Albert Geddis Martinez, popularly known by his street names Alpo Martinez or Abraham G. Rodriquez (the latter used during his time in witness protection), was a Puerto Rican-American drug dealer hailing from Harlem, New York City. Born on June 8, 1966, he gained notoriety in the mid-1980s. He built a powerful drug empire that expanded beyond New York to cities like Washington, D.C.
And if this is your first time hearing the name Alpo Martinez or you are wondering who owns the name, this piece is for you. Here you will learn all about one of the most successful drug lords in the history of the United States.
Alpo Martinez Childhood and Upbringing
Alpo Martinez grew up in a poverty-stricken neighborhood and faced many challenges as a child. Despite this, he was described as a charismatic and confident individual from a young age. Alpo’s early experiences in street life had a significant impact on who he became. He was exposed to the drug trade and saw it as a way to make money and attain the power and respect he craved.
He was also heavily influenced by other gangsters and drug lords in his neighborhood, who served as his role models. Alpo started as a small-time drug dealer but quickly rose through the ranks. He eventually became one of the biggest drug lords in New York City, controlling a significant portion of the drug trade in Harlem.
Rise to Power as a Drug Lord
Alpo Martinez was known for his ambition and cunning, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the drug trade in New York City. He was known for his business acumen and ability to form strategic alliances with other gangsters and drug lords.
In 1985, Martinez met West Side Harlem drug dealer Azie Faison and began his ascent through the ranks of the drug trade in Harlem. He quickly became one of the most powerful drug lords in the city, known for his ambition, cunning, and innovative business practices.
Martinez moved to Washington, D.C., expanding his reach beyond New York to expand his operations further. He quickly became involved in the city’s criminal underworld and elevated his drug activities. He formed relationships with other notorious gangsters and drug lords, including Wayne ‘Silk’ Perry, who would later become his bodyguard and hitman.
Martinez’s rise to power as a drug lord was built on violence, intimidation, and fear. He used these tactics to control his territory and eliminate his rivals. Despite his initial success, Martinez’s drug empire began to decline due to increased competition and pressure from law enforcement.
Alpo Martinez Arrest and Prosecution
Despite his initial success in building a powerful drug empire that spanned several cities, Martinez’s criminal career ended in 1991.
On November 7, 1991, Martinez was arrested in Washington, D.C., in relation to his drug activities. The charges against him were severe and included conspiracy to commit murder, multiple drug charges, and 14 counts of murder. This included the murder of two prominent drug dealers, Michael Anthony Salters, aka Fray, and Demencio Benson.
Facing the possibility of either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, Martinez made a crucial decision that would change the course of his life. He turned informant and agreed to testify against members of his organization, including Wayne ‘Silk’ Perry. For his testimony, which led to Perry receiving five consecutive life sentences without any chance of parole, Martinez was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
This marked the end of Martinez’s reign as a drug lord and the beginning of a new chapter in his life. As an informant, he provided valuable information to law enforcement, helping bring down other criminal underworld members.
Release from prison
After serving a 25-year sentence for 14 counts of murder, Alpo Martinez was finally released in 2015. He was serving his sentence at ADX Florence, a federal supermax prison in Fremont County, Colorado.
Martinez’s release was due to his cooperation with law enforcement, as he had testified against former associates. As a result of his testimony, he was placed in the United States witness protection program, where he was given a new identity – Abraham G. Rodriquez. Martinez lived under this new identity in Lewiston, Maine, for several years.
Death of Alpo Martinez
On October 31, 2021, Alpo Martinez was killed in a shocking event. According to multiple media outlets, including The Source magazine, and The New York Times, Martinez was fatally shot five times while seated in his 2017 Dodge Ram in Harlem, New York.
The circumstances surrounding Martinez’s death quickly became the subject of widespread speculation and investigation. It was later revealed that the incident was related to a road rage incident, and Shakeem Parker was eventually charged with his murder.
The news of Martinez’s death sent shockwaves through the community, as many had known him to be a gentle, harmless neighbor. Despite his troubled past, he had been working to turn his life around and start anew.
Alpo Martinez portrayed in popular pop culture
Alpo Martinez, the infamous drug dealer from Harlem, New York, has been the subject of numerous depictions in popular culture. From rap songs to films and documentaries, Martinez’s life and legacy continue to captivate audiences and inspire new interpretations. Here are just a few examples of how Martinez has been portrayed in popular pop culture:
- “Paid in Full” (2002) – A biographical crime film based on the lives of three successful Harlem drug dealers, including Alpo Martinez, portrayed by actor Cam’ron.
- “The Infamous” (2015) – A hip-hop album by the American rap group Mobb Deep features a track dedicated to Alpo Martinez and his life as a drug dealer.
- “Ghetto Qu’ran” by 50 Cent – This classic rap track features 50 Cent rapping about the life of a drug dealer and pays homage to Alpo Martinez and his rise to fame in the drug trade.
- “Talk Up” ft. Jay-Z by Drake – This high-energy rap track features a reference to Alpo Martinez and his life as a drug dealer, painting a picture of the dangerous and chaotic world of the drug trade.
- “Rich Porter” by Meek Mill – This rap track explores the life of a successful drug dealer and pays homage to Alpo Martinez and his rise to prominence in the drug trade.
- “Money” and “My Life” by The Game – These two tracks by The Game both reference Alpo Martinez and his legacy in the world of hip-hop and rap, exploring the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the drug trade.
Conclusion
Alpo Martinez’s childhood and upbringing, along with the early influences in his life, set the stage for his involvement in criminal activities and eventual rise to power. However, he was able to lead an everyday life after becoming an informant, only to meet his death controversially. In the end, Alpo Martinez’s life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of a life of crime and the consequences that come with it.
