Vivian Blake

Who was Vivian Blake?

Vivian Blake was a Jamaican drug kingpin who founded and operated the American operations of the Jamaican Shower Posse.

Blake was born to a poor family in West Kingston, but was granted a scholarship to a private high school, St. George's College. He moved to New York in 1973, where he started distributing marijuana and cocaine, eventually expanding his network nationwide.

According to New York Daily News columnist Patrice O'Shaughnessy, in a column printed on 30 March 2010, Blake is credited with the dubious distinction of being "one of the creators of crack."

During the 1980s, also according to O'Shaughnessy, Blake was responsible for flooding Bronx neighborhoods such as Soundview, Crotona Park and Bronx River with tons of cocaine and crack cocaine.

Blake and other gang members were charged in a multiple killing in Miami, but he escaped apprehension by traveling to Jamaica. After later charges were added, he was extradited to the United States in 1999. In 2000, he pleaded guilty to charges including racketeering and conspiracy, and admitted to his role in the gang. He was sentenced to 28 years, but was released on parole after eight.

After being released from prison, Blake returned to Jamaica.