What does the mob really control anymore? Are they working with the cartels? Seems drugs is where all the money is now, and the cartels would seem to run that show considering their proximity to the source, and their sheer dominance in numbers on the U.S. inner city streets where its sold. How does the mafia cut into this? I'm sure they've got something going, but it's just hard to make sense of how the Italian mob still exists in today's U.S. underworld.
The Mob still controls alot of drugs, remember that the Bonanno's controlled around 70% of all the drugs that flew through New York at one point. (I think it was 70% of all the drugs that was distributed in america but I don't remember)
The Cigar Gigante was whacked out because he refued to share it with the other families, tho at this point I don't think the Bonannos had a seat at the commission.
The Mob today mostly lives of legitimate businesses, also gambling and loan sharking. I doubt Poker-players would knock on the door of a crack house full of black gangs to borrow money. Most young guys lives of drugs and there is still alot of union involvement. You know about the Garbage scheme? The Garbage men charged a couple of bucks extra for picking up the garbage and the extra money went to the Mob. Can you imagine this in cities like Chicago and NY? where there are millions of people. They also invest in businesses such as Strip clubs, and collect their wig.
