Frank Lucas was an American drug dealer who rose to prominence in the 1970s in Harlem, New York City. He was known for his innovative methods of smuggling heroin, particularly through the use of coffins of deceased American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Lucas built a vast drug empire and became one of the most notorious figures in the narcotics trade during that era. Lucas was eventually arrested in 1975 and sentenced to 70 years in prison, although he served only a fraction of that time. His life inspired the 2007 film American Gangster, which depicted his rise and fall in the world of organized crime. After his release, Lucas attempted to distance himself from his past and lived a quieter life.