Do you want to know which gangs are the most powerful gangs in the world? Gangs are spread all across the world, operating at local, national, regional and international scales. Their main activities are usually related to illegal trafficking, extortion, blackmailing and fraud, prostitution, and other illegal businesses.
Gangs have been around since well before the modern era, but over the past decades, they have increased drastically in scope, now being engaged in global operations, with new technology and sophisticated organizational structures. The United States has numerous gangs operating within its territory, and in some places gang activity is pretty intense. In The 5 Most Gang Infested Cities In America, we can see gangs operating violently, with police unable to control the,. Cities like Chicago, Detroit, New Orleans and Philadelphia have the highest gang activity in the US.
Yet some gangs, as we know, operate worldwide. And they are indeed very dangerous. Let’s take a look at the list we’ve compiled featuring the most powerful gangs in the world. Next time you are travelling to places like Mexico or Japan, you may need to consider this information and how it could affect you, as these gangs often have a hand in all areas of the county’s operations. Check out who they are, and where they’re operating, beginning with…
No. 10 Sinaloa Cartel
Located in Mexico, the Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most active drug cartels in the world. The Cartel’s leader, known as El Chapo, is considered one of the most powerful people in the world. The cartel usually uses extortion, kidnappings, human trafficking, prostitution, and smuggling, along with of course drug trafficking. Their most shocking act was to kill people on camera and post it on the internet.
If a gang that has a firm and bloody grip on its country is only tenth, you can imagine just how strong the nine remaining most powerful gangs in the world are. Check them out on the following pages.
No. 9 Mungiki
This mysterious gang operates in Kenya, and is also thought to operate like a cult. This gang has an uncertain number of members, but it is estimated to have more than 500,000. The Mungiki, which means multitude in the Bantu language, use violent extortion, kidnapping and murder to control public affairs and political affiliations in Kenya.
No. 8 Bloods & Crips
These gangs, operating in the U.S., are large and not at all friendly with each other. The Crips was founded in Los Angeles in 1969, and is thought to have above 30,000 members. The Bloods gang is its extreme rival. The amount of criminal activity they carry out makes them a significant threat in the country. Involved in murders, robberies and drug dealing, these gangs are among the most powerful in the world, precisely because of their numbers.
No. 7 14k Triad
China-based gang that conducts organized crime across china, and sells drugs across the world. They first established in 1949 after the Civil War, and have grown to have about 30,000 members. Their main activities are kidnapping, prostitution, human trafficking, extortion, gambling, and murder, among other various illegal activities such as trafficking weapons and drugs.
No. 6 SoIntsevskaya Bratva
This gang is considered the largest faction of the Russian Mafia. The gang was founded by Sergei “Mikhas” Mikhailov, and its influence has extended intensely across the world. Their activity combines legitimate businesses , with murder and violence. Moreover, the SoIntsevskaya brotherhood is involved in all sorts of criminal activities in Russia, such as prostitution, human trafficking, money laundering, kidnapping and extortion.
No. 5 Aryan Brotherhood
This gang located in the US is chiefly a prison gang, with a focus on killing people in jails. Their members are strongly racist, and many of them have Nazi Swastikas tattooed along with other symbols. The gang is considered the most violent extremist group in the United States.
No. 4 United Bamboo
The United Bamboo gang operates in Taiwan, and is known for its illegal black-market activity. They are also known as Zhu Lien Bang, and have strong relationships with other gangs across Asia, and especially throughout the Pacific Rim. The gang is thought to have more than 10,000 members along with various associates. Although they started as an assassination organization, they are now involved in trafficking everything from humans, guns, drugs and organs, as well as dealing in prostitution and illegal gambling.
No. 3 Mara Salvatrucha
Based in El Salvador, Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, virtually controls the government. The gang is considered one of the most dangerous in America, and was founded in the early 80’s in Los Angeles, by El Salvadorian immigrants. Today the gang is estimated to have more than 70,000 members, and has strong partnerships with other gangs in Central America, such as Los Zetas. Their activities are mainly trafficking, prostitution, extortion and murder. Known for their full-body tattoos, the Mara Salvatrucha gang is one of the most dangerous gangs in the world.
No. 2 Yamaguchi-gumi
The Japanese gang Yamaguchi-gumi is the largest of the Yakuza gangs in the country. These gangs are highly organized, with corporate organization and internal hierarchy. The Yamaguchi-gumi gang has about 39,000 gang members, which accounts for almost 50% of all of Japan’s gangsters. The organization has a website for recruiting people, and a magazine. They carry out different illegal and violent activities, such as political corruption, fraud, and assassinations. An interesting fact is that they also do humanitarian work and seek to avoid civilian casualties.
No. 1 Los Zetas
This gang, considered the most dangerous in the world, operates in Mexico. They have become the most violent organization, and were originally formed by a small group of Mexico’s Elite Special Force, who left the army and started drug trafficking in the 1990’s. They are military-trained, and have taken the drug war in Mexico to a whole new level. The United States government has stated that Los Zetas are the most technologically advanced cartel in Mexico. Currently, Los Zetas are thought to be controlling more than ten states in Mexico.
