Photo: New York Police Department. Original uploader was Hephaestos at en.wikipedia · Public domain
Born in Italy · Nationality Italian — Organised crime / Mafia / prostitution / Prohibition / wartime cooperation / deportation
Documented profile covering 11 controversies, including “1946–1962: post-deportation role linking Sicilian and American Mafia and persistent allegations concerning drug trafficking” and “1947: expelled from Cuba to Italy following intense US pressure”.
Profile No. 1914 · Updated on 12 October 2026
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
1946–1962
After settling in Italy, the FBI described Luciano as an intermediary between the Sicilian Mafia and American La Cosa Nostra. US authorities and several historical studies also associate him with the development of transatlantic narcotics networks.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
February–March 1947
When Luciano's presence in Cuba became public, US authorities pressured Havana to expel him, notably threatening to block medical supplies. Cuba eventually sent him back to Italy.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
Case · 2 documented stages
3 January–10 February 1946
Governor Thomas Dewey commuted Luciano's sentence after approximately nine and a half years in prison, taking into account, among other factors, his wartime cooperation. The measure was conditional on his not opposing deportation to Italy.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
May–June 1936
Following an extensive investigation led by prosecutor Thomas E. Dewey, Luciano was tried alongside several co-defendants over an organised prostitution network. The jury found him guilty on numerous counts and he received a sentence of 30 to 50 years.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
December 1946
A few months after his deportation, Luciano travelled to Cuba and participated in a major meeting of organised crime leaders in Havana, aimed in particular at coordinating post-war interests.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
1942–1945
During the Second World War, naval authorities sought help from New York underworld contacts to secure the docks and obtain intelligence; Luciano cooperated from prison through his networks.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
15 April 1931
At the end of the Castellammarese War, the FBI describes Maranzano as having conspired with Luciano, then Masseria's trusted associate, to have Joe Masseria killed.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
10 September 1931
After Maranzano consolidated his power as "boss of bosses", the FBI states that Luciano sent five men disguised as police officers into his office to kill him.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
1931
Following Maranzano's death, Luciano abandoned the "boss of bosses" model and established a Commission responsible for coordinating families, dividing certain rackets and arbitrating disputes.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
May 1929
Luciano helped organise a large gathering of racketeers in Atlantic City aimed in particular at settling territorial issues, alcohol distribution and cooperation between criminal groups.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
années 1920
Luciano became a major figure in New York organised crime during Prohibition, participating in alcohol smuggling, gambling and other rackets and developing alliances beyond exclusively Sicilian factions.
Last verified: 13 September 2026
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