|
The Motor city has seen it's fair share of violent and financially successful drug rings, few if any came close to matching the accomplishments of the Chaldean syndicate headed by young Khairi Kalasho. Groups such as Young Boys Inc., Best Friends, the Curry and Chambers brothers all earned millions from their sale of illicit drugs like crack and heroin, but all were dependent upon someone else to supply them with the bulk of their inventory. Only the operation headed by Reginald Davis operated on the level of the Kalasho syndicate. At the height of their success, the Kalasho's moved an estimated 100 kilos per month secured from agents of the Medellin Cartel.
One of two prominent connections the group made to ensure a steady supply of product for their customers in and around the Detroit area. While investigators place the number of Kalasho henchmen at a high of 200, the nucleus of the group was comprised of syndicate namesake Harry Kalasho, his cousin Ray Akrawi, Basil Mezy and Ead Ballo. Kalasho organized a group of close friends and relatives transforming them from a collection of small time peddlers into a multi-million dollar international crime syndicate in little more than two years. Kalasho's charm, quick wit and easy smile endeared him to his most trusted henchmen, but he enforced his rule with a ruthlessness unmatched by his foes. The Kalasho organization suffered a series of debilitating set backs highlighted by the seizure of 100 kilos of cocaine in route from Florida and the shooting of Khairi "Harry" Kalasho a year later. Kalasho died of his wounds on February 20, 1989 making way for the ascent of his 21 year old cousin Ray Akrawi to succeed him as the head of the syndicate. Akrawi's reign would be marred by his attempts to avenge his cousin's death ultimately costing him a year and a half in prison. Ray's father Louis made a half hearted attempt to continue the operation but was quickly caught and sentenced to a long prison term for murder. This closed the books on the Kalasho/Akrawi crime syndicate as a major player in the drug market. The family name would become front page news later when a former employee of the family owned Prestige Barbecue gunned down for members of the family in a robbery. |
|
