I heard Calabrian mobsters are very active in NYC these days, so whats their relationship with 5families? Are they acting in the same way as the zips?

It's more a family affair with those guys like arranged marriages and they have endless ceremonies, pretty old school.

I agree the Calabrians put the blood ties beyond all. The zip are different and the ndrangheta dont need american mafia for make bussiness in the usa. The Gregorio Gigliotti case, he dont have to share his drug bussiness with other people.

Gigliotti was named a Genovese associate. This IMO is the new MO of the five families. Drugs are too profitable to ignore but too dangerous to get too involved in so they get involved with other criminal associates through financing and support. It's just the Mafia's standard practice of adapting to the criminal environment. They get a small cut and don't take nearly as much risk. The calabrians don't need the American Mafia, but who else would they reach out to if they're using NYC as a hub to move drugs?