What is the relation between the Cosa Nostra and fast-emerging Russian mafia? Has there been a war? Is there a war? I doubt the Italians would just stand by and let this whole new nationality mafia take their place. What chance do the Russians have of beating the Italians? I say none.

I understand why you might ask that question, SSA, but it turns out that there's less to this than meets the eye. Russian Mafia got plenty of headlines here in the US, but a story in the NYTimes a few months ago said they were smaller and less effective than first thought. They're big in Russia and some other countries, not so big here. Mostly they shake down Russian immigrants here. They were involved with the Mafia in a gasoline tax scheme, in which they collected excise taxes on gasoline but never paid it. It was a big, sophisticated racket but the government caught on and busted it.
It's not new that the Mafia "lets" others into rackets. The Mafia has simply abandoned many neighborhoods to other ethnic gangsters, or has found the going too tough (or visible) to continue. In NYC, Asian and Jamaican gangs now dominate much of the drug business, and street-level gambling goes to whoever prevails in neighborhoods.

I suppose that the Sicilian Mafia would have no choice but to accept that other ethnic groups want a share of the goods too; in this day and age, a war would be disastrous, and that's why I don't think there would ever be another one. It would help LCN a great deal if they co-operated with other forces. For one, it takes the heat off them.

As a side question: does the Cosa Nostra have dealings with drug cartels importing drugs across the border from Mexico?

Mick

Hey Mick, good to see you still alive. Shit news about that lad from your end who died in that skip fire isn't it? When I heard his age and name I hoped it wasn't you.

Turi, I knew the kid, mate. I was in his last lesson with him on Monday. Tragic news. The whole school is in mourning.

Mick

What happened Mick?

A tragic story, DOuble J.

A fellow pupil at my school suffered severe burns when he was "locked" in a skip (one of those big, crate-like ones with doors and a roof on). He died in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Police have since question two boys who were with Michael (the boy who died) and they are now being charged with manslaughter (in case it has a different term in the US, it means accidental murder). I know one of the boys being charged (though no t to speak to, he was in my year at my school). I think it is a prank gone horribly and tragically wrong.

Yeserday and today were definitely the longest school days ever! and the saddest without doubt. I didn't know him too well, but was just laughing with him in last lesson (history) on Monday.


Mick

Very tragic...what exactly is a 'skip'? I'm assuming the American translation would be like a locker or a shed or something?

Sorry to hear this story, Mick. Hope you'll recover your usual good spirits. Keep your chin up.

Sorry to hear that. I will respond to this topic after I sudy both sides alittle. I know qite abit about the Russian Mafia. So right now all I can say is, scence I know more about the Russian Mafia, my vote'd be twoards them. My other reson to say the Russian Mafia is also because they get wepons from the Red Army. I know little to nothing about Cosa Nosta.

i read somewhere awhile ago that said the russian mob made the italian mob look like bitches. I also read in the magazine Maxim, someone was saying "you f*ck with the italians theyll kill you, but the russians are crazy theyll kill your whole family" it was pretty interesting stuff, its in the issue of Maxim with christina aguilera on the front.

My old neighborhood in New York where I grew up is basically the main home for Russian organized crime. The name of the place is probably quite familiar to a number of you out there. It is called Brighton Beach. A famous little town long before the Russians moved in and took it over.
I was living there during the change back in the mid-70's.
Quite a beautiful seaside community. Mostly populated with Jews of eastern European lineage. But as the children of these people grew up and moved away (myself included), the place got empty and rundown. The Russkies came in and took over and actually brought the place back to life. Brighton Beach is now a thriving, nuveau, artsy fartsy town.
Of course, the city of N.Y. and the council of Brooklyn had a lot to do with it because of the historical value of Brighton.
However, don't think for one moment that the Russian "mob" doesn't run things there. And yes, they are quite ruthless. Ya' know who does the muscle work and enforcing for them? Get this...retired Israeli commandos. Toughest SOB's on the planet.

Anyway...fingers hurt. More L8R

When I was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, going to Brighton Beach was a step up from Coney Island (though not as "classy" as Manhattan Beach). After a long period of decline, the Russians have turned it into "Little Odessa." Thriving shopping and restaurant scene, most signs in Russian. Visited a year ago--really jumping.