Rayful Edmond, a dr*g kingpin once believed to control about a third of the c**aine trade in the nation’s capital during the crack epidemic of the 1980s, has died. We spoke to one one Raylful’s friends who believes that the kingpin turned snitch was poisoned.
Rayful had what appears to be a heart attack, after leaving a bureau of prisons operated gym. Rayful was officially released from custody, but was living in a halfway house in Miami.
The Washington DC street legend’s close friend explained, “He only had a few more days until he was allowed to get home confinement. He had a lot of enemies, and they took him out.”
Rayful, 60, initially received a sentence of life without parole and was sent to a maximum-security prison in Pennsylvania. He continued to run a dr*g distribution network from inside the prison, and when he was caught, Edmond received an additional 30-year sentence.
But almost immediately – Rayful turned snitch and began cooperating with authorities. Federal prosecutors, in a motion to reduce his life sentence, said Edmond helped jail dozens of other drug dealers and break up distribution rings and even taught prison authorities how to better prevent trafficking inside the prison system.
His testimony helped take down many of the world’s biggest cartels – including family members of Griselda Blanco, and members of the Columbian cartel.
Rayful’s friend explained, “He snitched on some Columbians, and they are the ones who poisoned him. That’s what I believe.”
Rayful, 60, was in perfect physical health. He was tall, strong, and was given a clean bill of health by doctors just a few months ago during his annual physical, Media Take Out confirmed.
The bureau of prisons is refusing to provide any information on his death.
Edmond, 60, was known at the height of his criminal empire as the “king of cocaine” in Washington, D.C. He oversaw a sprawling drug network that fueled the city’s devastating crack epidemic, contributing to a dramatic rise in homicides and the destruction of countless lives. Armed enforcers, wielding Uzi submachine guns, protected Edmond’s territory as he ran an operation linked to at least 30 murders, although none were directly attributed to him.
In 1989, at the age of 24, Edmond was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison for his role in running a vast drug distribution network. His operation was estimated to be moving up to 1,700 pounds of cocaine per month, generating millions of dollars each week. At the time, Edmond was a household name in D.C., living a lavish lifestyle that included sponsoring local basketball tournaments and frequent trips to Las Vegas for high-profile boxing matches.
His trial was marked by unprecedented security measures, and jury members were kept anonymous for their protection. He received a sentence of life without parole and was sent to a maximum-security prison in Pennsylvania. He continued to run a drug distribution network from inside the prison, and when he was caught, Edmond received an additional 30-year sentence.
He began cooperating with authorities. Federal prosecutors, in a motion to reduce his life sentence, said Edmond helped jail dozens of other drug dealers and break up distribution rings and even taught prison authorities how to better prevent trafficking inside the prison system.
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