A lot of people dont really understand that the mafia was actually kinda broke during this period. It's the only reason they initiated the Naples families, and got involved with heroin trafficking.... the families with links to the US were making the most of money...
At what point did the mafia in Italy become a multi billion dollar enterprise and surpass everyone else? Was it in the 70s(French connection heyday) or 80s(pizza connection)? You are right on, they were relatively poor in comparison to the American families until they got into cigarette smuggling and drug trafficking. I think they learned a lot from the American families.
