During the 70s they established links with the Colombians already working with the Sicilians.
The Sicilians committed to heroin while Ndrangheta committed to cocaine. They saw it as more profitable. The Nirta clan formerly led bu Antonio is not related to the Nirta clan associated with the Strangio clan and San Luca Feud at all? To be from the same town and have the same last name while not even being related is quite the coincidence with such a distinct last name like that.
