The Most Notorious Gangs In The World

1. Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) - South America

Image source/ nationalcrimesyndicateThe Mara Salvatrucha is also known as MS-13, and they are one of the most dangerous gangs in the world and are notorious for being extremely brutal and violent. They started out as a gang aiming to protect immigrants from El Salvador - but the gang then turned its head to crime. They developed a huge base in South America when many of the gang were deported to El Salvador and boys are taken off the streets are made to join the gang. The initiation or 'beat in' as it is called, requires new members to be savagely beaten for 13 seconds. They have string links in politics which helps them undergo their crimes with no repercussion.

2. Sinaloa Cartel - Mexico

Image source/ The San Diego Union TribeYou may have heard of the Sinoloa Cartel - known across the globe as one of the biggest drug trafficking gangs (and one of the most ruthless) in the entire world. The gang is in charge of the majority of Mexico and the USA's drug trade, and they will commit any violent crime to keep it that way. The boss, Joaquin Guzman Loera (El Chapo) was imprisoned 3 times and escaped three times.

3. The Bloods - California

Image source/ powerupThe Bloods are one of the most notorious African Amercian street gangs. They initially formed to protect people from the Crips, but once they had formed their huge gang, they started criminal activity themselves. They will kill absolutely anyone in the blink of an eye, and they are heavily involved with the drug trade. Murder, prostitution, sex trafficking... this gang has no limits.

4. Solntsevskaya Bratva - Russia

Image source/ vocalnews

Solntsevskaya Bratva is the largest Russian gang who have increased in power throughout the years and now make $8. 5 billion a year. They have strong links with the government and the authorities leaving them protected to traffic drugs, humans, murder... and remain protected.

5. Latin Kings - Chicago

Image source/ blogspotThe Latin Kings are largest Latino and Hispanic street gang in the world. There main illegal activities involve drugs, murder, and extortion. There is NOTHING that this gang won't do. Their power continues to grow as their ruthlessness means they have made many other gangs extinct.

6. Sun Yee On - Hong Kong

Image source/ quoraSun Yee On is one of the largest and most powerful Triads in the worlds. Their main way of making money is through trafficking human and drugs. They also commonly use firebombs and take part in drive by shooting as well as their notorious fighting with meat cleavers.

7. La Cosa Nostra - Sicily

Image source/ fandomLa Cosa Nostra is the main Sicilian Mafia gang, one of the most dangerous and notorious gangs in the world. Not only did they dominate Sicily and Italy, but they also set up in US cities such as Chicago and New York and now have links everywhere. They have been a ruling gang for 200 years. One well documented moment of bloodshed was Al Capone's Valentine's Day Massacre.

8. Crips - California

Image source/ the-sunThe Crips are the rivals of The Bloods. They commit the worst of the worst crimes. The Crips are largely made up of African Americans namely around their 20s in Los Angeles. They now have around 800 members spanning the USA. Membership has to be earned to be a part of The Crips - one of the world's most dangerous gangs.

9. Los Zetas - Mexico

Image source/ fandomLos Zetas are a Mexican crime organisation who kill without hesitation. They compete against the Cosa Nostra for the drug trade. Their everyday crimes include, kidnapping, gun running, and sex trafficking. They are totally ruthless, and they a LOT of kill innocent people.

10. Tambovskaya-Malyshevkaya - Russia

Image source/ PinterestTambovskaya-Malyshevkaya is one of the largest mafias in Russia. The gang takes part in all kinds of crimes including drug trafficking, sex trafficking, extortion, murder, kidnap...the list is endless. Like many of these gangs, their brutality and violence leaves a trail of bloodshed.

11. 18th Street Gang - Central America

Image source/ Australian Broadcast18th Street Gang have the HIGHEST kill rate in America if not the world. Someone is killed or kidnapped in LA every day by the 18th Street Gang. The gang is open to anyone with Latino or Hispanic background. Now, many high up members are in prison where they continue to run their illegal crimes.

12. Aryan Brotherhood - USA

Image source/ San Antonio Express NewsThe Aryan Brotherhood is a gang of white supremacists who each have a Nazi tattoo. The gang are racist, and project hate speech. They may not as economically powerful but they just as dangerous and brutal and are actually responsible for the most deaths by gangs and control most of the prisons in the USA.

13. Yamaguchi-Gumi - Japan

Image source/ smartweek

Yamaguchi-Gumi is one of the Yakuza. They are extremely wealthy and are involved all kinds of trafficking - sex and drugs for example. They also have pursuits such as investments the stock market. Their links with Japanese politics and politicians keeps them safe.

14. The 14k Triad - Hong Kong

Image source/ blogspotThe 14K Triad are the second biggest Triad in the world, and one of the most notorious gangs in the world. The gang originated from Hong Kong. They now have 20,000 members and are stationed all over the globe. They take part on frequent assassinations, human trafficking, drug trafficking and extortion to name a few.

15. Primeiro Comando Da Capital - Brazil

Image source/ UOLPrimeiro Comando Da Capital are a notorious gang in Brazil. The gang initially started out as a soccer team in prison and has quickly become one of the most notorious gangs ever. There are daily attacks by this gang. There are now around 10 thousand members, who all pay membership fees.

16. La Eme - Mexico

Image source/ blogspotLa Eme in the USA is known as the Mexican Mafia and the ruling Mexican Mafia and one of the most powerful gangs ever. There are only around 500 official gang members as to become a member is very hard. But thousands of thousands (around 150,000) of people are associates of the gang, from all around the world.

17. The Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate - United Kingdom

Image source/ steemitThe Clerkenwell Crime Syndicate are also referred to as the Adams family. It is the biggest gang int he UK. It is made up of a lot of high up or wealthy people. The huge wealth of this highly secretive organisation makes it one of the most powerful gangs today. It is hugely secretive but the gang trade in drugs, humans, murder to name but a few of their brutal crimes.

18. Camorra - Italy

Image source/ watchThe Camorra in Italy is one of the world's most notorious Mafia gangs and one of the most ruthlessly violent and brutal. It is also one of the oldest, having been around since 1417. Their crimes have no limits and there are no bounds to the brutality of the gang.

19. Public Enemy Number 1 - California

Image source/ YouTubePublic Enemy Number 1 is named as such for a reason. The gang is rooted in California and drug dealing is the way the gang manages to make money. They are a white supremacist group who make attacks on people and groups of people fuelled by racism and hate speech.

20. Ndrangheta - Southern Italy

Image source/ thelocalNdrangheta is a notorious triad known for ruthless violence which has recently been in the media due to a trial for mass members of the triad who have been charges with an array of terrible crimes. kidnapping is a common crime in Ndrangheta  and they also have an international drug business.

21. Wah Ching - Southern California

Image source/ worldstopmostWah Ching is an extremely notorious gang. Their main crimes started out as racketeering and the sales of narcotics. To expand and maintain their power, this gang like many on the list have fought through brutal and ruthless violence. The gang members have to prove extreme loyalty to be able to be an official member.

22. United Bamboo - Taiwan

Image source/ reviewlatestUnited Bamboo are a street gang which cause complete terror on the streets. Their violence is uncontrollable, and they have 10,000 members. They are notoriously known for their brutal ways. And, for killing and fighting with bamboo knives which is where their name first emerged.

23.

The Florencia 13 - Los Angeles

Image source/ YouTubeThe Florencia 13 established in South L.A. The gang is tied to the Mexican Mafia. Their organised crime involves the drug industry, brutal murders and they even have links with the U.S military. They are the main rivals of 18th Florida Street Gang. In 2010 6 members were sentenced to life in prison.

24.

The Los Aztecas - Mexico

Image source/ San Antonia Express NewsThe Los Aztecas are structured like a military organisation. They are extremely notorious and have string links with the Mexican cartel. In 2011 the gang were responsible for murder of a US consulate along with his family and children. And around a similar time, they killed 2 more consulate workers including a pregnant woman.

25.

Somali Gangs - USA

Image source/ nygunforumSomali gags have also become bigger and more of a threat in the U.S. The Somali gangs are largely made up of Somalian. immigrants to the U.S. Thier main crimes prostitution and human trafficking and crimes such as credit card fraud as well as brutal force and violence.

26. Jalisco New Generation - Mexico

Image source/ San Antonia Express NewsJalisco New Generation is a gang that first formed in 2010. Despite it not being around the longest, it has already established itself as one of the most notorious and dangerous today. It is now the biggest rival to Sinaloa, and it is worth 20 billion dollars. The leader- El Mecho - is named Ruben Oseguera. He is ex-policeman. The gang have killed multiple state officials and even hang their bodies off bridges to send a message and warning.

27. The Gulf Cartel - Mexico

Image source/ The New York TimesThe Gulf Carter of course are one of Mexico's original gangs, and most notorious gangs ever. Their billion-pound worth drug trafficking trade expanded bigger and nigger starting to the U.S and then worldwide. The Gulf Cartel works with cartels in Colombia. Since the leader died the gang has now split into factions which has slightly decreased their power.

28.

The Simon City Royals - Chicago

Image source/ infotracerThe Simon City Royals are another gang, again one of the most notorious in the world. The gang first started out in Chicago in the 1950s. It quickly grew in both power and popularity and as their criminal careers grew through illegal and violent activity so did their wealth.

29. Black Dragons - Los Angeles

Image source/ joedaltonThe Black Dragons gang began back in 1980 and was largely made up of Chinese Immigrants in Los Angeles. They are now considered a top threat by the U.S government due to their heinous and uncontrolled crime and ever since their beginnings they have been involved in terrible violence.

30. Chung Ching Yee - San Francisco

Image source/unitedgangsThe Chung Ching Yee gang formed in 1960 in San Francisco's Chinatown. It was formerly known as The Joe Boys, named after its leader. The gang initially started as protection racketeers, but this soon led to the gang being involved in heinous crimes and globalising their illegal trade.

31. The Baddoo Gang

Image Source / List25This gang is quite a new one compared to some on this list, but it's growing fast through Lagos. It's a violent gang that also performs its own rituals for its nightmare-inducing attacks. With this gang, you can expect bricks to be weapons of choice to smash in skulls.

32. Jamaican Posse

Image Source / List25The Jamaican Posse has a lot of key connections in this island, and that includes key contacts within the government. They're known for using high-powered assault rifles as their chosen weapons, and people who fear this gang fear their methods of killing, which have been known to be ritualistic in nature including laundry irons and butchers knives...

33. La Nuestra Familia

Image Source / List25This particular gang is a prison gang, which was created in order to protect the younger Mexican-American inmates. The La Nuestra Familia has origins in California, and is known for trafficking drugs inside and outside of the prison bars.

34. Black Guerrilla Family

Image Source / List25The Black Guerilla Family was founded with incentives based in the political world. It began as a prison gang in 1966, with the intention to overthrow the US government. This gang is happy to work closely with other gangs, too, including the La Nuestra Familia. Members of the Black Guerrilla Family need to take a death oath when joining.

35. Area Boys (Agberos)

Image Source / List25This gang originates from the slums of Lagos in Nigeria and is largely made up of young people. It's been best known for drug violence, as well as extortion. This gang, though not as violent as some other gangs, is still feared - mostly because of unprovoked attacks on innocent people.

36. Almighty Black P. Stone Nation

Image Source / List25This street gang based in Chicago began to join together gangs in the South Shore neighborhood of the city. It also includes a radical Islamic faction. It's known for crimes such as drugs, murder and terrorist attacks. This gang also has feuds with other gangs, such as the Almighty Vice Lord Nation.

37. Yakuza

Image Source / List25In order to be a member of the Japanese Yakuza, members must pledge complete loyalty to their gang leader - and that means sacrificing any family ties or loved ones. Their rituals follow that similar to the samurai, and this gang has been linked to illegal activities like blackmail, trafficking and prostitution.

38. Hell’s Angels

Image Source / List25This biker gang is probably one of the most famous gangs, as it's a name many people have heard. The difference between this biker gang and a lot of criminal gangs out there, like Mafia groups, is that the Hell's Angels believe that violence and breaking the law are just parts of life, and they're not looking to make a profit, just to use that money to further their lifestyle.

39. Irish Republican Army (IRA)

Image Source / List25The Irish Republican Army isn't what many people might think of when you mention 'gang', but this group definitely operates in a similar way to many gangs on this list - with violence. The IRA is a paramilitary group which has been responsible for murder as well as terrorist attacks.

40. Texas Syndicate

Image Source / List25The Texas Syndicate might be a small gang, but it's not one to mess with. This one began as a prison gang, and has a strong code to follow - which it does so with extreme violence. This gang wouldn't hesitate to murder others.

41. Mongols

Image Source / List25The Mongols are another dangerous motorcycle gang, formed in California back in 1969, staring out with mostly military veterans. The gang grew to build a worldwide reputation of violence, and has been known to butt heads with the Hell's Angels.

42. Triads

Image Source / List25This Chinese crime syndicate has a huge reach, and actually includes around 2.5 million gang members within its group. These members operate all over the world, with murder and trafficking being some of their crimes. The triads are known for being very organised, with a large membership and particularly gruesome rituals.

43. The Mickey Cobras

Image Source / YouTubeThe Mickey Cobras are a street gang based in Chicago, and have allies in the nationwide gang 'People'. The gang has its own colours, which are green, black and red. It focuses on crimes relating to narcotics, and makes a profit from selling drugs like cocaine and meth.

44. Almighty Vice Lords Nation

Image Source / Iconic ImagesOften shortened to Vice Lords or AVLN, this gang is the second-largest in Chicago, Illinois, and also one of the oldest street and prison gangs. Membership of this particular gang is estimated around 30,000 to 35,000.

45. Gangster Disciples

Image Source / Action News 5This gang is an African American street and prison gang which started on the South Side of Chicago. In the 1960s, the leader of the Supreme Gangsters Larry Hoover and the leader of the Black Disciples David Barksdale formed the two united groups.

46. Black Disciples

Image Source / united gangsThe Black Disciples are also known as their abbreviated name, the BDN, and it's a huge street gang in Illinois in the US. The gang was thrust more into the spotlight after one of their own was murdered, with the crime ending up being covered by the news.

47. Black Mafia

Image Source / Temple Digital CollectionThis group, also known as the Muslim Mob, was based in Philadelphia as an organised crime syndicate. What started as dealing in small criminal activities, like drugs, grew into huge criminal activity like armed robbery, loansharking, illegal gambling and burglary.

48. Chambers Brothers

Image Source / Omeka Beta ServiceThe Chambers Brothers gang was originally formed with three brothers, and dealt with the distribution of crack cocaine. They operated in Detroit, Michigan, most known for their illegal activities in the 1980s. They gained a national reputation when the Detroit Police confiscated videos of them counting huge amounts of money.

49. Snakeheads

Image Source / The New York TimesSnakeheads is the name given to Chinese gangs which operate in one specific crime: smuggling people in and out of countries. The Snakeheads can be found in Fuijian, China, and can be known to smuggle paying customers into wealthier parts of the world.

50. Diablos

Image Source / Francis Dean/ShutterstockThe Diablos Motorcycle Club is one that operates throughout the United States as an outlaw club. Two members of the Diablos, including its president of the San Fernando Valley part, were convicted after possessing meth, intending to sell.