Former Drug Kingpin, Ike Atkinson, Releases New DVD


Raleigh, North Carolina – In the movie “American Gangster,” Ike Atkinson appears as the minor character “Nate,” who is depicted as gangster Frank Lucas’s cousin and as the drug trafficker who helped Lucas established the Asian heroin pipeline from Thailand to the U.S. These were two of many of the Lucas’ lies exposed in the recently released. award-winning book, Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers by Ron Chepesiuk. This month Sergeant Smack was awarded the Best Crime Nonfiction by Books & Authors.net.

“‘American Gangster’ is a fairy tale told by Hollywood,” Chepesiuk said. “It should have been produced by Walt Disney.”

But now in a fascinating documentary interview, “Ike Atkinson, Kingpin– In his Own Words,” Atkinson tells own his story and further sets the record straight. The former kingpin, who operated the largest drug smuggling enterprise in the 1970s, talks about growing up in the rural south, his life in the military and as a gambler and a hustler, his rise and fall as a big time drug dealer, his relationship with Frank Lucas, the 32 years he spent in prison and his life since his release. Those who have an appreciation for the truth will want to listen closely and take note, as the real American Gangster at long last speaks out. The production’s running time is 63 minutes.


Ike Atkinson, then and now

“It has been really gratifying to get my true story told both in print and on the screen,” Atkinson revealed. “The DVD and book complement each other and provide a complete picture.”

Atkinson led a remarkable life as an adventurer, gambler and drug trafficker. He never carried a gun, never committed murder and never bowed down to the infamous Italian La Cosa Nostra. Atkinson was the first African American drug kingpin to have a DEA task force set up specifically to bring him down.

As a former U.S. Army Master Sergeant, he utilized his intellect and charm to smuggle, by conservative estimates, 1000 pounds of heroin annually from Bangkok, Thailand, through U.S. military bases into the United States from 1968 to 1975. Atkinson’s legendary enterprise was so complex and profitable, it easily rivaled that of modern day hoodlums, the Black Mafia Family.

Ike Atkinson is also the subject of the cover story for the current Don Diva magazine issue. The title of the cover story reads:”The Biggest African American Drug Dealer in History.”

On Saturday, October 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, Ike and Ron will be signing copies of the new DVD and their book, Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson Kingpin, and his Band of Bothers, at Hue-Man Book Store and Café in Harlem. On Sunday, October 17, Ike Atkinson and Ron Chepesiuk will sign copies at Black Star Music and Video in Harlem from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

People in the Philadelphia area can catch Ike and Ron on October 13 at the Black and Nobel Book Store from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the Mill Creek Tavern from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Come to any these venues and meet and chat with Ike and Ron. For further information contact Strategic Media books at strategicmediabooks@gmail.com

The DVD, “Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, In His Own Words,” and “Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers” are available at http://www.ikeatkinsonkingpin.com, http://www.strategicmediabooks.com, www.Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, and through local book stores.

See and hear from Ike Atkinson himself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xuic5LtoUI and read about him at http://www.IkeAtkinsonKingpin.com.

For more information about Ron Chepesiuk, go to http://www.ronchepesiuk.com/ . You can also ‘friend’ both Ron Chepesiuk and Ike Atkinson on Facebook.com.



New Biography of Drug Kingpin Ike Atkinson Hits Bookshelves June 21

Raleigh, North Carolina – In what might be considered a ‘literary’ showdown, award winning crime author Ron Chepesiuk uncovers one of the biggest hoaxes in the history of the international drug trade in his new release, “Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and his Band of Brothers.” Slated to hit bookshelves on June 21, just days after “American Gangster” Frank Lucas’ book is released, “Sergeant Smack” details the true legend of Ike Atkinson, one of the biggest Black drug traffickers in U.S. history.

Atkinson pioneered some of the most innovative methods used in international drug smuggling. They ranged from duffle and AWOL bags, to the U.S. Army Postal System to the use of unsuspecting crew chiefs who operated military aircraft to teakwood furniture.

But, contrary to popular belief, Atkinson’s methods did not include the bogus cadaver-heroin smuggling connection conspiracy exploited by Frank Lucas in Hollywood’s blockbuster film, “American Gangster.” The film not only distorted Atkinson’s historical role in the international drug trade, but falsely depicted Lucas as the pioneer of the Asian heroin connection. As the book, “Sergeant Smack” conclusively shows, the conspiracy is a hoax, as is Frank Lucas’ claims to participation with Ike in the conspiracy.

“One of the major reasons we decided to do the book was to set the record straight on the cadaver-heroin conspiracy hoax,” Atkinson explains. “It’s truly amazing to me that the media and the public have bought Frank Lucas’ story without checking it out. Lucas’ claims defy common sense. How could Lucas mastermind the cadaver-heroin connection when he was never in the military? Why would I ship dope via such a grisly method when I had much easier and safer ways to ship it? Why hasn’t anybody stepped forward to verify Lucas’ claim? Why has no one ever been arrested or convicted?”

Chepesiuk is no newcomer to uncovering crime. He has penned some 25 books including titles, “Gangsters of Miami,” “Drug Lords, the Rise and Fall of the Cali Cartel,” “Gangsters of Harlem” and “Gangsters of Chicago” and over 4000 articles and features. His last book, “Gangster of Miami” was the award winner in the “True Crime” category of the 2010 National Indie Excellence Awards and won the silver prize (second place) in the True Crime category of Foreword Magazine’s 2009 Book of the Year awards.

Chepesiuk contends that Frank Lucas stole much of the gangster legend that positioned him as Hollywood’s big ticket from Ike Atkinson. Now 84-years old, Atkinson was recently released from federal prison after serving a 32-year prison term. Deemed one of the biggest American drug kingpins ever to operate out of Asia, Atkinson, who operated in the 1970s, never carried a gun, never committed murder and never bowed down to the infamous Italian La Cosa Nostra. As a U.S. Army Master Sergeant, he utilized his intellect and charm to, by conservative estimates, smuggle over 1000 pounds of heroin annually from Bangkok, Thailand, through U.S. military bases into the United States. Atkinson’s notorious enterprise was so complex and profitable; it easily rivaled that of popular modern day hoodlums, the Black Mafia Family.

“It will be interesting to see how this ultimately unfolds,” observes Chepesiuk. “With both of these crime legends having books come out in the same month, readers should find it interesting to actually document the truth behind the drama. For example, in the movie version of his life, and in Mark Jacobson’s New York Magazine article, upon which the movie is based, Lucas claims to buy dope in Bangkok from a mysterious drug trafficker he called ‘007.’ 007 was in reality, Luchai Ruviwat, Ike’s partner!”

Chepesiuk adds. “What Lucas knew about the Golden Triangle he learned from his visit to Bangkok under the guidance of Ike Atkinson and from the stories he heard while there at Jack’s American Star Bar, a venue co-owned by Ike. Also, interestingly, Frank Lucas is not Ike Atkinson’s cousin, as portrayed in the movie. In no way are they related by blood!”

Ike Atkinson has publicly requested a sit-down interview with Frank Lucas, but it has been to no avail as Lucas has yet to respond.

Ike Atkinson and Ron Chepesiuk are planning an East Coast book signing tour that kicks off on July 17 at Black Star Video in Harlem, New York City. Join Ike Atkinson on Facebook for tour updates and details.

See and hear from Ike Atkinson himself
at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxaKw8QXU80 and read about him at http://www.IkeAtkinsonKingpin.com. For more information about Ron Chepesiuk, go to http://ronchepesiuk.com/ .

And pick up the “Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and his Band of Brothers” online or at a bookstore near you!



Former Drug Kingpin Ike Atkinson Challenges “American Gangster” Frank Lucas with Release of New Book “Sergeant Smack”

Raleigh, North Carolina – In April of 2007, 84-year old Ike Atkinson was released from federal prison after serving a 32-year prison term. There were no cameras and little fanfare as the man deemed the biggest American drug kingpin ever to operate out of Asia was set free. Atkinson, who operated the largest drug smuggling enterprise in the 1970s, never carried a gun, never committed murder and never bowed down to the infamous Italian La Cosa Nostra. As a U.S. Army Master Sergeant, he utilized his intellect and charm to, by conservative estimates, smuggle over 1000 pounds of heroin annually from Bangkok, Thailand, through U.S. military bases into the United States. Atkinson’s legendary enterprise was so complex and profitable, it easily rivaled that of modern day hoodlums, the Black Mafia Family.

And no dead cadavers were involved in the process.
A few years after his release from prison however, Hollywood released a blockbuster film entitled “American Gangster.” The film not only distorted Atkinson’s historical role in the international drug trade, but falsely depicted a snitch by the name of Frank Lucas as the pioneer of the Asian heroin connection.
Will the real American Gangster please stand up!
With the release of an explosive literary documentary, “Sergeant Smack:
The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers” award-winning author and investigative journalist Ron Chepesiuk, unravels and unveils the inner mechanics of the “true” story of the international chess game between the Ike Atkinson’s organization and the DEA agents who took it down. In addition, he lays bare the history behind one of the biggest urban myths ever, that of the cadaver-heroin smuggling connection conspiracy, pimped by Lucas to achieve Hollywood fame, wealth and notoriety!

Author Ron Chepesuik

Chepesiuk is no newcomer to uncovering crime. Having penned some 25 books including titles, “Gangsters of Miami,” “Drug Lords, the Rise and Fall of the Cali Cartel,” “Gangsters of Harlem” and “Gangsters of Chicago” and over 4000 articles and features, who better to lay it on the line about what really went down during one of the most tumultuous time periods in the urban community.

“Frank Lucas is the gang bangers version of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio,” Chepesiuk states. “The more Lucas has lied about his story, the taller his tale has become.”
There is no loyalty among thieves and Chepesiuk exposes Lucas as the culprit the late Mayme Johnson, widow of the legendary Harlem Godfather Bumpy Johnson, originally called him out to be, in her book, “Harlem Godfather: The Rap on My Husband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson.”

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Leslie “Ike” Atkinson was a charismatic former U.S. Army Master Sergeant, career drug smuggler, scam artist, card shark and doting family man whom law enforcement nick-named Sergeant Smack. An engaging non-fiction read, “Sergeant Smack” chronicles the story of one of U.S. history’s most original American gangsters.
Ike Atkinson

Under the cover of the Vietnam War and through the use of the U.S. military infrastructure, Atkinson masterminded an enterprising group of family members and former African American GIs that the DEA identified as one of history’s ten top drug trafficking rings. Ike’s organization moved heroin from Thailand to North Carolina and beyond during its period of operation from 1968 to 1975. It is believed the gang trafficked about $400 million worth of illegal drug sales during that period.

Unlike most drug tales, “Sergeant Smack” does not glorify violence and murder. It’s not a grimy street tale of drug hustling but an insider’s view into an enterprise that flourished right under Uncle Sam’s nose on military bases from coast to coast.

“Drug kingpin Ike Atkinson is the real deal, and not the stuff of Hollywood legend,” said Steve Morris, the publisher of the New Criminologist, who has reviewed the book. “The author delivers an eminently readable book about a genuine Mr. Big who knows that no fictional makeover is required for his compelling story – the truth is more than enough.”

To date, Atkinson is best described as a man who exuded southern hospitality, with family sensibilities. A true mastermind, his operational base extended across borders and was run like a smooth running business. A dedicated military man, even today many of the now retired law enforcement officials, who originally operated to put him behind bars, still remember and refer to him as a “gentleman.”

Notorious for the span, scope and inner workings of his operation none-the-less, Sergeant Smack’s criminal activities sparked the creation of a special DEA unit code named CENTAC 9, which conducted an intensive three-year investigation across three continents. Atkinson proved so elusive; it took the unlikely discovery of his palm print on a kilo of heroin to finally take him down.
With the release of non-fiction read, “Sergeant Smack,” both Atkinson and Chepesiuk hope to finally set the record straight about the Asian heroin connection in the ’70’s. Atkinson, who feels slighted by Lucas’ distortion about that turbulent period during the prime of their lives is publicly challenging Lucas to a sit-down discussion to reminisce and compare notes.
The recent movie, “American Gangster,” which depicted the criminal career of Frank Lucas, greatly distorted Atkinson’s historical role in the international drug trade. “Sergeant Smack” exposes the lies about the Ike Atkinson-Frank Lucas relationship and documents how Ike, not Lucas, pioneered the Asian heroin connection, with intelligence and not violence.
“I, along with Lucas, played a crucial role in a significant part of American, be it, gangster history,” Ike explained. “What’s done is done. But for Lucas to twist and distort the truth in an effort to manipulate history for his own personal gain is just as despicable as the drug dealing we were both engaged in. We are both just old men now. But I am anxious to sit down with him and a third party reporter and chat about old times. I seriously doubt if he will want to do it. I’m here though and my book, thanks to Ron Chepesiuk, is a vivid documentation of the truth, not the big screen fairytale he has sold to Hollywood and the world at large.”
“Sergeant Smack: The Legendary Lives and Times of Ike Atkinson, Kingpin, and His Band of Brothers” is available as an e-book now at http://www.ikeatkinsonkingpin.com, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble, with the hard copy version to follow in late June.
Will the real American Gangster please stand up? Read “Sergeant Smack” and determine the answer for yourself who that really is.
See and hear from Ike Atkinson himself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xuic5LtoUI and read about him at http://www.IkeAtkinsonKingpin. com. For more information about Ron Chepesiuk, go to http://www.ronchepesiuk.com/ . You can also ‘friend’ both Ron Chepesiuk and Ike Atkinson on Facebook.com.