I think Conte was out of drug business for long time by time he became involved with Castellano.
Not according to Gravano. Gravano said that, after Gotti took over, he sent Gravano to tell Conte the new administration wanted the same arrangement (i.e. money) from Conte's drug business that he had with Castellano.
Gravano might have been telling truth, or he could have been making it up. Conte and Castellano had very big food distribution going through Key Foods owned by Conte, and Metropolitan Beef Chain, owned by Castellano. I think Conte financed his business through old drug money, but after he was up and running he seems to have stayed clear of drugs or anything else. He had to be tied to Castellano though early Mafia relationship he could not get out of. Or he liked staying involved for matters like union help.
