• About
  • Contact

O, Pish Posh!

From the absurdly bizarre to the awesomely inspiring

  • Follow Opishposh.com on Twitter!Follow Opishposh.com on Twitter!
  • Home
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Health
  • Inspirational
  • People
  • Science & Nature
  • Technology
  • Weird
  • World
    • Latest Stories

      What is new?

    • Top 10 Chick Flicks

      July 3, 2014

    • Top 10 Fastest Roller Coasters in the World

      June 30, 2014

18

World

10 Most Dangerous Gangs In The World

  • by Staff Writers

Gangs have always been a source of public fascination. As much as we fear them, we follow the stories and careers of the world’s most violent gangs & gangsters with a morbid curiosity.

Modern gangs have evolved into sophisticated, powerful organizations. The top criminal organizations of the 21st century hold tremendous influence – controlling politicians, legitimate businesses, and billions of dollars. Some gangs are business focused groups who look to minimize killing, while others are brutal, hyper-violent organizations that murder and torture on a whim.

Here is a fascinating look at 10 of the most dangerous gangs in the world:
1. Los Zetas

los zetas logo

Los Zetas Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Over the last half a decade, Mexico has been ravaged by powerful, highly violent drug cartels. Since President Felipe Calderon’s crackdown on the cartels in late 2006, over 50,000 people have been reported murdered in Mexico.

The war between the hyper-violent Los Zetas and the Sinaloa cartel is largely to blame for a good chunk of the violence, as these 2 powerful cartels fight for control of the multi-billion dollar drug trade, murdering anyone who gets in their way.

If the Sinaloa are the more established, traditional powerhouse of the Mexican underworld, the Los Zetas are the new, exceedingly vicious breed. The Los Zetas are known for administering violent, extremely gruesome endings to anyone who gets in their way – rival gang members, politicians, police officers, journalists, and innocents.

The Los Zetas are extremely well trained and armed to the teeth. According to the U.S. government, they are the “most technologically advanced, sophisticated, and dangerous cartel operating in Mexico.” The organization was founded in 1999, when a group of Mexico’s elite special forces decided to get in on the lucrative drug trade by becoming enforcers for the Gulf Cartel, another powerful cartel.

They soon broke away to form their own organization, which has overtaken the Gulf Cartel and even the Sinaloa cartel as the most powerful, ruthless, and profitable drug gang in Mexico, and probably the world.

When one of their top leaders – Heriberto Lazcano aka El Lazca – was killed by Mexican Marines in October 2012, the gang snatched back his body from the authorities in a show of considerable power, embarrassing Mexican officials, who were left struggling to explain how such major blow to the organization could be so quickly turned into a display of power, strength and influence.

2. Sinaloa Cartel

Leader of the Sinaloa Cartel - "El Chapo" Guzman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leader of the Sinaloa Cartel – “El Chapo” Guzman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The powerful Sinaloa Cartel is headed by the charismatic “El Chapo” Guzman, widely considered to be the most powerful drug trafficker in the world.

He has even been named one of the world’s most powerful people every year since 2009 by Forbes magazine, ranking 41st in 2009, 60th in 2010, and 55th in 2011. The DEA has called him the “godfather of the drug world.”

The Sinaloa Cartel has been widely rumored to be working with the Mexican federal police and military to control the Juarez Valley and crush other cartels in the area. Some authorities consider the Sinaloa Cartel to be the most powerful drug trafficking organization in the world, although other authorities believe the Los Zetas have since taken that title. Even if they’re not #1, the Sinaloa Cartel is still a top player when it comes to doing what it does best – trafficking drugs and dishing out murder.

3. Solntsevskaya Bratva

hammer and sickle

Hammer & Sickle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Solntsevskaya Bratva – a.k.a. the Solntsevskaya Gang or the Solntsevskaya Brotherhood – is a powerful organized crime association based out of Moscow. In fact, they’re considered the largest faction of the infamous Russian Mafia.

A violent as the Solntsevskaya Bratva can be, their founder and leader – Sergei “Mikhas” Mikhailov, considers himself a “businessman”. It’s estimated that the group controls hundreds of legitimate business groups in Russia and around the globe. That is of course, in addition to the usual mafia money makers including prostitution, credit card fraud, human trafficking, extortion, arms dealing, illegal gambling, stock fraud, and money laundering.

The Solntsevskaya Bratva’s influence expands well beyond Russian borders. In a 2003 report, the Solntsevskaya Bratva were found to have a significant presence in New York, Detroit, San Francisco, Miami, Grand Rapids, and Chicago.

4. Yamaguchi-Gumi

yakuza

Yakuza Tattoos (Photo credit: Jean-Francois Chenier)

The Yamaguchi Gumi have a long history as a criminal organization, dating back all the way to 1915. It’s now the largest, most powerful Yakuza group in Japan. The organization is estimated to have over 55,000 members, and has influence in virtually every level of Japanese society. The Yamaguchi Gumi is so feared in Japan, that cops often won’t arrest then and the press rarely writes about them.

Their members are covered in tattoos, and can often be seen missing parts of their pinkies and ring fingers – when a Yamaguchi Gumi member messes up, he offers penance by cutting off parts of his own fingers.

Their extreme level of influence makes them arguably the world’s wealthiest criminal organization. They have their hands in virtually every criminal money making activity and control many industries, from extortion rackets, to gambling, to the sex trade, gun running, drugs, construction kickback schemes, stock market manipulation, political corruption, and porn.

5. D-Company

Dawood Ibrahim

Dawood Ibrahim (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

D-company operates in India and the Persian Gulf region under the leadership of the notorious Dawood Ibrahim.  Unlike most organized crime syndicates, D-company is exceptional in that it also undertakes terrorist activities, usually carrying out terrorist attacks for monetary compensation. In fact, Ibrahim has been labelled a global terrorist by the U.S. Treasury Department due to his links with the late Osama bin Laden.

Under Ibrahim’s leadership, D-Company has been linked to several terrorist attacks, including the infamous November 2008 Mumbai attacks – India’s equivalent to 9/11. D-Company is said to generate billions of dollars from its illegal activities all over the globe. While Dawood Ibrahim has become somewhat of a celebrity in India, rumor has it that he has had plastic surgery to modify his appearance.

6. Camorra

Former Camorra boss Luigi Vollaro (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Former Camorra boss Luigi Vollaro (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Camorra is a powerful faction of the Italian mafia. Its more of a loose confederation of independent groups, rather than a centralized organization, but that only makes the organization all the more dangerous and robust. There are said to be an estimated 111 loosely affiliated Camorra clans, consisting of over 6,700 gang members.

According to investigative journalist Roberto Saviano, a leading expert on the Italian mafia and the Camorra in particular, the camorra are the most powerful faction of the Italian mafia in terms of economic power, influence, numbers, and ruthless violence. While they’re heavily involved in criminal enterprise, they also have significant interests in legitimate businesses. They’re said to control the fish, milk, and coffee trade in Italy. They even own over 2,500 bakeries.

One of the Camorra’s preferred method of gaining power and influence is through political patronage. The mafia groups bribe and support local politicians and public officials and leverage this influence to gain advantages in their money making ventures – both criminal and legitimate.

7. MS-13

ms-13

MS-13 gang member arrested (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MS-13, or Maras, is a violent hispanic gang that originated in the streets of Los Angeles, but now has influence in Central America, the US, Canada, and Mexico.  Newsweek magazine once called MS-13 the most dangerous gang in North America.

MS-13 members often cover their bodies and even faces in tattoos. They’re known for their eagerness to use violence and their belief in cruel, merciless revenge. Their thirst for violence and vengeance is the reason the Sinaloa Cartel recruited them as part of its battle against the Los Zetas.

One of the most infamous examples of MS-13′s eagerness to use violence was a 2004 incident in Chamelecon, Honduras, where members sprayed a bus with gunfire and killed 28 innocent civilians – mostly women and children. The reason? As a protest against the Honduran government, which was considering bringing back the death penalty.

The gang is estimated to have 30,000 to 50,000 members worldwide, with 8,000 to 10,000 of them operating within the United States.

8. Tai Huen Chai a.k.a. The Big Circle Gang

red guard

Mao Ze Dong’s Red Guard (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

While Chinese organized crime groups known as triads have always been a problem in China, their influence has grown alongside China’s meteoric economic growth. Perhaps the most powerful of these triads is the Dai Huen Jai, also known as The Big Circle Gang.

The gang was founded by corrupt members of Mao Ze Dong’s infamous Red Guards. After China’s cultural revolution, these founders fled to Hong Kong, where they made their fortune in human trafficking, prostitution, extortion, and the heroin trade.
9. United Bamboo

united bamboo

Taiwan – United Bamboo Territory (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

United Bamboo is believed to be the most powerful triad in Taiwan, with an estimated 10,000 members.

United Bamboo operates with an “old school” organized crime code of ethics that stresses unity, though its members frequently engage in violence.

They’re believed to control the drug trafficking in Taiwan and have significant political influence, as well as operations that stretch through Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Like many other triad crime syndicates, United Bamboo doesn’t have a single boss, but rather uses a horizontal hierarchical structure that insulates the organization should a member get killed or arrested.

10. Hell’s Angels

hells angels

Hells Angels member (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Hell’s Angels are probably the most famous organized crime syndicate in North America. This motorcycle club is incorporated in the United States and in Canada as the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation. While they’re primarily based in North America, they have 230 chapters worldwide in 27 countries.

The Hell’s Angels are probably most well known for riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and wearing jackets and patches with their infamous “winged death heads” logo. In fact, their logo is so famous that the Hells Angels actually filed a lawsuit against designer Alexander McQueen for misusing their trademarked logo in a ring and box dress from his 2010 Autumn/Winter collection. The Hell’s Angels lawyer ominously stated that “If you’ve got one of these rings on, a member might get really upset that you’re an imposter.”

The Hell’s Angels insist that they’re simply a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, but according to various intelligence agencies, the Hells Angels are classified internationally as one of the world’s “big 4″ motorcycle gangs. Their members allegedly engage in organized crime activities ranging from drug dealing and trafficking, extortion, robbery, and prostitution.

    Related Posts

  • mogadishuThe 10 Most Dangerous Cities In 2013
  • Juancho E. Yrausquin AirportThe Most Dangerous Airports In The World
  • Zoji Pass in India10 Most Dangerous Roads In The World
  • viper10 Most Dangerous Snakes In The World

Leave a comment

Click here to cancel reply.

18 Comments

  1. toddD says:
    January 2, 2013 at 12:13 am

    Ms-13 should be higher on this list man. And united bamboo? Pretty sure that’s a fashion label.

    Reply
    • AmitS says:
      January 11, 2013 at 11:57 am

      MS-13 is notoriously violent, but they’re more hired muscle than top level players. They’re growing though…

      Reply
  2. shhh says:
    February 6, 2013 at 2:21 am

    What about Wallstreet ?

    Reply
  3. Alex says:
    April 7, 2013 at 12:19 am

    Interesting list but surprised to not see Aryan Brotherhood on here. I always figured that the Aryan Brotherhood was worse than the Hell’s Angels but I’m not an expert on either.

    Reply
    • jacob says:
      June 30, 2013 at 7:41 am

      aryan brotherhood is mostly a prison gang I’m watching a show about them right now actually haha

      Reply
  4. greatThinker says:
    April 8, 2013 at 2:56 am

    What about Muttahida Qoumi Movement in Pakistan? They are literally running the government there.

    Reply
  5. Ti says:
    April 12, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    If the Mexican gangs are more powerful is because they are billionaire mafias, money talks!!! and they are more powerful because they have the world’s money under their feet they control ms-13 and other poor centroamerican gangs, that’s what they are “poor gangs” lack of money,,, lol and they can destroy them, they control them, they can do whatever they want with them like
    roaches, so ms-13 it’s not a life threaten organization, if Mexican cartels want to rule centroamerica they are already dead, poor losers………..

    Reply
  6. ... says:
    May 10, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    6 out of 10 of these gangs do not deserve to be on the list at all. I agree with Los Zetas and the Sinaloa cartel being where they are but seriously MS-13 should easily be number 3. They have turned the Honduras, El Salvador into a living hell and are making the Central American drug problem along with Mexico’s (still part of Central America but should be mentioned) even worse. I mean they made San Pedro Sula the murder capital of the world by themselves. Some gangs that should be mentioned

    The Crips and the Bloods: These gangs turned Los Angeles into a warzone that killed about 1,000 people every year for three decades. Things are just now calming down. They made South Central LA look like a third world country with 11 year olds brandishing weapons, having gun battles on the street, and killing innocent civilians for speaking against them.

    The Aryan Brotherhood: White supremist gang that murders people just for being black, Jewish, Muslim, or Hispanic.

    Really man no gang from Japan should be on this list. Japan has like 500 homicides in the entire country every year which would place their murder rate at like .38 per 100,000. I mean the Yakuza barely even classify’s as a gang.

    Reply
  7. ggt 11 says:
    May 21, 2013 at 8:29 am

    where is bloods?

    Reply
  8. Cristy says:
    June 11, 2013 at 9:39 am

    It is not said as “The Los Zetas” it is said as Los Zetas. The means Los in Spanish.

    Reply
  9. sonny says:
    July 27, 2013 at 9:07 am

    MS-13 started in El Salvador, not the streets of LA. Though they are most prevalent in the west and north east states.

    Reply
  10. Agent1 says:
    October 1, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    This list is some what true. As a government worker in the justice department. Mexican Cartels definitely take the top spots. As the Sinaloa Cartel grows in size and power, Los Zetas are being cleaned up by the Sinalo and other united Cartels. Not including the arrest and death of Los Zetas two leaders. El Chapo the Sinaloas Cartel leader should easily be number 1
    Also not considering he was listed on forbes list as one of the richest in the world.

    Reply
  11. Steve says:
    April 21, 2014 at 4:47 am

    Time shows that the knowledge gained through organized crime brings about a nicer kinder society. Until you learn to become respectful of others then you will live in fear. How many of our “leaders” know Jesus. I bet my human existence that everyone of our criminals has been for forgiven by him. Wow u folks really pick on bikers. Thought you all liked to report on your hobby of perverting children. You pervert crime!!

    Reply
  12. skyler says:
    May 1, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    yeah i definitely agree about the ms-13

    Reply
  13. Murage says:
    May 26, 2014 at 3:17 am

    Am surprised.What about Boko harum and alshabab?

    Reply
  14. ASHISH PANWAR says:
    May 29, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    THE TERRORIST GROUPS IN PAKISTAN ARE MOST DANGEROUS.

    Reply
  15. Raymond says:
    July 21, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    I think the Italy mob should be on this list

    Reply
  16. CodeRed says:
    August 2, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    Hell’s Angels shouldn’t be on this list. They can be dangerous but top ten? A bunch of middle age guys going through midlife crises, fighting with chains, pipes and SOMETIMES a pistol or two isn’t on the same level as even the Bloods or Crips gangs whose influence is mostly on the West Coast.

    Reply
  • Most Popular

    • Presa CanarioTop 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds To Be Wary OfJanuary 10, 2013
    • Arabic10 Hardest Languages To Learn For English SpeakersMarch 26, 2013
    • Challenge yourself to stay motionless for an hour101 Things To Do When You’re Bored At HomeFebruary 9, 2013
    • Syrian soldierThe 10 Most Dangerous Countries In 2013March 3, 2013
    • William James Sidis10 People With The Highest IQ Ever RecordedMarch 26, 2013
    • Detroit 8 Mile10 Most Dangerous Cities In America in 2013August 11, 2013
    • mogadishuThe 10 Most Dangerous Cities In 2013December 29, 2012
    • hells angels10 Most Dangerous Gangs In The WorldJanuary 2, 2013
  • Most Recent

    • TwilightTop 10 Chick FlicksJuly 3, 2014
    • Superman: Escape from KyrptonTop 10 Fastest Roller Coasters in the WorldJune 30, 2014
    • Al PacinoTop 10 Al Pacino MoviesJune 28, 2014
    • IcelandTop 10 Safest Countries in the World!June 24, 2014
    • Savings AccountTop Money Saving TipsApril 17, 2014
    • Leonardo DiCaprio90’s teen actors – where are they today?March 21, 2014
    • Richest Women in America10 Richest Women in AmericaMarch 16, 2014
    • 10 Best JokesTop 10 Best JokesMarch 12, 2014
  • advertise.com

  • Home
  • World
  • 10 Most Dangerous Gangs In The World
  • Follow Opishposh.com on Twitter!Follow Opishposh.com on Twitter!

© Copyright 2012-2013 - Opishposh.com. All Rights Reserved. Privacy policy