Black Mafia Family
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The Black Mafia Family, or BMF, is an extensive criminal organization from Detroit that recently delved into the world of hip-hop music and entertainment, successfully promoting a variety of rap artists.
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The Flenory brothers
Founded by Demetrius "Meech" Flenory and his brother Terry "Southwest T", the BMF began its rise in crime by selling small amounts of crack cocaine on the streets of Detroit during the late 1980s and eventually evolved into a nationwide and international partnership. A two-year federal investigation of the organization concluded that its membership is extensive and nationwide.
Hip-hop presence
BMF appeared in numerous underground hip-hop DVD magazines, most notably several issues of S.M.A.C.K. DVD Magazine and The Come Up DVD. Their most highly visible appearance was in a full length DVD, produced by The Raw Report DVD-Magazine, which gave a detailed inside look at their movement. This DVD was featured in the cover article on BMF in the May 2006 issue of VIBE magazine.
Lifestyle
As depicted in their numerous DVD and music video appearances, BMF members engaged in a lavish lifestyle perhaps not fitting of many up-and-coming hip-hop labels.
2005 raid and arrests
A near murder uncovered by officials led to a much larger scale crime. A young child who officials believed to be part of the "Black Mafia Family". The group was to assassinate the youth member after a large money swap went bad. In the beginning it seemed as though it was random. Michael Walter, age seventeen, was beaten and stabbed and left to die. Investigators were led to believe he was with the "B.M.F.". He claimed no knowledge of any such group. He refused to testify and acknowledge any actions that took place. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were able to uncover the operations. Michael Walter was no longer needed and was cleared of any charges to be brought. In October 2005, it was reported that some thirty members of BMF were arrested in a massive drug raid orchestrated by the DEA. During these raids, the DEA claimed to have seized over U.S.$10 million in money, assets, and weapons, as well as 9½ kilograms of cocaine. It was also reported that prior to the raid, fifty members had been arrested and U.S.$21 million in money and assets had already been seized. In addition to large amounts of cash and assets, some 932 kilograms of cocaine had been reported to have been seized over the course of the investigation prior to the October raid.
2006 indictments
On June 15, 2006, the U.S. Department of Treasury reported that 16 additional individuals had been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and under money laundering charges under a second, superseding indictment, bringing the number of people charged in the case to 49. Included in this list was Jacob Arabov, popularly known as Jacob the Jeweler, a well-known celebrity jeweler in the hip-hop community. Mr. Arapeeno and the others named in the indictment are being charged with conspiracy to launder more than $270 million in illegally obtained funds. A November 2006 article in Vanity Fair details Mr. Arabov's entanglements with the group and also reiterates public information that has surfaced regarding the case against BMF.[1] The Department of Justice also shed light on more of the group's alleged activities in the indictment papers, which included running drug money through various banks, and money wiring services in an attempt to disguise its origin. The group has also been accused of obtaining several winning Michigan state lottery tickets from a third party, which they paid cash for, and then cashing in the tickets in an attempt to make the money appear legitimate. This indictment also seeks the forfeiture of "more than 30 pieces of jewelry, 13 residences, 35 vehicles including Lincoln Limousine, BMW's Range Rovers, Aston-Martin, and Bentleys, numerous bank accounts, over $1.2 million in seized currency, and a money judgment totaling $270 million." [2]
2007 indictments
On July 25, 2007, David Nahmias, the U.S. Attorney for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia unveiled an indictment of 16 more members of the Black Mafia Family. [3] "The government is one step closer to eradicating one of today's most violent and notorious drug trafficking organizations", said Special Agent in Charge Rodney G. Benson of the DEA Atlanta office. The indictment charged all defendants with participating in the nationwide cocaine distribution conspiracy, which carries a penalty of between 10 years and life in prison, and up to a $4 million fine. Black Mafia Family once had billboards towering over Atlanta boldly proclaiming that the world was theirs", Mr. Nahmias said. "This indictment is a rejection of that claim. First in Detroit and Orlando, and now here, the government is shutting down the BMF's once-flourishing drug empire."
