La Cosa Nostra (Italian Mafia)
A highly organized criminal syndicate originating in Italy, particularly Sicily, involved in activities such as extortion, drug trafficking, and racketeering. The organization has deep ties to American cities, particularly through its historic Five Families in New York City. La Cosa Nostra operates with a strict hierarchy and code of silence known as omertà . My father was a top member of the Gambino family. He taught me their way of life. Rule number one: Never rat out! Those who are weak, get out! This is real life, not a movie. You need to understand this.
You know what you're getting into before you do it. Don't give another a life sentence for your mistakes. Shut your mouth, admit to nothing, and do your time like a real stand-up guy. We are gangsters, not gangbangers. This is our way of life. It's us against them.
It comes down to who is smarter. We have something they don't. We live the life they can't. If it wasn't for rats, they would never catch us. So, if someone out there wants to be a gangster, think about what I'm saying. It's all about money and respect. You have to be an earner.
Japanese Yakuza
Japan's Yakuza are large organized crime groups engaged in activities such as gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking. The Yakuza maintain a visible presence in Japanese society, often running legitimate businesses alongside illegal ones. Their operations are highly structured, often emphasizing loyalty and ritual. They are vicious, strict, and fast. If any other mafia would enter Japan, the Yakuza would simply kick their asses.
Russian Mafia
This crime network, originating in the Soviet Union, engages in a wide range of illicit activities, including arms smuggling, money laundering, and cybercrime. Russian Mafia groups are known for their global reach and influence in both legitimate and underground economies. Their structure often relies on complex, decentralized networks. Considering the vast membership of the Russian Mafia, they must be top dogs with all those troops.
Organized and extremely violent. Considered as the most powerful mafia in the world.
They are now the top dogs of crime because of their military skills.
Albanian Mafia
These groups are known for their involvement in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and organized violence across Europe and beyond. Albanian Mafia syndicates are highly secretive, often operating in familial or tribal structures. Their reputation for brutality has facilitated their expansion into global criminal markets. One of the most ruthless mafias. They have taken over the organized crime underground of Milan.
Hellbanianz. Albanians are like people from a different planet. Don't mess with them!
Mexican Mafia
A U.S.-based prison gang primarily composed of Hispanic members, heavily involved in drug trafficking and extortion within and outside prisons. Despite its name, it is not directly affiliated with Mexico's cartels but often collaborates with them. The group enforces strict codes of loyalty and violently punishes defection or betrayal. El Mayo is the biggest gangster in history. The Mexican cartels run the criminal underworld. Everyone works for them. They are number one. The Italians, Yakuza, whites, blacks, etc., all work for the cartels.
No one is bigger. If you think differently, just do some research on Mexican cartels today. You'll understand.
They sell a lot of drugs and make a lot of money. Very strong worldwide.
Sun Yee On (Chinese Triad)
This Hong Kong-based triad is involved in drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and human smuggling on a global scale. Sun Yee On is one of the largest and most influential triads, with operations extending into mainland China and international markets. Their activities often combine illegal enterprises with legitimate business ventures. Hopefully, with all the new anti-corruption campaigns, they will get screwed soon.
The Triads are the founding fathers of all organized crime.
Clan del Golfo (Colombian Drug Cartel)
This cartel, one of Colombia's most powerful criminal organizations, specializes in drug trafficking and violent control of smuggling routes. Clan del Golfo often clashes with the Colombian government and rival groups. It has expanded operations to include extortion and illegal mining. The leader of the Medellin Cartel, Pablo Escobar, was alone responsible for over a thousand deaths of law enforcement officers and civilians. The Medellin Cartel bought off almost all law enforcement officers and also had countless officials in the Colombian government on their payroll.
They dominated the world's cocaine trade for years with no worthy contenders from outside nations. The Medellin Cartel alone generated close to $10 billion. When Escobar was killed and the cartel was diminished by Colombian law enforcement and the DEA, their rivals, the Cali Cartel, immediately took their place at the top of the cocaine trade and thrived.
Serbian Mafia
A prominent criminal organization involved in drug smuggling, arms dealing, and human trafficking, with a presence in Europe and beyond. Serbian Mafia networks often operate through connections with other organized crime groups and corrupt officials. Their activities are marked by violence and high-level corruption. Many Serbian Mafia members are ex-military. They're dangerous and ruthless. Think of a smaller, more organized Russian Mafia.
Israeli Mafia
An organized crime group based in Israel, engaged in drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering. Members often have connections to international crime syndicates, including in Europe and the United States. The group operates through both familial ties and broader criminal alliances.
The Five Families (New York City)
The Five Families are historically the primary Italian-American Mafia groups operating in New York City under La Cosa Nostra. They are involved in extortion, loan sharking, and labor racketeering, among other crimes. Each family operates independently but adheres to the broader rules of the Mafia. Also, the Italian Mafia. The New York Mafia was the most powerful organized crime syndicate in the world since 1931. They dominated crime in the US. Just the five families in NY were the strongest crime figures in the United States. NYC was Mafia territory, and all other gangs knew that.
They owned illegal businesses all over the city. There were no such things as gangs when they were around. Gangs started gaining power after the fall of the Mafia in the city. They ran NYC. They had more power than the president, and even the president said that about them. They bribed cops, and they did whatever they wanted.
Never paid for drinks and had a lot of territories in NY. They were just unstoppable, but today, they're not as well known.
The Newcomers
? Outlaws Motorcycle Club
? Armenian Power
A Los Angeles-based Armenian-American gang involved in credit card fraud, extortion, and drug trafficking. Armenian Power maintains connections with transnational organized crime groups, including those in Eastern Europe. The group is known for its sophisticated financial crimes and violent enforcement tactics.
The Contenders
'Ndrangheta (Calabrian Mafia)
The 'Ndrangheta, based in Calabria, Italy, is one of the world's wealthiest and most powerful crime syndicates due to its control of cocaine trafficking in Europe. The organization is built on familial ties and operates with a rigid structure to ensure secrecy. Its influence extends to legitimate industries and international operations. Controls 70-80% of cocaine in Europe, grew bigger than any other Italian mafia, has close links to Colombian and Mexican cartels, and operates in Northern America, Mainland Europe, and Australia.
Who controls more than 3% of Italian GDP, has 10,000 members, and over $60 billion in yearly revenue, and is a global player in crime and drugs? Not La Cosa Nostra.
Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
MS-13 is a transnational gang originating in Los Angeles, with a significant presence in Central America and the United States. It is known for its extreme violence and involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling. The group operates in a decentralized manner with local cliques maintaining autonomy.
Aryan Brotherhood
The Aryan Brotherhood is a white supremacist prison gang in the United States, known for violent activities including murder, drug trafficking, and extortion. Despite its origins in prisons, the group has an extensive network operating outside correctional facilities. It is structured hierarchically, emphasizing racial ideology and loyalty.
Los Zetas
Originating as a paramilitary enforcement wing for the Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas became one of Mexico's most violent and powerful drug cartels. They are involved in drug smuggling, human trafficking, and brutal acts of violence to maintain control over territories. The group is known for its military-style organization and tactics. They are sadistic killers who perform the most inhumane torture possible for the sake of pleasure. If you're not convinced, just visit "blogdelnarco.com." Warning: disturbing content.
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels is an international outlaw motorcycle club associated with drug trafficking, racketeering, and violent crime. Members are often recognizable by their insignia and strict codes of conduct within the group. While some chapters claim legitimacy, others engage in organized criminal activities worldwide.
18th Street Gang
This transnational gang, originating in Los Angeles, is heavily involved in drug distribution, extortion, and violent crime. The 18th Street Gang has a sprawling membership and operates through loosely connected cliques in multiple countries. It is one of the largest and most dangerous gangs in the Americas.
Comando Vermelho
A Brazilian organized crime group based in Rio de Janeiro, Comando Vermelho is deeply involved in drug trafficking and armed conflicts with law enforcement and rival gangs. It emerged as a prison-based organization and has since expanded to dominate many of Rio's favelas. The group is known for its use of extreme violence to maintain power.
Latin Kings
The Latin Kings is a predominantly Latino gang originating in Chicago, with a strong focus on identity and hierarchy. The gang is involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and violent crimes. It operates under a strict structure and often portrays itself as a community organization.
Georgian Mafia
This organized crime group, originating from Georgia, engages in activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and burglary. The Georgian Mafia has extensive international operations, particularly in Europe and the post-Soviet states. Its members often rely on traditional clan ties and corruption to maintain influence.
Croatian Mafia
The Croatian Mafia operates primarily in the Balkans, engaging in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and corruption. It often collaborates with other organized crime groups in the region. Its operations are typically concealed within legitimate business activities.
Tigoaina (Romanian Gypsy Mafia)
The Tigoaina is a loosely organized criminal network associated with theft, fraud, and human trafficking. They are known for operating across Europe, leveraging traditional familial and community ties to maintain their operations. The group often focuses on high-volume petty crimes and exploitation schemes.
Macedonian Mafia
A criminal network originating in Macedonia, known for involvement in smuggling, drug trafficking, and corruption. The group often works with other Balkan crime syndicates to expand its influence. It typically uses family and regional ties to maintain loyalty and secrecy.
Hopelini Mafia