“Right now, the federal government is fighting a war on drug abuse under a distinct handicap, for its efforts are those of a loosely confederated alliance facing a resourceful, elusive, worldwide enemy.”

—Richard Nixon, July 1973, upon creation of the Drug Enforcement Administration

“There’s never been anyone like him. He was like a vampire. We believe he killed over sixty people. We followed him for three years. He always wore black. His face was very white. One night we saw him doing chins on a fire escape in a dark alley at four o’clock in the morning. It was an unsettling sight.”

—Agent David Toracinta

“If anyone deserved the death penalty, it was Tommy Pitera.”

—Federal Prosecutor David Shapiro

“Greed was the engine that fueled his criminal enterprise.”

—Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Liang

“After what he did to Phyllis, I hated the fucker.”

—Frank Gangi

“When he talked, he sounded just like a girl.”

—Lenny the pizza guy

“Three men could keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”

—Santo Trafficante, Tampa, Florida, Mafia boss

“Just say no.”

—Nancy Reagan