Albert Geddis Martinez, better known as Alpo Martinez, Abraham G. Rodriquez (witness protection), or more simply as Alpo or Po (June 8, 1966 – October 31, 2021) was an American drug dealer from Harlem, New York City of Puerto Rican descent. He rose to prominence in the mid–1980s. In addition to New York, Martinez expanded his drug trade to other cities, notably Washington, D.C.
Alpo Martinez | |
|---|---|
 Martinez, c. 1986. | |
| Born | Albert Geddis Martinez June 8, 1966 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | October 31, 2021 (aged 55) New York City, U.S. |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation | Drug lord |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction(s) | a) murder b) conspiracy to commit murder c) various drug charges |
| Criminal charge | a) 14 counts b) 1 count c) several counts |
| Penalty | 35–year sentence |
Date apprehended | November 6, 1991[1] |
Biography edit
Martinez started selling drugs at 13 years old in the East Harlem section of New York. He was of Puerto Rican descent. In 1985, he met West Side Harlem drug dealer Azie Faison.[2] Martinez started to move up the chain of drug dealers in Harlem and eventually became one of the biggest drug dealers in the city.[3] Martinez later moved to Washington, D.C. to expand operations where he quickly became involved in the city's underworld and elevated his drug activities. He met Wayne 'Silk' Perry, a notorious gangster and D.C. enforcer, who would later become his bodyguard and hitman.[4]
Arrest edit
On November 7, 1991, Martinez was arrested in Washington, D.C. for selling drugs. He was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, various drug charges, and 14 counts of murder, including the murder of former friend and drug dealing partner Rich Porter, D.C drug dealer Michael Anthony Salters aka Fray[5] and Brooklyn drug dealer Demencio Benson.[6] Facing the possibility of either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, Martinez turned informant and testified against members of his organization.[7] For his testimony against Perry (who received five consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole), Martinez was sentenced to 35 years in prison.[8][9]
2015 release edit
Martinez was released in 2015 while serving a 25-year sentence for 14 counts of murder at ADX Florence, a federal supermax prison located in Fremont County, Colorado. He was released after testifying against former associates and had been living under a United States witness protection program in Lewiston, Maine, under the assumed name, Abraham G. Rodriquez, until shortly before his death in 2021.[10][11] According to the website, Martinez was in the federal witness protection program awaiting a new identity.[12]
Death edit
On the morning of October 31, 2021, at 3:30am, Martinez was fatally shot five times in Harlem, New York, while seated in his 2017 Dodge Ram according to various media outlets including The Source magazine, Hot 97, AllHipHop and The New York Times.[13][14][15][16] Shakeem Parker was later charged with his murder.[17][18] Several media outlets reported that Martinez was killed over a road rage incident.[19][20]
In popular culture edit
Martinez was portrayed by rapper and actor Cam'ron in the 2002 film Paid In Full which was based on the criminal exploits of Martinez, Azie Faison and Rich Porter.[21] Martinez is referenced in several hip hop and rap songs, including:
- 50 Cent – Ghetto Qu'ran
- Big L – American Dream
- Bodega Bamz – Bam Bam
- Camron – Double Up
- Don Trip & Starlito – Caesar and Brutus
- Drake – Talk Up ft. Jay-Z
- Eastside 80s – Alpo
- Elcamino – Venice Beach ft. Benny the Butcher
- Elias – Alpo Martinez
- Freddie Gibbs and Madlib – Palmolive ft. Pusha T and Killer Mike
- Future – In Her Mouth
- The Game – Money
- The Game – My Life
- Jay-Z – La Familia
- K Koke – Why Not
- Lil Boosie – Betrayed
- Lucki - MADE MY DAY
- Meek Mill – Rich Porter
- Meek Mill – Tony Story
- Memphis Bleek – My Mind Right (Remix)
- Mysonne's "Freestyle on Funk Flex [Hot 97]"
- Nas – Memory Lane (Sittin' In Da Park)
- Nas – Accident Murderers
- Popperazzi Po – Alpo
- Pusha T – F.I.F.A.
- Shad Da God – Rich & Alpo
- Shyne – That's Gangsta
- Uncle Murda – Rap Up 2021
- Youngs Teflon & K-Trap – Alpo
- G. Twilight & Maserati Rick Jr. – Keep Em' Close
- Isha - Scanner
- mysonne - funk flex freestyle
- Clavish - Daily Dappy Freestyle
References edit
- ^ The Washington Post, "FBI Arrests Long-Sought Drug Suspect", November 8, 1991.Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- ^ Paid In Full Archived September 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, DonDiva magazine. Retrieved November 6, v 2017.
- ^ "Alpo Martinez: Where is the Infamous Harlem Drug Kingpin?". LatinTRENDS.com. April 7, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
- ^ Wayne 'Silk' Perry Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ Michael Fray Archived September 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine DonDiva Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "Alpo had Demincio Killed" Archived September 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine DonDiva Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "Wayne Perry Speaks" Archived September 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine DonDiva Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ (June 24, 2011) Top 5 Notorious Gangsters Turned Informants Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ The Washington Post, "Man Sought in Killings Indicted in Drug Ring", December 20, 1991.Retrieved March 11, 2020.
- ^ "Former drug kingpin led surprisingly simple life in Lewiston". SunJournal.com. November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
- ^ "Editorial: NYC Drug Kingpin Alberto 'Alpo' Martinez Released From Prison". VannDigital. September 10, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "Alpo Comes Out Of Hiding Smiling Like He Never Killed Rich Porter". VannDigital. February 12, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "'Paid N' Full' Inspiration Alpo Martinez Shot & Killed In His Harlem Apartment In A Drive-By". Hot97. October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ courtneyb (October 31, 2021). "The Source |Notorious Drug Dealer Alberto 'Alpo' Martinez Murdered in Harlem". The Source. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Infamous Drug Dealer Alberto "Alpo" Martinez Reportedly Killed In Drive-By". AllHipHop. October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
- ^ "Alpo Martinez Killed In Drive-By Shooting". VannDigital. October 31, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
- ^ "Arrest in Alpo Martinez murder case". FOX 5 New York. February 28, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "New York police make arrest in murder of former Lewiston resident Alpo Martinez". The Sun Journal. February 28, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Alpo Martinez killed over road rage, not betrayal, reports claim". FOX 5 New York. March 1, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Road Rage, Not Betrayal, Was Behind Informant's Killing, Authorities Say (Alpo Martinez, a former Harlem drug kingpin who became an informant, was killed not for snitching but because of a simmering feud over his erratic driving, a law enforcement official said)". New York Times. March 1, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Rich, Alpo, and Azie: one of the most infamous New York City drug kingpins". Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2014.