Part 6/12:
As urban crime surged, so did the family's influence. The mafia extended its operations, engaging in various forms of crime, from racketeering to drug trafficking. The “Commission,” established by prominent mobsters like Lucky Luciano, sought to create order among the chaos, formalizing agreements between gangs. Despite these efforts, violence persisted, resulting in grave consequences for both rival gangs and innocents caught in the crossfire.
Throughout the mid-20th century, the mafia infiltrated legitimate businesses, labor unions, and even prominent establishments like Las Vegas casinos. Their growing power cultivated a corrupt relationship with law enforcement and significant political influence, making it increasingly difficult to dismantle their operations.