Rayful Edmond, Washington DC's 'king of cocaine,' dies
The drug trafficker spent more than three decades in prison, where he collaborated with investigators to fight crime. He was set to be released next year.
Rayful Edmond III, Washington, D.C., drug dealer.
Drug kingpin Rayful Edmond III died suddenly Tuesday at age 60, the Bureau of Prisons said. Famous for his role stoking the crack epidemic in Washington, D.C., he spent most of his life in prison.
He was transferred from prison to a halfway house at the end of July, as he was to be released next year. The cause of death is unknown.
Known as the "king of cocaine" during the height of his criminal activity, he is credited with introducing crack to the district. He ran an organization of about 100 people that authorities estimate moved as much as 1,700 pounds of cocaine a month. During his reign, Washington, D.C., earned the nickname the "murder capital."
He lived a life of luxury and fame, sponsoring sporting events, driving Porsches and Mercedes, and spending millions in luxury stores, as recorded in the documentary about his life "The Life of Rayful Edmond" (2006).
He was arrested in 1989, when he was 24 years old. In 1990, a court sentenced him to life in prison on federal drug trafficking charges. He was also found guilty of drug trafficking at the Lewisburg, Pa., prison where he was incarcerated.
Behind bars, he cooperated with authorities in drug and homicide investigations. Thanks to that cooperation and an apology to the residents of the district, he earned several reductions in his sentence.
He had spent more than 35 years in prison. He was to be released next year.
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