new-york-city

Bodegas are one of New York City's oldest and largest neighborhood institutions, with more than 10,000 spread across the city's five boroughs. But this century-old industry is fighting to stay alive under rising rents, cutthroat competition, and Zohran Mamdani's city-run grocery initiative.

Mike Dowd is a former New York City Police Department officer who became involved in drug dealing while on the force. He was arrested in 1992 and later convicted of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute narcotics, serving 12 years in federal prison.