Milazzo was now recognized as the senior Mafia leader in the area and the boss of the local Mafia. Milazzo was a close associate of the East Side Gang, led by Angelo Meli, William Tocco and Joseph Zerilli, three of Detroit's leading mafiosi and underworld bosses. Milazzo's Mafia group and the Eastside Gang maintained alliances with other mob factions, including the River Gang, led by brothers Thomas and Peter Licavoli who shared the local bootlegging rackets and various underworld activities with each other.