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Pitfall Crime
The Trafficante Mafia Dynasty
The Trafficantes rose to become major figures in organized crime in America through all the usual illicit activities of the sub-culture. The U.S. government even sought their help
Florida’s Crime Family
Based in Tampa, Florida, the Trafficante mob family had its roots in Sicily and became a major outfit through illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and all the other nefarious activities of organized crime.
Never mind the bad smell coming from the group, the U.S. government sought its help in dealing with Cuba’s Fidel Castro.
Santo Trafficante Senior and the Era of Blood
Born in Cianciana, Sicily, Trafficante arrived at Ellis Island at the start of the 20th century. Just 15 years old, he headed for Tampa where people from his hometown had already settled.
It’s not clear how long it took Trafficante to get into the illegal bolita gambling business but he was spotted as a useful recruit by mob kingpin Ignacio Antinori.
Also a Sicilian, Antinori was doing very well in bootlegging and the heroin trade. Trafficante merged his growing…
