Exploring The Legacy Of The Black Mafia Family: From Crime To Screen

It's been almost one year since Season 1 of 50 Cent's Starz series Black Mafia Family came to a conclusion, and now, there is some good news for fans of the crime drama. Season 2 is coming to screens in January 2023, and in the meantime, fans will gain greater insight into the world of the Black Mafia Family (BMF) through Starz's documentary series, The BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast. As with BMF, 50 Cent serves as executive producer for this documentary.

The eight-episode series, which will air Sunday nights on Starz, depicts the BMF's operations, murders, and more. So, who was the real BMF? Newsweek has everything you need to know.

Who Was the Real Black Mafia Family?

The BMF was a notorious drug-trafficking and money-laundering organization, which was led by brothers Demetrius and Terry Flenory. Founded in 1985 in Detroit's Southwest neighborhood, the BMF had, at its height, over 500 members across the U.S. and generated over $270 million between 1989 and 2005. By the year 2000, the Flenory brothers had established a cocaine distribution network linked to Mexican drug cartels from their base in Los Angeles.

According to Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) documents, Demetrius was based in Atlanta, managing distribution, while Terry operated out of Los Angeles, overseeing shipments from Mexico. Notably, Demetrius also established BMF Entertainment, a hip-hop music business that acted as a front for their money laundering and provided an additional income source.

BMF Entertainment turned out to be quite successful, promoting and collaborating with prominent hip-hop artists such as T.I., Jay Z, and Young Jeezy. The Flenory brothers' dual life as entertainment moguls and drug traffickers showcased their complex and dangerous world.

BMF Arrests and Legal Consequences

By the early 2000s, the relationship between the Flenory brothers had soured, leading to a significant strain. At the same time, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, assisted by the DEA's Special Operations Division, initiated an investigation known as Operation Motor City Mafia. This investigation focused on seizing large quantities of drugs and gathering intelligence from BMF associates.

In October 2005, the DEA executed a large-scale drug raid, arresting 30 members of the BMF and seizing $2 million in cash, as well as assets like weapons and 2.5 kilograms of cocaine. Operation Motor City Mafia also resulted in the confiscation of $21 million worth of assets, including cash, jewelry, and multiple homes across several states.

Wiretaps of Terry's phone revealed concerns about Demetrius's excessive partying and the negative impact it was having on their operation. When they were indicted in 2005, authorities had amassed 900 pages of wiretapped conversations detailing their illegal activities.

Where Are the Black Mafia Family Now?

Today, Demetrius is serving his prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Sheridan, where he is scheduled for release in May 2028. Meanwhile, Terry was released to home confinement on May 5, 2020, after being granted compassionate relief due to health issues. This release was also part of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within facilities.

The BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast airs Sundays on Starz, continuing to shed light on the notorious legacy of the Black Mafia Family and its impact on the world of organized crime and entertainment.