOSEPH RICORD, RESPONSIBLE FOR SMUGGLING THE DRUG INTO THE UNITED STATES BY LIGHT PLANE.
Abstract
FOR NEARLY A DECADE THE LATIN CONNECTION TO THE ALREADY WELL-KNOWN FRENCH CONNECTION WENT LARGELY UNNOTEICED. DURING THAT TIME THE FRENCH-CORSICAN UNDERWORLD BUILT A POWERFUL CARTEL BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CONTRABANDISTAS - SMUGGLERS LONG KNOWN FOR THEIR DEALINGS IN CIGARETTES, WHISKEY, WIGS, AND LEVIS. WITH THE HELP OF INTERVIEWS, EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, AND COURT TESTIMONY, THE AUTHORS RELATE HOW THIS DRUG TRAFFICKING GROUP WAS EVENTUALLY OUTMANEUVERED BY A SMALL GROUP OF U.S. NARCOTICS AGENTS AND INTERNATIONAL INTELLIGENCE OPERATIVES. RICORD, THE KINGPIN OF THE GROUP, WAS FINALLY EXTRADITED TO THE UNITED STATES FROM PARAGUARY. IN DECEMBER 1972, THOUGH NOT A CITIZEN, HE WAS TRIED IN FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK AND CONVICTED OF CONSPIRACY TO SMUGGLE NARCOTICS INTO THE UNITED STATES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)