Clerkenwell crime syndicate
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The legendary Clerkenwell crime syndicate, also known as the Clerkendel Crime Firm, is an alleged criminal organization claimed to be one of the largest criminal organizations in the United Kingdom.
Formed during the early 1980s by Terry Adams, with his brothers Tommy and Patrick Adams acting as financier and enforcer respectively, the Clerkenwell crime syndicate controls the majority of London's drug trafficking and extortion (as well as the hijacking of gold bullion shipments and security fraud). Using Afro-Caribbean muscle for additional manpower for the murder of informants and rival criminals (as would Sicilian mafiosi hired out by Charles Sabini and the Messina Brothers only decades before), as well as developing alleged connections to Metropolitan Police officials, the Adams family would hold a great advantage over other criminal organizations allowing them domination of London's underworld by the end of the decade. The shooting of "Mad" Frankie Fraser, a former enforcer for the Richardson Gang, in July 1991 was suspected to have been ordered by the Adams family. The organization is suspected to have connections to various criminal organizations, specifically with South American drug cartels. British media refers to the gang sparingly, considering their alleged influence, and normally describes them as the ' A' team or the notorious Adams family from Islington. Tommy Adams gained some public attention, during a trial in 2004, when he was described as having attended a meeting in 2002 at the request of Kenny Dalglish
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[edit] Members
[edit] Terry Adams
Recognized as the overall leader of the syndicate, little information is known of Terry Adams who avoids media attention. Reportedly one of the more charismatic leaders since the reign of the Kray Twins, the British press have observed his refined and cultured manner as a collector of antiques, wine connoisseur, and cars (including custom-built Cadillacs and Bentleys).
[edit] Thomas Adams
Tommy Adams is a member of the Clerkenwell crime syndicate, allegedly in the role of financier for his brothers Terry and Patrick Adams. One of the more well known of the Adams brothers, Tommy Adams was involved in a highly publicized trial regarding his involvement in the laundering of a gold bullion robbery in 1985 [1]. He is also suspected of establishing connections to other criminal organizations including numerous Yardie gangs as well as gaining an $80 million credit line from Columbian drug cartels.
In 2002, Adams was convicted of organizing a large scale hashish smuggling operation for which he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
[edit] Patrick Adams
Regarded as one of the most violent organized crime figures in Great Britain, Patrick Adams made an early reputation in London's underworld by using high speed motorcycles in gangland murders and suspected in at least 25 organized crime related deaths over a 3-year period. Although subordinate to Terry Adams, Patrick has participated in individual criminal activities most notably the failed 1991 murder attempt of Frankie Fraser and, according to one account, assaulted his son David Fraser with a knife cutting off part of his ear during a drug deal.
[edit] References
- Devito, Carlo. Encyclopedia of International Organized Crime. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. ISBN 0-8160-4848-7
