Carmine Galante

Galantedead

Carmine Galante

Carmine Galante (February 21, 1910 – July 12, 1979) was a notorious American mobster and acting boss of the Bonanno crime family. He was also known as "Lilo" and "The Cigar" due to his habit of smoking cigars.

Early Life

Carmine Galante was born in East Harlem, New York City, to Italian American parents. His father, Vincenzo Galante, was a fisherman, and his mother, Vincenza Russo, was a homemaker. Galante dropped out of school at an early age and became involved in criminal activities.

Criminal Career

Galante's criminal career began with petty crimes, but he quickly moved up the ranks of organized crime. By the 1930s, he was working for the Mafia and became involved in various illegal activities, including bootlegging, extortion, and narcotics trafficking.

Bonanno Crime Family

Galante became a prominent member of the Bonanno crime family, one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime activities in New York City. He was known for his ruthless tactics and was involved in numerous violent crimes.

Narcotics Trafficking

In the 1950s and 1960s, Galante played a significant role in the heroin trade, establishing strong connections with Sicilian Mafia families. He was instrumental in the so-called "French Connection," a major drug trafficking operation that smuggled heroin from Turkey to France and then to the United States.

Imprisonment

In 1962, Galante was convicted of narcotics trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was released on parole in 1974 and quickly resumed his criminal activities.

Assassination

On July 12, 1979, Carmine Galante was assassinated while dining at a restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. His murder was believed to be orchestrated by rival members of the Bonanno crime family who saw him as a threat to their power.

Legacy

Carmine Galante remains a notorious figure in the history of organized crime in the United States. His involvement in the narcotics trade and his violent methods left a lasting impact on the criminal underworld.

Related Pages

• Bonanno crime family
• Five Families
• Mafia
• Heroin
• French Connection (drug trafficking)
• Sicilian Mafia