The Black Hand: An Organized Crime History Podcast

Bliss Grieve
  • 4.3 (19)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast that delves into the lives and history of some of the most powerful people and organizations in the history of organized crime, we talk about the history and members of the Italian-American Mafia, Cartels, or street gangs, and everyone/everything in between

  1. 09/19/2025

    Episode 63: Frank Hague Pt. 2

    Send us a text On part 2 of Episode 63 we finish up our look into Frank Hague. Last week, we talked about Hague's rise to power, that saw him literally change the political landscape of not only Jersey City, but the region of Jersey that it occupied as whole. As Hague cemented a nearly autocratic regime as Mayor in the city. But this week, we'll talk about what he did with that power during his 32 years in power, and how he eventually lost it. Including how he dodged multiple attempts by the GOP to unseat him from his position. How he continued to manipulate and furthered his control over the electorate of Jersey City. As well as his unlikely alliance with Franklin D. Roosevelt, that would see New Deal politics save his mayoral career, and flood his city with 10's of millions of dollars. Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    51 min

  2. 09/04/2025

    Episode 63: Frank Hague Pt. 1

    Send us a text On part 1 of Episode 63, we delve into the story of Frank Hague. The former mayor of Jersey City, who would form one of the most powerful and corrupt local government regimes in the entire United States. Including how he started out as a constable, with backing from a local political boss, and using his cunning and treachery to rise through the ranks of government. From being the Chief custodian at city hall, to a seat on the city street and water board, to commissioner of public safety, and only then to the position of mayor. We'll talk about how Hague's rise to power would changed the political landscape, system of government, and even local culture in Jersey City. As well as how he extended his reach to effect politics in not only his city, but the region as a whole, and all the way up to the governor's office. Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    51 min

  3. 08/28/2025

    Episode 62: The History Of Organized Crime In Papua New Guinea Pt. 2

    Send us a text On part 2 of Episode 62, we finish up our look into the history of Organized Crime in Papua New Guinea. By talking about 4 main topics that feed the country's crime problem today. Including human trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal logging, and the proliferation or foreign organized crime groups. all of which seem to really feed into each other, causing a cycle of crime. As drug trafficking establishes the smuggling routes, which aid human trafficking, which supplies the forced labor workers for illegal mining, a heavy amount of which is overseen by Asian organized crime elements in the country. Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    58 min

  4. 08/14/2025

    Episode 62: The History Of Organized Crime In Papua New Guinea Pt. 1

    Send us a text On part 1 of Episode 62 we delve into the history of organized crime in Papua New Guinea. A country that, since gaining it's independence in 1975 has fallen victim to almost all forms of criminality. Becoming one of the most dangerous places in the world at the same time. Specifically, on today's show, we'll talk about the background of the country that led to the criminal element. The Rascal gangs that have become such a huge part of that. As well as two of the countries biggest problems when it comes to crime today. Arms trafficking, be it legal or illegal, and corruption. For which PNG has ranked in the top 25% most corrupt countries in the last few years. Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    56 min

  5. 08/07/2025

    Episode 61: Bobby Shmurda and GS9

    Send us a text On Episode 61, We delve into the story of Bobby Shmurda and GS9. A crew born out of strife in the local underworld, following the death of a gang member who was a close friend of many future GS9 members. Which forced local youths to come together for protection, leading to the formation of GS9. Which would house G Stone 90 crips, 823 G Stone crips, members of 1090, and sets of the Bloods and Brims. But really the gang was united more by their rivalries, like that with Brooklyn's Most Wanted and Folk Nation, than any one gang affiliation within the group. Which would result in the 24 shootings and 1 murder carried out by GS9 in just a little less than 2 years. While they ran drugs on East 95th Street, from King's Highway to East New York Avenue. A run on the streets that would put their de facto leader, Bobby Shmurda, behind bars at the height of his newfound success in the rap game. Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    37 min

  6. 07/29/2025

    Episode 60: The Banana War

    Send us a text On Episode 60, We delve into the story of the so called Banana War. A conflict that arose in the Bonanno crime family from 1965 until 1969, and would see the murders of at least 14 mobsters, as well as numerous unsuccessful attempts. It split the family into two factions, one led by the incumbent Joe Bonnano and his son Bill. And the other, led by a former top Capo in the Bonnano regime named Gaspare DiGregorio. Which would even see the larger New York City underworld be forced to pick sides in a battle to the death that had the potential to sway history in any number of directions. Most of all however, it's a story complete with mob politics, future heavyweights, and lots of violence. Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    48 min

  7. 07/23/2025

    Episode 59: Waxey Gordon

    Send us a text On Episode 59 we delve into the life of Waxey Gordon, one of the biggest and most influential bootleggers of the prohibition era in America. He made his bones as a union buster and racketeer under New York heavyweights like Benny Fein and Jack Zelig. Before he met his mentor, Arnold Rothstein, who would end up giving him and Max Greenburg the loan that put them in business. Giving rise to a bootlegging enterprise that would become the largest on the East Coast, and possible the entire U.S. Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    42 min

  8. 02/28/2024

    Episode 57: The History Of Deputy Gangs In The L.A. County Sheriff's Department Pt 9.

    Send us a text On Part 9 of Episode 57, we finish up our look into deputy gangs in the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. Last week, we talked about the complete history of the Compton Executioners. But on today's show we'll be talking about a couple different things. We'll talk about some lesser known groups in the LASD that I haven't touched on so far, due to the fact that there's not a ton of information out there about them. And to wrap up the series as well as today's episode, we'll talk about not only the cost of deputy gangs over their 50 years of activity, but also how the culture of depravity resulting from them has affected policing in Los Angeles as a whole. And finally, we'll discuss what some academics think is necessary to deal with the ongoing scourge that is LASD Deputy Gangs. But with the end of our deputy gangs series, also comes the end of Season 2 of the Black Hand. I truly cant thank everyone enough for tuning in to and supporting the show, you guys are the ones that make this possible. So I hope you all enjoyed our deputy gang series and tune back in to the show for Season 3, which will release on July 5th 2024. PLEASE give us a follow on our socials: Instagram and Twitter: @theblackhandpod Sources: Background Music: Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro Music: Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Intro audio sources: Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation “New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc. Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company Support the show

    42 min
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4.3
out of 5
19 Ratings

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A podcast that delves into the lives and history of some of the most powerful people and organizations in the history of organized crime, we talk about the history and members of the Italian-American Mafia, Cartels, or street gangs, and everyone/everything in between

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