Christian's activities have attracted the scrutiny of several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Philadelphia police.
Last spring, Christian's initial overtures to take over the JBM were rebuffed by its young leaders, who had enough money and drug connections to call their own shots, according to law enforcement sources.
The sources said JBM leaders told Christian he needed to put up money before they'd do business with him.
In June, Christian appealed to convicted drug traffickers Hayward and James Cole, brothers whom some call "The Big Bosses" of the JBM, according to sources. The Cole brothers once worked as enforcers for the Black Mafia, police sources say.
Christian also turned to his son, Sulieman Bey, an alleged former member of the JBM who dropped out of the organization to help his father, police and street sources say.
In July, Christian met with key JBM leaders, and he has allegedly brokered at least one JBM drug deal, according to law enforcement sources.
Police investigators fear that as the JBM drug warfare intensifies, Christian could become more influential among the young drug group. Christian is noted for his organizing skills, sources say.
His return to Philadelphia was cause for celebration, with his friends in the underworld throwing a welcome-home party in March at one of his favorite West Philadelphia bars, sources say.
According to Edward Elwyn, spokesman for the New York State Parole Board, Christian is prohibited from associating with convicted felons and needs a permit to visit Philadelphia.
Although Elwyn declined to describe Christian's job, he said, "He has a job that calls for a degree of travel."
Investigators say Christian used the Islamic religion as a front for drug, extortion and other criminal activities in the late '60s and the early '70s. He and other Black Mafia members identified themselves as black Muslims.
