During the 1980's I represented Ricky Ross, a young african/American from South-Central Los Angeles who became a major crack dealer in the inner-city of Los Angeles. He singlehandedly popularized crack cocaine by undercutting all the other cocaine dealers in the city as he was able to purchase large quantities of cocaine at a significantly lower price than other drug dealers. As a result of his notoriety, Ricky became a target of a joint law-enforcement task force known as the "Freeway Rick task force". Ricky got the nickname because all his stash houses were located next to freeway on-ramps. This group of officers quickly became very corrupt,and engaged in stealing cocaine, stealing money, and brutalizing men associated with Ricky Ross. The officers were later prosecuted in federal court for civil rights violations. Much of this history is depicted in an American Gangster TV movie released on the Black Entertainment Network.
Ricky was eventually arrested by the task force, but I was able to get the case thrown out because of certain illegal conduct of the officers. Instead of counting his blessings and moving on in life, Ricky continued to sell cocaine and was eventually charged in Cincinnatti federal court for cocaine trafficking. This time we were able to arrange a sweet deal for Ricky and he again became a free man. Unfortunately, while Ricky was trying to go straight and be productive, he was contacted by his original source of cocaine, a major cocaine importer by the name of Oscar Blandon, who was serving time in prison but agreed to cooperate with the Feds against Ricky. Ricky agreed to purchase cocaine from Blandon, was arrested again, and faced trafficking charges in federal court in San Diego. Blandon, of course, was released from custody.
During the course of the San Diego trial, I became aware that Blandon was actually brought to the United States because he was involved with the Contras during the revolution in Nicaragua. The CIA was helping the Contras, and they were also working with Blandon; either assisting or allowing him to bring cocaine into the United States where he was supplying the cocaine that Ricky Ross was selling during the 1980's. This information became known as the CIA/Contra scandal and was widely publicized on television and in the press, including hearings in the U.S. Congress. Despite my proving in court that United States agents were involved with Blandon's corrupt activities, Ricky was eventually convicted and sentenced to prison. He has served his sentence and is now at last leading a productive and law-abiding life. This story is now being developed into a full-length feature film by a well-known Hollywood producer/director.
