I believe that made the Rizzutos very powerful was the Consortium aka an alliance between italians,bikers,west end gang and haitians.

The italians controlled the ports using the street gangs to distibute the coke and splitting the $$$ was more lucrative and avoid turf wars but require a respected and feared boss.
Nick sr with the c aruana [BadWord] impored coke from the venezuela and nick sr was arrested here in the 1970s.
The bikers in canada was more powerful in canada so Vito made a strong alliance with the Hell's Angels but now Leonardo Rizzuto made bussiness with Salvatore Cazzetta dei Rock Machine.