Current Spotlight : The Cobra
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We have received an injunction by attorneys representing the subject depicted on this webpage. In order to comply, we have removed certain sections where facts could not be substantiated.
All photos have been obtained from public sites and social media. All legal names of the subject have also been omitted. While we understand that the statements in this publication have not been proven, we acknowledge that it is our right to report based on information that has been substantiated by our source witnesses.
Introduction
The Cobra is one of the most prolific and colorful gangsters that we have covered. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he made his mark across the U.S. and oversees. While he is best known for working as muscle for one of the most prominent Columbian cocaine families, he also ran a healthcare empire and was a successful technologist with multiple patents.
The most unique gangster of modern times
The Cobra is the most unique gangster that we have featured on gangstatales. He is unique for the following reasons:
- Started as a teen
- Worked for the most powerful cocaine family in the world
- Arrested more times than any person we have featured
- Has been known to plan suicide missions and take them on personally
- Extremely intelligent: was awarded the most prominent AI patent.
- Has been incarcerated in the toughest facilities from Detroit to LA to Miami to Abroad
- Founded and profited from several legitimate businesses including healthcare, technology and private security
Early Life
The Cobra was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to a father who was an engineer in the auto industry and a mother who was a prominent healthcare professional. According to all of our sources, his family did not struggle financially. But some describe the neighborhood he grew up in as being in a place that was between a ghetto and a trailer park.
In his early school years, he faced bullying and severe assaults due to his ethnicity and parent's immigrant status. To survive, he made friends with unscrupulous people. One such group were local juvenile delinquents that committed burglaries, petty crime and auto theft. Three people in this group eventually got caught while attempting to steal a Cadillac vehicle. In order to receive lighter punishments, all three named the Cobra as being an accomplice. The Cobra was apprehended and was given a chance to name the others in the group. He did not name anyone and due to this he received 6 months in juvenile detention in Pontiac, MI.
It was in this facility that he met people that would change his life.
For reasons that we have not determined, the Cobra and a veteran inmate named Luka got into a physical altercation. Luka's friends jumped in to assist him. While alone, the Cobra managed to get the best of Luka and his friends, putting two of them in the hospital while also receiving serious damage to his skull. Ironically after this incident the Cobra and Luka became in separatable.
The Cobra was released early due to his injuries and sent to Children's Hospital in Detroit. Before he was released, Luka gave him the phone number of his older cousin, "Pako." Luka explained that Pako has a lucrative business and is always looking for help.
The McDonald's Racket
After being released from juvenile detention, the Cobra got a job working for Mcdonald's. Within one month, he came up with a way to embezzle money from the restaurant by cancelling the orders that he served and pocketing the cash. He soon recruited his childhood friends to work for the company. He taught them how to run the scam and took 50% of all proceeds.
Within 6 months, the Cobra expanded this operation to 5 McDonald's in the Southeast Detroit area. The racket was strict- embezzle $1000 per day and then stop. With 5-7 cohorts in each restaurant, the Cobra began to earn $5000 per day. He left the business in the hands of a childhood friend and began looking for other opportunities.
Working for Pako
Using Luka's introduction, the Cobra obtained a position working for Pako. Pako's business revolved around getting pure cocaine from Miami and bringing it back to Detroit where it was cut and sold. This excited the Cobra and he accompanied Pako to and from Miami several times.
During one trip, when the Cobra was only 14, Pako let him drive. Pako asked him to stop at a gas station so he could buy cigarettes. The Cobra stopped and waited. Pako went in and then came back to the car. As the Cobra drove away their car was surrounded by the Miami Police. Four people in the car were arrested including the Cobra. While nobody in the car was aware, Pako had robbed the gas station using a loaded firearm.
The Cobra, his friend, and one associate were interrogated about Pako. The authorities made it clear that if they gave statements about Pako they would be released. The Cobra's friend and associate both took the deal. The two gave statements and were released. Severe pressure was put on the Cobra to give statements against Pako. Since he was driving the car they threatened to charge him with armed robbery in addition to other charges. The Cobra remained silent and was kept in jail.
Meeting Rivi
During his third week in jail, the Cobra was visited by Jorge Ayala-Rivera (aka "Rivi"). Rivi explained that he was the one supplying Pako with the product. He thanked the Cobra for remaining silent despite the consequences. After enticing the Cobra with large amounts of money and bail to work directly for him, the Cobra agreed. Rivi advised the Cobra that once they bailed him out he could not make his court date. And furthermore he would be a fugitive. The Cobra agreed. Some sources say that the Cobra took the deal because he was booked under an alias and was not worried about the fugitive status. Other sources say that the Cobra is not rational and is reckless. Regardless of the reason Rivi bailed the Cobra out and he started to work for Rivi and his team immediately.
Working for Rivi
It's not apparent whether the Cobra knew it or not at the start of his new employment, but Rivi was not a drug transporter. Rivi and his team were hitmen for Griselda Blanco who was the top cocaine distributor in the U.S. By all accounts, she was ruthless and vengeful. It is documented that she is responsible for over 100 homicides in the U.S. and was more powerful than Pablo Escobar.
The Cobra would spend his summers working for Rivi in Miami while going back to Detroit when school started. Based on interviews from three of Rivi's henchmen, the Cobra quickly gained favor with Rivi because he was willing to take on jobs that nobody else would do. They believed that he had something mentally wrong with him and this made him irrational and overlook the danger of the job. One witness stated that "there was a job that Griselda wanted done immediately, it was too dangerous and was basically a suicide mission. We tried to convince Rivi that it could not be done. All of us were on the same page. But the Cobra without understanding all the logistics immediately told Rivi that he would do it. This is just one of the reasons why even though Rivi took a liking to that kid, he was an outsider to the rest of us. The kid was like a cowboy doing his own shit. But me and the rest of the guys stuck together. Look he is not doing time right now like the rest of us. He claims that he was just guarding shipments. I'm not going to say shit...but just ask the rest of the guys, we all know that's not true. He is just as guilty as the rest of us. Just because he feeds homeless n**** and shit like that does not mean that God will forgive him. He can walk around acting like a doctor or computer guy but we all know who he really is. And when he dies, he is going to hell just like the rest of us."
During one of these "suicide missions," Miami police who were allegedly corrupt ambushed the Cobra while he was transporting 20 kilos of cocaine to a marina near Haulover. Instead of making a felony stop they fired at the Cobra with high powered weapons. As the Cobra made a u-turn to escape, bullets pierced through his Mustang and shattered his left hip joint. Another bullet shattered the driver's side window, ricocheted and hit him in the head just above his left temple. He was able to speed away to his South Beach safehouse and page Rivi before collapsing. According to all accounts Rivi personally came and carried him off with a full entourage. It is not known where he was taken but the Cobra's hip was destroyed. He was given an artificial hip. The bullet could not be removed from his skull. Metal staples were used to close his head wound. We could not verify where he was taken to recover. Some who we've interviewed say it was Ft. Lauderdale, some say it was in Rivi's safehouse. Most say he went back to Detroit, Michigan where his parents took him to high end hospitals.
During the marina incident a member of the Miami police lost his life. The Cobra claims that he was shooting in self defense. Because the police officers involved were off duty and could not explain what they were doing at that location, they did not name Rivi or the Cobra officially. But according to most people we interviewed, the Miami PD held a deadly grudge against the Cobra for killing one of their own. At police bars all over South Florida the word went out that the Cobra was a marked man and that any criminal on the street or incarcerated would get full support for killing him.
The Cobra allegedly wanted to stay in Miami. But Rivi convinced him to go back and stay to Detroit. His point was that not only was it dangerous for the Cobra, but he'd be endangering the entire organization. Most of our sources claim that this order came directly from Blanco herself. The Cobra reluctantly complied and was transported back to Detroit where he finished recovering.
The Cobra at age 15
An Avid Martial Artist and Bodybuilder
By all accounts, the Cobra did not use supplements or steroids. But with his discipline, he was in better shape than most of the bodybuilders in his area.
He competed and won several martial arts tournaments throughout South Florida and Detroit before being disqualified with his signature spinning back fist.
Life after Miami
Education
The Cobra faced several challenges trying to complete high school. He had missed a significant portion of his high school education due to detainment in Miami. And when he attended school he became involved in a number of altercations due to his unpredictable temperament (which was allegedly diagnosed as PTSD). Although his grades were poor, he was able to graduate with his original class.
After graduation, the Cobra gained admission in University of Michigan. It is still unknown how he was able to gain admission in this prominent University despite his legal record and poor grades.
According to University records and transcripts, the Cobra earned a 4.0 GPA his first semester while taking graduate level law courses in the pre-law program.
By the second semester his professors were so impressed that they recommended him to work with U.S. Congressman Sander Levin in a congressional internship. The Cobra was accepted into the program. He allegedly helped author multiple speeches for the congressman and gained several allies including one member of the Secret Service.
First Legitimate Startup
While the Cobra was attending the University of Michigan and interning for Congressman Levin he formed a company called American Clinical Resources. He took advantage of the shortage of health care professionals such as Physical Therapists. The Cobra sought out and procured health care professionals from India.
After sponsored them on H1-B visas. He would fill gaps within the healthcare system and have his employees provide services to geriatric patients and bill Medicare for services. He used unseen marketing strategies to earn contracts from large companies such as the Visiting Nurse Association.
The Cobra then created a software program that automated all medical note generation and HCFA billing. This gave his company a great advantage due to the fact that all competitors were still using paper notes that were error-prone and time consuming. The manual note workflow reportedly had a 30% rejection rate and took hours to complete whereas the Cobras application had an 99% approval rate and took less than 1 minute to complete. This meant that with a very small percentage of therapists, his company was able to earn more than most of the largest healthcare companies.
The Cobra's software application would also boost the Medicare reimbursement rate by using algorithms. Although there is no evidence of the Cobra studying Computer Science all sources interviewed stated that the Cobra programmed the software himself without any assistance. One source claims that he did this in one weekend in his office without food or sleep. Based on the independent technology professionals that we consulted the Cobra most likely engaged a large team of veteran professional programmers to create the software. They note that it would be next to impossible for any one person to accomplish alone in the timespan that it was done.
While our experts have stated their opinion, the Cobra (with his legal name) is the only one listed on the software copyright. Furthermore we have interviewed several sources who state that they watched the Cobra programming the software for 72 hours straight. They all claim that nobody else was in his office.
With the financial boost from the software, he was able to amass 45 therapists. At that point in time, the average therapist visit made $400. With the increase in visits due to the auto-generated medical notes, the Cobra earned more than any of his competitors. According to HCFA documents his company billed approximately 4.5 million dollars per month at it's peak.
The Cobra wanted to expand but in the 90's it was next to impossible to find qualified Physical Therapists. He attained plenty of contracts for therapy but was unable to procure enough therapists. The Cobra and Altaf came up with a plan. They hired people who were not Physical Therapists. They trained them and gave them fake credentials. Now with a large amount of "fake" Physical Therapists, they serviced all contracts and expanded beyond the largest healthcare companies. American Clinical Resource was now grossing 25 million dollars per month.
One year into the racket, the Cobra's office manager figured out what was going on. She asked for a meeting with the Cobra where she brought her husband who was armed. She demanded $10,000,000 in cash or would go to the authorities. According to all accounts, the Cobra handled the demand in a soft spoken manner. He agreed to pay the money by the end of the week. Before the week was over, the office manager and her husband disappeared. They were never seen again and their disappearance is still unsolved. There are several rumors of what happened to them but nothing has ever been substantiated. Their two adult children remain vocal about this issue today but nobody has ever been charged.
Deadly Competition
The Cobra's biggest competition was a Pakistani named Amjad Khan. Khan was a feared healthcare mogul. He owned over 25 companies including American Home Health Care which was the largest therapy service provider. Khan was known for his violence and bribery. All sources state that nothing could be done relating to healthcare in Southwest Michigan without Khan's blessing.
As the Cobra expanded his company started overlapping with that of Khan. The Cobra was warned by well wishers not to interfere with Khan's business. He did not listen. He took 3 of Khan's contracts in East Detroit.
The Cobra's company was hosting a Christmas Party at a local Olive Garden. According to 2 sources, when the Cobra went to use the restroom he was greeted by 4 of Khan's armed men. The warning was as follows: "You are stealing from Mr.Khan, you don't need the money...Mr. Khan supports 200 people from his village and you were born into luxury. As a gentlemen he asks you to stop, but at the same time you should know that he can bring a professional killer from Pakistan to finish you and be back in Pakistan before the White police arrive to study your body." Without laying a hand on the Cobra they left.
Sources state that the Cobra contacted Rivi who promised to send 4 people to help the Cobra resolve this matter. While waiting, the Cobra received another warning but did not budge. He was waiting for Rivi's reinforcements. The next month, Rivi was arrested and charged on multiple murder counts. Nobody arrived to assist the Cobra.
In the next month there were 2 attempts to kill the Cobra. He barely escaped with this life during the last one. Two of his former employees claim that he changed after this. They state that he looked like a different person.
The Cobra was able to figure out who the hired assassin was. His name was Hafeez and he was from the same village as Khan. The Cobra had his right hand man try to follow him to find out where his base was. Hafeez was obviously trained in countersurveillance. It took weeks before the Cobra's right hand man found his office. The Cobra tried to come up with a plan to eliminate Hafeez but it was too difficult to get him on the road due to his security detail.
The Cobra eventually came up with a plan and paid his right hand man a large sum to carry it out. The Cobra's right hand man waited outside Hafeez's office. Once he saw him in the office through the window, he drove a truck right through the wall of his office. He then jumped into a waiting vehicle and fled.
Unfortunately for the Cobra, Hafeez survived with minor injuries. This angered Khan and a message was sent to the Cobra to hand over all of his business or he would be dead in 24 hours. According to sources, Khan tripled his bounty on the Cobra with Hafeez. Sources say that Hafeez told Khan that he would not accept any money to kill the Cobra, it would be his pleasure.
A great deal of the Cobra's loyal associates came to see him and pay their final respects as they knew that his days were numbered. With no support, most knew that the Cobra's time was limited. The Cobra fled to a safe house in Detroit near Greek Town. Hafeez and his men hunted the Cobra day and night. According to sources the only person that knew the location of the safehouse was the Cobra's best friend from Kindergarten, Jason Peasant. And Jason reportedly stayed with him in this safehouse.
Cobra Strikes Back
On October 31 Halloween two trick-or-treaters showed up to Hafeez's home in Troy, Michigan. They were dressed in costumes and wearing masks like everyone else. Hafeez comes from a very conservative background and would never let his wife answer the door. So when the two trick-or-treaters rang the bell he opened the door. The trick-or-treaters immediately pulled knives and stabbed Hafeez in the heart and throat. According to witnesses they slowly walked with candy bags to a waiting car which slowly left. Hafeez bled out and died.
Hafeez was in the country illegally and this incident was never reported to authorities. While there is nothing to corroborate this, sources say that the two trick-or-treaters were the Cobra and his right hand man Altaf. Nobody has ever been charged with this incident.
The Great Exit
After Hafeez's death, Khan made it clear that the Cobra's life was limited. He called a meeting with the Cobra to demand that he hand over his business.
Khan invited him to meet at his office. Khan has over 6 bodyguards who are also assassins. It may have been due to this that the Cobra insisted on meeting somewhere else. By all accounts the Cobra had only one person with him who could protect him, Altaf. It was next to impossible to ensure safety. The Cobra set the meeting at the airport terminal. Sources say that he did this to ensure that nobody had firearms. At the meeting, Khan gave him one month to wind down and hand his business over to him. He also gave his word about the Cobra's safety if he complied. All sources claim that Khan was known to be a man of his word.
The Cobra immediately looked for buyers for his business. He made a deal with a buyer within a week. Sources say that the Cobra assembled a hit team from Columbia to finish Khan. Once he received the money for his business the Cobra retreated to his safehouse. Before the Cobra's hit team could get to Khan, Khan was indited on Medicare fraud charges and fled to Pakistan. His family was arrested and jailed. Khan eventually returned to Detroit to face charges in a deal to release his family including Fara Khan, who was Khan's only son. All of his businesses were seized and put into receivership. He was sentenced to a lengthy prison term.
The Cobra's sources told him that the government was targeting him next for Medicare fraud. He fled the country within 24 hours of getting the news. He reportedly told nobody including his family.
Protected by the Tamil Tigers
Local Protection in India
The Cobra's late grandfather was a prominent historic freedom fighter and loved by all in the state of Tamilnadu where the Cobra was hiding out. He leveraged this local sentiment and was given protection by the Tamil Tigers, a militant organization based in Sri Lanka that fought for an independent Tamil state. In the 1990's, this organization was the most feared throughout India and was responsible for the assassination of Ravij Gandhi.
A handful of these militants moved into a safehouse next to the Cobra's residence and begin guarded him in plain clothes.
Back to the U.S.
Killing of Best Friend
While the Cobra was still hiding out in India waiting for the statue of limitations to expire on Medicare fraud, he received the tragic news that his best friend, Jason Peasant was murdered in his Detroit safe house. By all accounts, the Cobra flew into a rage and flew back to Detroit under the alias Arjun Menon. Little is known what transpired during the next 3 months. The only thing known is that Khan's last 3 henchmen residing in a Detroit suburb were never seen again.
After this, the Cobra was not seen for 6 months. Some say he went into a deep depression and stayed in a Northern Michigan cabin. Others claim that they saw him intoxicated in Detroit clubs. This is an interesting observation because up until this point the Cobra was known not to drink or use illegal drugs.
Most say that after the death of his best friend he went completely legitimate.
A Gangster Gone Straight
Legitimate Business
By the end of the 90's, the Cobra started consulting with large companies on software. He used on of his many aliases to hide his shady past. Records show that he has written mission critical software for large companies such as Costco, Warner Brothers and Walmart amongst other companies.
Pioneering AI
Decades before AI was in general use, the Cobra founded a technology company named Blue Lakes Technology. This company was a pioneer of AI and Machine Learning. The company was awarded 5 patents in AI technology. Decades later once AI was in most apps, Blue Lakes received royalties from hundreds of companies using its patented technology. By many estimations, Blue Lakes earns over 10 Million dollars per year on royalties alone.
A Stable Life
For the next few decades the Cobra continued to create software applications and invest in real estate. He relocated to LA which is where he currently resides. He married a woman from his ethnic background who had ties to non-profit industries. He settled down in a suburb of LA.
Capturing the Cobra
Once the Cobra found out that the police were aware of his presence he immediately fled to the airport and attempted to fly back to L.A.
As soon as he entered the M.I.A. airport he was surrounded by the Miami PD Swat Team. 25 men with M-16 machine guns surrounded the Cobra. He was taken to an undisclosed location and allegedly tortured for hours. He was accused of terrorism and assault. The Cobra was denied legal counsel and placed in county jail for 2 weeks. The Cobra hired a celebrity attorney who was able to get him released on a $1,000,000 bond.
Net Worth
Assets and Investments
According to most sources, the Cobra is worth approximately $33 Million in liquid assets. He is said to own another $19 Million dollars in real estate property including a 3 story Redondo Beach house that one of his ex wives and daughter reside in.
It has also been reported that the Cobra holds a large but unverifiable position in a Texas hedge fund called Nanban Investments.
Retired Life
Family
According to several sources, the Cobra has been married multiple times.
Several sources state that the Cobra has twin boys who are currently incarcerated in the Dade Correctional Institution.
Additionally, he has an infant daughter with his last wife who resides in Southern California. According to our sources, he is estranged from his daughter other than providing financial support and an incognito security detail.
His parents, sister and nephews reside in Detroit, Michigan. They refused to provide any comments except for stating that they are not in touch with him.
Current Status
Active Warrants
As of the time of this publication, the Cobra has 3 active warrants for charges stemming from assaulting a police officer to attempted murder and tax evasion.
Flagrant Behavior
While the Cobra has multiple warrants, he continues to flaunt his money. He has been seen on over-the-top spending sprees on Rodeo drive with prominent hip hop artists.
The Cobra has even appeared in music videos with hip hop stars such as Tyga. He flaunts his wealth with high end cars and throws this in investigator's faces.
While the Cobra is banned from owning or carrying firearms or knives over 3 inches, most sources state that he always carries a Sig Sauer government issued .38 pistol with a laser pointer. Getting caught with such a weapon will surely earn him a 25 year sentence at minimum.
Fitness Modelling
Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein
While having multiple warrants, the Cobra boldly modeled for designer fashion brands.
Men's Health
Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein
The Cobra was featured in top fitness magazines.
Inevitable End
Miami PD's Vendetta
According to several sources multiple officers of the Miami Police Department want to see the Cobra dead as they blame one of their colleagues deaths on him.
IRS
The Cobra is currently being prosecuted for tax evasion. According to IRS documents, he owes more than 11 Million dollars in back taxes. They have placed liens any all properties held in his name.
Old Trafficking Rivals
Several sources who we have interviewed in prison state that several people who have had loved ones killed by Rivi are looking for an opportunity for revenge. Since the Cobra is the only associate alive and not incarcerated, he makes the perfect target. The sources state that it is only a matter of time before the Cobra is eliminated like Rivi's boss.
Ghosts from Healthcare Past
Many associates of Khan believe that the Cobra was personally involved in Hafeez's murder. Two sources state that there is a one Million dollar contract out on the Cobra from Pakistan and his right hand man Altaf. Altaf disappeared in 1999 and not been seen in the U.S. Their have been several reported sightings but none have been substantiated.
Summary
The Cobra has lived a colorful life. He has accomplished things that most gangsters can only dream of. But in the process, he has made enemies with powerful factions. As such, his days are numbered.