Original Gangsters Podcast · Original Gangsters, a True Crime Talk Podcast

Black Brothers Inc Bust: Philadelphia Black Mafia Expert Talks 50 Years of Crime In North Philly

·49 min·1 clip

Bo Baines was the road manager of the Delphonics. He'd go to local disc jockeys and intimidate them to play records for Philly Groove Records.

A 50-year retrospective on the 1974 September bust of Philadelphia's Black Mafia (PBM), a major organized crime syndicate law enforcement ignored until 1972. Originally an extortion ring targeting drug dealers and vice businesses, PBM evolved into heroin distribution (60% of city supply) through public violence and intimidation. Key figure Bo Baines managed the Delphonics while intimidating DJs for Philly Groove Records - illustrating PBM infiltration of soul music industry. By 1973, PBM leadership were members of the Fruit of Islam (Nation of Islam paramilitary), using the nationwide 56-mosque network for weapons storage and fugitive hiding - exploiting law enforcement's religious institution search warrant gaps. The bust of 12 leaders (including Bo Baines at 20 years) represented coordinated DEA/strike force recognition of organized crime's Black institutional presence.

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