Frank Lucas wasn't that big and only operated in Harlem, he was able to set up his own pipeline and circumvent the Mob's stranglehold on supply. Nicky Barnes was bigger and operated in all Five Boros but was essentially a conduit to the minority neighborhoods for Herbie Sperling, Matty Mafonna and the Lucchese’s. They couldn't challenge any one Family let alone all Five, no criminal organization had more influence on our society than the American Mafia.