The Sollozzo Drug Empire was a criminal organization which specialized in drug manufacturing and distributing. Founded and led by Virgil “the Turk” Sollozzo, the organization had many drug fronts throughout New York, with drug labs in Sicily, Turkey and France.
History[]
Sollozzo's Drug Empire started to operate in New York City when "the Turk" brought drugs like heroin there from European countries, where he had poppy fields. He was in fact in the drug business before coming to New York, flanked by the Tattaglia family. In order to completely dominate the NYC drug business, though, Sollozzo needed allies. That's where the Five Families came in. Eventually, four of the families would agree to let Sollozzo smuggle drugs into New York and split the profits, including the police department in Little Italy, except the Corleone family, who preferred to stick to gambling and prostitution, a move Sollozzo anticipated.
Vito sent his enforcer Luca Brasi to spy on Sollozzo and Bruno Tattaglia, pretending to not be happy with his position in the family, however, when he came to a meeting with them at Bruno's club during the Christmas season, Luca was killed by them. That day, Vito was shot outside of his office by two of Sollozzo's men. Sollozzo also kidnapped Tom Hagen, and told him to convince Sonny to take the deal. Michael Corleone held conference here with Virgil Sollozzo and Captain Marcus McCluskey. Michael asked to be excused in order to go to the lavatory as he had to pee, but there he picked up a small untraceable Snub Nose gun that was placed there earlier by one of Peter Clemenza's men Upon his return, Michael shot Sollozzo and McCluskey, dropped the gun and made a slow escape to Sicily to avoid the impending Five Families War which he caused out of pure spite.
Sollozzo's rackets we’re later absorbed by the other four families.
Membership[]
- Boss: Virgil Sollozzo
- Enforcers: Lou
- Associates: Captain Mark McCluskey, Ollie, Stanley, Joe Galtosino
Partners[]
Fronts[]
- Sollozzo’s Warehouse
- Joe’s Diner
- New Jersey Drug Front
- Brooklyn Drug Front
- Hell’s Kitchen Loop Drug Front
- Little Italy Industrial Park Drug Front
Gallery[]
Hitmen in car
lou (left) with unnamed hitman.
Trivia[]
- All of the Drug fronts were protected by goons belonging to the Tattaglia crime family.
- Certain hobos and deadbeats, asking for money, can usually be found hanging around Sollozzo's fronts.
- Interestingly, Sollozzo owned only one warehouse in New York, however it is possible he also owned some unnamed ones.