Top Jamaican Gangsters
The story of Jamaican gangsters, drug lords, and kingpins is part of the nation’s history, marked by crime, politics, and other societal challenges. Over the decades, these so-called “Badmen” have held power over Kingston’s streets, becoming both feared and idolized for their power and influence.
Emerging prominently during the 1970s and 1980s, these gangsters often operated within the frameworks of political parties, neighborhoods, or crews that sought after to make an earning. Notable figures such as Claudius Massop, Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, and Lester Lloyd ‘Jim Brown’ Coke, among others, have left a lasting imprint on the island.
Leading groups like the Shower Posse and other infamous gangs, these kingpins and drug lords engaged in various enterprises ranging from drug trafficking to violence that extended their power beyond Jamaica to cities in the United States. These operations significantly influenced the country’s standing in global crime networks.
Top 12 Jamaican Gangsters
Jim Brown
Lester Lloyd “Jim Brown” Coke was a notorious Jamaican gangster known for his role as the leader of the feared Shower Posse, a criminal organization that rose to the top of the food chain in Jamaica and the United States during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Operating primarily out of the Tivoli Gardens neighborhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the Shower Posse gained a reputation for its involvement in drug trafficking and a terrifying string of violent acts, including murder and extortion.
The gang’s influence extended beyond Jamaican borders, reaching into the United States and other countries, thus establishing itself as a prominent figure in the international drug trade. Jim Brown’s reign was characterized by ruthlessness and a grip on power, often employing brutal tactics to maintain control and instill fear. Despite attempts by law enforcement to dismantle his operations, Jim Brown’s leadership persisted until his sudden and mysterious death in a jail cell fire in 1992.
Vivian Blake
Vivian Blake was a notorious Jamaican gangster, best known for his leadership role in the infamous Shower Posse, an organization heavily involved in drug trafficking and violence. Born in Jamaica, Blake moved to the United States where he became deeply entrenched in the streets during the 1970s and 1980s. The Shower Posse was renowned for its ruthless tactics and wide-ranging drug network, which stretched from Jamaica to cities across the United States, including New York and Miami.
Under Blake’s leadership, the Posse earned billions of dollars from marijuana and cocaine sales, and it was implicated in numerous violent acts, including over a thousand murders. Blake’s operations also played a significant role in the political landscape of Jamaica, often being linked with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). After years of evading law enforcement, Blake was eventually captured and extradited to the United States, where he faced numerous criminal charges. Following a plea bargain, he served several years in prison before being deported back to Jamaica, where he lived until his death in 2010.
Dudus
Christopher “Dudus” Coke was a notorious Jamaican figure known for his role as a drug lord and the leader of the infamous Shower Posse. Born in 1969 in Kingston, Coke inherited the leadership of the Shower Posse from his father, Jim Brown, after his tragic death in 1992. Over the years, Dudus amassed considerable power, controlling the Kingston neighborhood of Tivoli Gardens and establishing a network for the distribution of marijuana and cocaine.
His operations extended into the United States and were marked by ruthless enforcement tactics and strategic alliances with political figures, which allowed him to maintain his criminal empire amid efforts to dismantle it. In 2010, a highly publicized manhunt by Jamaican and international authorities resulted in his capture and extradition to the United States, where he was later convicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, and drug trafficking.
Zeeks
Donald “Zeeks” Phipps was infamous in the gangster world centered in west Kingston’s inner-city neighborhoods. As the leader of Mathews Lane, Zeeks had much influence and power. His rise to the top was due to an enterprise that produced millions of dollars and provided assistance to residents in the areas under his watch.
Zeeks’s activities extended beyond typical gang operations, often intertwining with local political dynamics, as power struggles and allegiances played a significant role in the landscape of organized crime in Jamaica. The government’s efforts to curtail his influence culminated in a high-profile arrest and subsequent conviction, showing the challenges of removing someone that is a symbol of poverty, politics, and crime in Jamaica.
Claudius Massop
Claudius Massop was a top dog in Jamaica’s political and underworld scenes during the 1970s, known for his role as one of the leaders of the infamous Tivoli Gardens-based Shower Posse. His influence extended across West Kingston, especially with drug trafficking and his alignment with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). The Shower Posse was notorious for its violent activities, serving as both a gang and a political force that significantly impacted the region’s political conflicts. Massop was not only a gangster but also wielded his power to influence political outcomes.
While his efforts in community building, though overshadowed, highlight a persona balancing on the thin line between the gangster lifestyle and the love of his community and people. His death in a police operation in 1979 was a significant event that further escalated tensions within Kingston.
Feathermop and Burry Boy
George “Feathermop” Spence and Winston Blake aka Burry Boy were prominent political enforcers associated with the People’s National Party (PNP) during the tumultuous 1970s in Jamaica. During a period marked by intense political rivalry and violence, they became known for their aggressive tactics against the political rivals of the PNP, particularly targeting supporters of the opposing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in areas like Tivoli Gardens.
Their role as enforcers was crucial in the politically charged atmosphere of the time, where enforcement gangs often acted as extensions of political entities to secure influence and control. Their rebellion against authority figures and society eventually led to their downfall as their lives were cut short by the late 1970s, meeting a violent end.
Copper
Dennis “Copper” Barth was a notorious criminal figure who rose to the top of the underworld in Jamaica during the 1970s. Operating mainly out of East Kingston, Barth was feared for his cold-blooded nature. He grew up near Tivoli Gardens in Western Kingston, an area known for breeding gangsters and badmen. Barth was not just a common thief, but he became infamous for his role in the murder of two policemen. Despite being convicted and imprisoned, he managed to escape custody, showing his skill in evading law enforcement.
As the leader of the East Kingston-based Hot Steppers gang, Barth orchestrated a series of bank robberies. His reign eventually led to his demise during a shootout with the police. Copper’s life of crime and eventual death highlight the turbulent period of the 1970s in Kingston, a time characterized by gang warfare was frequent.
Natty Morgan
Natty Morgan emerged as one of Kingston’s most feared and notorious during the 1980s, primarily operating in West Kingston, specifically in the areas off Spanish Town Road. He gained much notoriety through his alleged involvement in the Seaview Gardens massacre, a brutal incident in which seven individuals were killed. During a time when Kingston grappled with rampant gang activity and criminal undertakings, Morgan’s reputation as a badman or gangster spread rapidly.
He became a key target for law enforcement, leading him to evade the police and go on the run for several months. Despite efforts by police, Morgan’s ability to navigate and survive within the treacherous world of gangster life further intensified public fear. His story is reflective of the rough streets in Kingston during the 1980s, where gang leaders held substantial power over the community dynamics.
Sandokhan
Wayne “Sandokhan” Smith emerged as a dominant force in Kingston during the 1970s, establishing himself as the top gangster and don by the 1980s. He controlled territories in West Kingston, particularly around Olympic Gardens, Riverton City, and Waterhouse. Smith’s operations were not confined to Jamaica; he extended his empire across international borders, with significant ties to New York City and other American clientele.
His activities included trafficking significant amounts of marijuana and cocaine. Sandokhan’s notoriety was cemented by his violent nature, frequent confrontations with law enforcement, and multiple successful jail escapes. Sandokhan’s life would come to a violent end in the late 1980s.
Chiney Man
Eric Vassell, better known by his alias ‘Chiney Man,’ was a feared gangster in the criminal underworld during the 1980s and 1990s. Based in East Kingston’s McGregor Gardens, also known as McGregor Gully, he helmed the notorious McGregor Gully Crew. Under his leadership, Vassell became a key player in the network of Jamaican organized crime. He was heavily involved in drug trafficking, with operations in New York City. He gained a fortune, while being a ‘Don of all dons’ back in Jamaica.
Vassell’s reign came to an end in the 1990s when he was apprehended and extradited from Jamaica to the United States. He faced accusations of leading a significant Jamaican drug-trafficking organization that extended its influence to Brooklyn during the 1980s. This gang, known as the Gullymen, had a stranglehold on the New York drug scene. Ultimately, Vassell was convicted on federal drug and murder charges, leading to a 30-year imprisonment in the United States.
Dog Paw
Christopher Linton, infamously known as ‘Dog Paw,’ was an infamous gangster in Kingston’s underworld throughout the 2000s and 2010s. His reputation as a feared gangster stemmed partly from his activities around the eastern areas of Kingston, including Kintyre, Papine, and August Town.
The moniker ‘Dog Paw,’ which he acquired during his adolescence, became synonymous with his reign of intimidation and crime. Linton rose to prominence following the death or incarceration of other leading badmen in the Kingston’s streets. His notoriety saw him cycle through periods of freedom and incarceration. In 2021, Linton’s life came to a dramatic end during an alleged shootout with police.
Tony Welsh
Tony Welsh was a notable figure within the People’s National Party (PNP) during the politically turbulent 1970s in Jamaica. Known as a strongman, Welsh held significant sway as the former leader of Brandon Hill in West Rural St. Andrew.
Beyond this role, he was also recognized as a reputed don in Arnett Gardens, a PNP stronghold located in South St. Andrew. His influence was of the era’s political climate, where strongmen played crucial roles in enforcing party dominance over specific regions, often through force or coercion.