| Founding location | Harlem,New York City,United States |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1972 - 1983 |
| Territory | Harlem, New York City |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Membership | 7 |
| Activities | Drug trafficking,Murder,Robbery |
| Allies | Lucchese Crime Family,East Harlem Purple Gang[1] |
| Rivals | Frank Lucas gang, various gangs in New York City including their allies |
The Council was anAfrican-Americanorganized crime syndicate inNew York City that controlled theheroin trade in theHarlem area of the city during the 1970s. Formed byNicky Barnes in 1972, the seven-man organization ran the heroin trade in Harlem, handled local criminal disputes, and solved other issues related to the drug trade.[2] The Council was heavily connected to theItalian-American Mafia in New York City, whereMatthew Madonna of theLucchese crime family supplied the group with raw heroin, which was then diluted and distributed in Harlem. At its peak, Council-manufactured heroin began to be distributed acrossNew York State,New Jersey,Pennsylvania, as far west asArizona, and even intoCanada.[3] Nicky Barnes was sentenced tolife imprisonment in 1978, and in 1982 he became afederal informant, with his testimony leading to the dissolution of The Council in 1983.[2]
The Council included seven people:
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