This article highlights ten of the world’s most notorious criminal organizations, including the Mafia, Yakuza, Triads, Crips, Bloods, Russian Mafia, Hells Angels, MS-13, Black Hand, and Zetas. These organizations are known for their involvement in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and violent crime. They have a reputation for being particularly violent and ruthless, with numerous clashes with law enforcement and rival gangs over the years. These criminal organizations have a significant presence in communities around the world and continue to operate to this day, despite efforts by law enforcement to suppress their activities.
1. The Mafia
The Mafia is one of the most notorious gangs in history, originating from Italy in the mid-19th century. Also known as La Cosa Nostra, the Mafia is responsible for organized crime and various illegal activities, including gambling, smuggling, extortion, and murder. The Mafia gained power in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, with infamous leaders like Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. The Mafia has continued to operate to this day, with various factions operating around the world.
2. The Yakuza
The Yakuza is a powerful Japanese criminal organization, dating back to the Edo period in the 17th century. The Yakuza is involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. The Yakuza is known for having strict codes of conduct and hierarchical structures, and they have a significant presence in Japanese society. The Yakuza has been known to be involved in violent conflicts with rival gangs, and they have also been linked to various political scandals over the years.
3. The Triads
The Triads are a Chinese criminal organization that originated in the 17th century. The Triads are involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, gambling, and prostitution. They have a hierarchical structure and are known for their strict codes of conduct and initiation rituals. The Triads operate on a global scale, with significant operations in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
4. The Crips
The Crips are a notorious African American street gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1960s. The Crips are known for their distinctive blue clothing and hand signs, and they are involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking and violent crime. The Crips have been involved in numerous conflicts with rival gangs, particularly the Bloods, and their activities have spread to other parts of the United States and beyond.
5. The Bloods
The Bloods are a rival African American street gang to the Crips, originated in Los Angeles in the 1970s. The Bloods are known for their distinctive red clothing and hand signs. They are also involved in drug trafficking and violent crime and have a significant presence in communities around the United States.
6. The Russian Mafia
The Russian Mafia, also known as Bratva, is a significant criminal organization that originated in Russia during the 1990s. The Russian Mafia is involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. They have a reputation for being particularly violent and ruthless, and they have been linked to numerous high-profile assassination attempts in Russia.
7. The Hells Angels
The Hells Angels is a notorious motorcycle gang that operates around the world. The gang originated in California in the 1940s and is known for its distinctive black leather jackets and motorcycles. The Hells Angels are involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and extortion. They have a reputation for being a violent and dangerous gang, with numerous clashes with law enforcement and rival gangs over the years.
8. MS-13
MS-13 is a notorious Central American gang that originated in Los Angeles in the 1980s. The gang is involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violent crime. MS-13 is known for its brutal tactics, including machete attacks, and they have been responsible for numerous homicides in the United States and other countries.
9. The Black Hand
The Black Hand was a powerful Italian-American criminal organization that operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Black Hand was involved in various illegal activities, including extortion and murder. The organization was known for its distinctive methods of intimidation, including sending threatening letters to its victims and leaving black handprints on their property. The Black Hand was eventually suppressed by law enforcement, but it paved the way for the Mafia and other criminal organizations to rise to power in the years that followed.
10. The Zetas
The Zetas is a Mexican drug cartel that was formed in the late 1990s. The cartel was originally composed of former Mexican special forces soldiers, and they have a reputation for being one of the most violent and ruthless drug cartels in Mexico. The Zetas are involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. The cartel has been responsible for numerous high-profile acts of violence, including the massacre of 72 migrants in 2010.