© Getty Images

Brigate Rosse, Italy -

Italy's Brigate Rosse, or Red Brigades, emerged as a formidable force in the 1970s and 1980s, blending political ideology with ruthless tactics. Their campaign of kidnapping, assassination, and armed robbery was driven by a far-left agenda, aiming to disrupt the Italian state system and provoke a revolutionary response.

© Getty Images

Brigate Rosse, Italy -

The kidnapping and murder of Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978 marked the peak of their infamy, leaving a scar on the nation's consciousness that would be remembered as the "Years of Lead."

© Getty Images

Hells Angels, US -

Founded in the mid-20th century, their rise to prominence coincided with America's fascination with motorcycle culture, freedom, and rebellion. Yet, beneath the leather jackets and roaring engines lies a history marred by drug trafficking, violent confrontations, and an unyielding loyalty to the club.

© Getty Images

Hells Angels, US -

The Angels assert that their club, while unconventional, is not inherently criminal, pointing to charitable events and community involvement as evidence.

© Getty Images

Vice Lords, US -

The Vice Lords stands as one of Chicago's oldest and most influential gangs, with roots stretching back to a youth detention center in the late 1950s. What began as a collective effort to protect their own in a hostile environment evolved into a sophisticated criminal network, engaging in extortion, money laundering, and violent crimes.

© Getty Images

Vice Lords, US -

Their notoriety grew, but so did their ambition, as they sought legitimacy through an unlikely grant from the Rockefeller Foundation—a move that briefly masked their criminal endeavors. This attempt at public relations did little to deter law enforcement, leading to a federal investigation that exposed the depth of the Vice Lords' activities.

© Getty Images

Aryan Brotherhood, US -

The Aryan Brotherhood represents a grim facet of American prison life, where survival and power often hinge on gang affiliation. Originating within the tumultuous environment of the U.S. penal system, this gang has cemented its notorious reputation through acts of violence, drug smuggling, and inmate exploitation.

© Getty Images

Aryan Brotherhood -

Despite their infamy, the Aryan Brotherhood has become a subject of fascination in popular media, depicted in films and television shows that explore the dark underbelly of prison culture and white supremacy.

© Getty Images

Los Zetas, Mexico -

Initially formed by deserting Mexican soldiers, Los Zetas carved out their own chapter in the annals of cartel history. Their military discipline translated into brutal efficiency, establishing a reign of terror marked by beheadings and executions to maintain their drug trafficking and human smuggling operations.

© Getty Images

Los Zetas, Mexico -

As the original leaders were captured or killed, the group faced challenges in maintaining its power. Yet, the legacy of Los Zetas as one of the most formidable and ruthless cartels remains undisputed.

© Getty Images

Sinaloa Cartel, Mexico -

The Sinaloa Cartel has become synonymous with the drug trade, trafficking cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines into the United States. Under the leadership of "El Chapo" Guzman, they've been named by the DEA as the most active drug trafficking operation, a testament to their reach and organizational prowess.

© Getty Images

Sinaloa Cartel, Mexico -

Despite El Chapo's incarceration, the cartel's influence persists, its operations adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the narcotics trade. Their story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of organized crime.

© Getty Images

Barrio Azteca, US -

Barrio Azteca emerged from the confines of the Texas prison system, growing into a formidable force in the drug trafficking world. Their loyalty and ruthlessness have made them invaluable to the Juarez Cartel.

© Getty Images

Barrio Azteca, US -

Their criminal portfolio has expanded beyond drug trafficking to include kidnapping, auto theft, and murder for hire, demonstrating their versatility and willingness to maintain fear and respect at all costs.

© Getty Images

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), US -

Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, has earned a reputation for brutal violence, a far cry from its original mission to protect Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles.

© Getty Images

Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), US -

Today, their activities span from larceny to human trafficking, including the abhorrent crime of child prostitution, marking them as one of the most feared gangs in the world.

© Getty Images

Latin Kings, US -

The Latin Kings began as a force for social change in Chicago, aiming to combat racial prejudice and improve conditions for Latinos. What started with noble intentions evolved into a structured criminal organization.

© Getty Images

Latin Kings, US -

This gang's narrative is one of transformation, from a group fighting for Latino rights to a syndicate involved in various criminal activities.

© Getty Images

Bloods and Crips, US -

The feud between the Bloods and the Crips is more than a gang war; it's a legend in Los Angeles' history. Established in 1969, the Crips' rivalry with the Bloods has defined the city's criminal landscape, with both gangs vying for supremacy through violence, drug trafficking, and extortion.

© Getty Images

Bloods and Crips, US -

This rivalry, while deadly, has become a part of the cultural narrative, influencing media and music. Despite their criminal activities, the story of the Bloods and Crips is a complex tapestry of social, economic, and racial tensions in America's urban heartlands.

© Getty Images

Mungiki, Kenya -

Mungiki, translating to “a united people,” presents a dichotomy of fierce cultural preservation and criminal enterprise. Originating in Kenya, this group has attracted youth with its promise of returning to traditional values, all while engaging in extortion, murder, and a militant stance against Western influence.

© Getty Images

Mungiki, Kenya -

The sect's connections to local police and government officials have been a point of contention, with accusations of corruption and collusion. Mungiki's influence raises questions about the intersection of cultural identity and criminality in Kenya's societal fabric.

© Getty Images

Medellín Cartel, Colombia -

At its height, the Medellín Cartel, led by the infamous Pablo Escobar, was responsible for an astonishing 85 percent of the cocaine entering the United States.

© Getty Images

Medellín Cartel, Colombia -

Escobar's audacious efforts to maintain control marked a dark chapter in Colombia's history, showcasing the destructive power of the drug trade.

© Public Domain

Triads, China -

Triads, the term used to describe the extensive network of Chinese organized crime, exhibit a complexity that belies their criminal nature. With strongholds in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, their reach is global, engaging in activities from smuggling to murder.

© Getty Images

Triads, China -

Their operations have adapted over time, moving from traditional vices to more sophisticated crimes, reflecting changes in society and the economy. Yet, their essence, a commitment to honor among thieves, remains a core part of their identity.

© Getty Images

Yakuza, Japan -

The Yakuza stands as a pillar of Japan's underworld, its roots stretching back to the 1600s. Adhering to a strict code of conduct and rituals that date centuries, members often bear full-body tattoos, a symbol of their lifelong commitment.

© Getty Images

Yakuza, Japan -

Their crimes, while avoiding petty theft, include sex trafficking, loan sharking, and arms dealing. The Yakuza's structure is clan-based, with each clan taking a slice of Japan's criminal pie.

© Getty Images

Sicilian Mafia, Italy -

The Sicilian Mafia, also known as La Cosa Nostra, isn't just another crime syndicate; it's a legend. With a history dramatized in films like 'The Godfather,' this Mafia has become the face of organized crime worldwide.

© Getty Images

Sicilian Mafia, Italy -

Violence and clan wars have always been a part of La Cosa Nostra's story, making headlines with dramatic shootouts. Beyond the bloodshed, their criminal activities span from extortion and racketeering to smuggling and running illicit prostitution rings.

Sources: (WatchMojo)

See also: The countries most affected by gangs

© Getty Images