The Connected Krays

By 1964 the twins added to their myth of being untouchable through confrontations with the press and the police. The problems with the press centered on the accusation that Ronnie had close connections with a member of the House of Lords. The government official filed suit against the papers for the accusation and forced the press to back off the story. Word was soon put out to members of the press to make every effort not to confront the Krays, due to fear of a similar legal action. That same year the twins won another major victory in court and made every effort to discredit the police and their efforts to harass them. The twin's beliefs of being untouchable, even by the press and police had by this time reached a new level.

Involvement with American Organized Crime Families also increased during this period. With gambling now legalized in England, the mob was looking for ways to move in and capitalize on the opportunities. The running of "junkets," packaged air trips from major US eastern seaboard cities that would bring in hundreds of gamblers anxious to try out their luck in England, was viewed as major source of potential income. The twins would be employed to make the needed arrangements so that the "high rollers" received first class treatment. The twins had established a working relationship with the American mob families over the years. Ronnie had a meeting at the London Hilton, with Angelo Bruno, the head of the Philadelphia crime family. They also had meeting with a powerful capo or crew boss who represented the Lucchese crime family, one of the powerful Mafia groups on the East Coast and New York. The twins also set up a friendship with the Genovese crime group, the biggest and most powerful of the five Mafia families of crime in New York. The twins made the most of these connections, allowing the word to spread to other crime organizations in England. The knowledge of their "connection" with American Dons did much to enhance the fear they could utilize against their enemies and business associates. Ronnie loved the fact that he could claim connections with legends of organized crime and played the role of the gangster Don to the hilt. These connections also lead an American businessman to approach the twins for protection from some other gangsters in the South. In return he promised that he could provide the twins with contacts and connections with criminal organizations on the European mainland. The twins were more than happy to provide the support requested in return for connections that would further expand their empire. They were starting to think in terms of international crime and began to become involved in crimes that extended across international boundaries. An example would be dealings with stolen bonds from Canada made available through their American mob connections. It looked like a bright future for the Krays. One where no one would be able to stand against their increasing powers in the world of crime.

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