Chapter 11 Summary and Analysis

In 1948, acting boss Frank Costello orders the Luciano Family to stay out of drugs. Heroin trafficking is seen by the general public at large as unacceptable while other operations such as gambling and prostitution are met with either acceptance or indifference. On top of that, the Cosa Nostra fears the Bureau of Narcotics who doggedly harass the families. While the FBI relies on informants to gain knowledge about the Cosa Nostra, the Bureau of Narcotics infiltrates its operations with undercover agents who are highly motivated and more daring and less disciplined than FBI agents. Due to easy profits, many of the families ignore Costello's stance and continue their drug ops.

Valachi is arrested and sentenced to five years in 1956 on a narcotics conspiracy charge. The conviction is reversed and Valachi is released on what he terms a "bad rap." Valachi is...