Editing Lucky Luciano (section)

==Havana Conference==
[[File:Maison Lucky Luciano2.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Hotel Nacional de Cuba]] in [[Havana]], former residence of Luciano in Cuba and the venue for the [[Havana Conference]]]]
In October 1946, Luciano secretly relocated to the Cuban capital of [[Havana]], first taking a freighter from Naples to [[Caracas]], Venezuela, then a flight to [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil, before flying to [[Mexico City]] and doubling back to Caracas, where he took a private plane to [[Camagüey, Cuba]], finally arriving on October 29. He was then driven to Havana, where he moved into an estate in the [[Miramar, Havana|Miramar]] section of the city.<ref>English, p. 3</ref> Luciano wanted to move closer to the U.S. so that he could resume control over American Mafia operations and eventually return home.<ref>Sifakis, p. 215</ref> He was already established as a major investor in Cuban gambling and hotel projects. Lansky suggested Luciano and Siegel invest a half-million dollars to fund Luciano's [[casino]]s.<ref name="Newark, Tim Lucky Luciano p.183">Newark, Tim Lucky Luciano, 2010 p.183</ref> Lansky delivered the money to Cuban dictator [[Fulgencio Batista]], who was guaranteed US$3- or US$5 million annually.<ref name="Newark, Tim Lucky Luciano p.183"/>

In 1946, Lansky called a meeting of the heads of the major crime families in Havana that December, dubbed the [[Havana Conference]]. The ostensible reason was to see singer [[Frank Sinatra]] perform; however, the real reason was to discuss mob business, with Luciano in attendance. The three topics under discussion were: the heroin trade, Cuban gambling and what to do about Siegel and his floundering [[Flamingo Hotel]] project in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]]. The Conference took place at the [[Hotel Nacional de Cuba]] and lasted a little more than a week. During the conference, on December 20, Luciano had a private meeting with Genovese in Luciano's hotel suite. The year before, the [[United States Army Criminal Investigation Division]] had shipped Genovese from Italy to New York to face trial on his 1934 murder charge.<ref name="genovese guilt">{{cite news|title=Genovese Denies Guilt|url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/06/03/305170302.pdf |access-date= June 24, 2012|newspaper= The New York Times|date= June 3, 1945}}</ref>

In June 1946, the charges were dismissed, which left Genovese free to return to mob business.<ref name="genovese freed">{{cite news|title=Genovese is Freed of Murder Charge|url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/06/11/100998990.pdf|access-date= June 24, 2012|newspaper= The New York Times|date= June 11, 1946}}</ref> Unlike Costello, Luciano had never trusted Genovese. In the meeting, Genovese tried to convince Luciano to become a titular "boss of bosses" and let Genovese run everything. Luciano calmly rejected Genovese's suggestion, saying: "There is no Boss of Bosses. I turned it down in front of everybody. If I ever change my mind, I will take the title. But it won't be up to you. Right now, you work for me, and I ain't in the mood to retire. Don't you ever let me hear this again, or I'll lose my temper."<ref>English, p. 28</ref>

Soon after the conference began, the U.S. government learned that Luciano was in Cuba. Luciano had been publicly fraternizing with Sinatra as well as visiting numerous [[nightclub]]s, so his presence was no secret in Havana.<ref>English, p. 49</ref> The U.S. started putting pressure on the Cuban government to expel him; on February 21, 1947, [[Federal Bureau of Narcotics]] Commissioner [[Harry J. Anslinger]] notified the Cubans that the U.S. would block all shipment of narcotic prescription drugs while Luciano remained in the country.<ref name="valachi"/><ref name="narcotics cuba">
{{cite news|title=U.S. Ends Narcotics Sales to Cuba While Luciano is There |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/02/22/104318641.pdf |access-date=June 16, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |date= February 22, 1947}}</ref> Two days later, the Cuban government announced that Luciano was in custody and would be deported to Italy within 48 hours.<ref name="leave cuba">
{{cite news|title=Luciano to Leave Cuba in 48 Hours|url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1947/02/24/88760114.pdf |access-date= June 16, 2012|newspaper= The New York Times|date= February 23, 1947}}</ref>