The story of Tommaso Buscetta, known as Don Masino, is an inspiration for many artists. He was a member of the Mafia long before he took the oath. For years, he successfully avoided responsibility, and when he was finally judged, he lived like a king. Despite many years of activity for the organization, after the death of his sons, he decided to leave its ranks and reveal all its dark secrets. The life of the mafia boss, who was the first to break the omerta in history, was told by the master Marco Bellocchio himself in his film “The Traitor”.
He joined the mafia when he was 8 years old. Although he did not have the highest position, he was one of its most important members
He joined the ranks of Cosa Nostra when he was only 8 years old. When he took the ritual oath, he did not yet know what the consequences of breaking it would be. As a member of the mafia, initially he did not have many serious responsibilities. First, he was involved in blackmailing local entrepreneurs and enforcing fees from the owners of points with illegal gambling. Later, Don Masino became involved in the distribution and smuggling of cigarettes. It was also the first time he was taken into the hands of the authorities, but he managed to avoid responsibility.
In 1963, he received his first conviction for two homicides. He was also suspected of being involved in a massive heroin trade. He left for New York, where he started life under false documents. Although he was left with a wife and three children, he remarried and welcomed another child into the world. Soon, in the United States, he became one of the major players in the drug market, thus gaining the title of “boss of two worlds”.
In 1968 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for robberies and mafia stunts. He was caught, but bail was quickly posted and he was released. He then settled in Brazil, where he remarried. However, he did not end his criminal activity, and even acted even more dynamically, dealing mainly with heroin trafficking. In 1972, the Brazilian authorities set a trap for him. Despite many hours of torture, he remained silent as if spellbound, not revealing any secret related to Cosa Nostra. He was deported to Turin prison. There, however, he lived a royal life, kept comfortable, wore designer clothes, ate oysters for dinner, and was almost constantly accompanied by prostitutes.
Tommaso Buscetta broke the omerta. His testimony was crucial
In 1980, Buscetta was granted house arrest. Thus, he returned to Brazil and managed to escape not only from further imprisonment, but also from the carnage that the Corleone clan had begun in Italy. Mafiosi wanted to completely take over dominance in the organization, thus breaking all its rules and values. Don Masino did not want to be involved. He tried to bring his loved ones back to him, but it was too late. 12 members of his family, including two beloved sons. The cup of bitterness overflowed. Buscetta knew that very few adhered to the code of Cosa Nostra anymore.
In 1983, he again fell into the trap of Brazilian power. While being transported to Italy, he tried to take his own life, but he was saved. When he regained consciousness, he agreed to cooperate in exchange for the status of a crown witness and the safety of his entire family. A year later, he gave his first testimony, thus breaking the omerta. “I am the man I was.” But I no longer feel part of the organization I used to belong to. Since the 1970s, the organization known as Cosa Nostra has lost its ideals. Good people may consider them unclean, but they were once beautiful to us—in court.
It took him 45 days to tell about the activities of Cosa Nora and all the secrets of its members. As a result of his testimony, as many as 475 mafia criminals were accused.
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
