One of Don Corleone's main objections to the drug trade was that politicians and policemen would not offer protection. However, at the Commission meeting, the Don contradicts this by agreeing to use his connections to ensure protection in the East. There is no evidence in the films that the Corleones' power or political clout was affected by their drug involvement in any way.

My question: Did Don Corleone really believe (mistakenly) that the politicians and police would refuse to protect the drug trade or was he using this argument as a smokescreen for other qualms he had about getting involved in drugs?