Donnie Brasco

Widely renowned as one of the most successful FBI Informants, Joseph D. Pistone aka. "Donnie Brasco" (his undercover alias) was an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated New York's powerful Bonnano Mafia family from 1976-1981. The Bonnano Family at the time was headed by Carmine Galante, who through the Pizza Connection, became the single largest importer of heroin into the United States in the 1970's. The FBI was determined to learn the particulars of his smuggling operation, and chose Joseph Pistone to pose undercover as a jewel thief. For 6 years, FBI agent Joseph Pistone lived a double life undercover, and slowly caught the attention and admiration of top Bonnano "Capo" (Captain) Dominick Napolitano, who along with Bonnano family "soldier", Benjamin Ruggiero, grew to trust Pistone so much they revealed to him many important clues about the heroin distribution network. After 6 years within the ranks of the Bonnanos, Pistone had fooled his close associates so well they had proposed to make Pistone a full member of the Bonnano family, or a "Made Man". The only catch was Pistone was asked to execute Anthony Indelicato, who was suspected to have been involved in the murder of the former Bonnano family boss Carmine Galante. This signalled the end of the FBI's undercover operation within the Bonnano family.