{{Short description|Group drug trafficking operations}}
A '''drug cartel''' is a criminal organization composed of independent drug lords who collude with each other in order to improve their profits and dominate the illegal drug trade.<ref>{{cite book | title=Law Enforcement Responses to Mexican Drug Cartels: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, First Session, March 17, 2009 | date=2010 | publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office | isbn=978-0-16-086340-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OM_ElMMtEjYC&dq=drug+cartel&pg=PA2 }}</ref> Drug cartels form with the purpose of controlling the supply of the illegal drug trade and maintaining prices at a high level. The formations of drug cartels are common in Latin American countries. Rivalries between multiple drug cartels cause them to wage turf wars against each other. The term "narcotics cartel" is sometimes used to describe an organization that sells and trafficks narcotics (defined as substances that are illegal, such as cocaine in most places), but this term is not always used accurately as cartels can traffick eg. marijuana in jurisdictions where it is not illegal.
== Structure == The basic structure of a drug cartel is as follows: === Falcons === Considered as the "eyes and ears" of the streets, the "falcons" are the lowest rank in any drug cartel. They are scouts, who are responsible for conducting reconnaissance, such as reporting the activities of the police, the military and rival groups.<ref>{{cite news|title=Va Marina por 'halcones del crimen organizado|url=http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/04/va-marina-por-halcones-del-crimen.html|newspaper=Blog del Narco|date=21 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827061101/http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/04/va-marina-por-halcones-del-crimen.html|archive-date=27 August 2011}}</ref>
=== Hitmen === The armed group within the drug cartel, responsible for carrying out assassinations, kidnappings, thefts and extortions, operating protection rackets, as well as defending their ''plaza'' (turf) from rival groups and the military.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bowden|first=Charles|title=El sicario, un documental proscrito en México (1)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C45xR_48mQ |website=YouTube |date=Feb 6, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411020804/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C45xR_48mQ|archive-date=2016-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bowden|first=Charles F |author2=((axellmx1)) |title=El sicario, un documental proscrito en México (2)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDFDxtjGuuI |website=YouTube |date=Feb 6, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630083554/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDFDxtjGuuI|archive-date=2016-06-30}}</ref>
=== Lieutenants === The second highest position in the drug cartel organization, responsible for supervising the hitmen and falcons within their own territory. They are allowed to carry out low-profile murders without permission from their bosses.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ejército detiene a lugarteniente del cártel del Golfo|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/602145.html|newspaper=El Universal|date=2 June 2009|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012114558/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/602145.html|archive-date=12 October 2012}}</ref>
=== Drug lords === Drug lords are the highest position in any drug cartel, responsible for supervising the entire drug industry, appointing territorial leaders, making alliances, in addition to planning high-profile murders.<ref>{{cite web|title=DATOS – Principales capos de la droga en México|url=http://mx.ibtimes.com/articles/6593/20101106/lideres-droga-mexico-narcotrafico.htm|work=International Business Times |date=November 6, 2010 |access-date=November 6, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715171715/http://mx.ibtimes.com/articles/6593/20101106/lideres-droga-mexico-narcotrafico.htm|archive-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref>
=== Other roles === There are other operating groups within the drug cartels. For example, the drug producers and suppliers,<ref>{{cite journal|title=Uncovering the link between the Mexican drug cartels|journal=National Defense University: Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies|url=http://www.ndu.edu/chds/SRC-peru07/SRC_PAPERS/TRACK%201/VELARDE_SPA%20final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615194812/http://www.ndu.edu/chds/SRC-peru07/SRC_PAPERS/TRACK%201/VELARDE_SPA%20final.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-15}}</ref> although not considered in the basic structure, are critical operators of any drug cartel, along with the smugglers, distributors, sales representatives, accountants and money launderers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Las 5 caras del lavado de dinero |url=http://www.cnnexpansion.com/economia/2010/06/07/lavado-de-dinero-narco-mexico-eu |first1=Tania M. |last1=Moreno |newspaper= CNNExpansión |date=8 June 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214015/http://www.cnnexpansion.com/economia/2010/06/07/lavado-de-dinero-narco-mexico-eu |archive-date= Mar 3, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cae 'El Adal' operador financiero de los Zetas |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBEDcgepE6M&feature=channel_video_title |access-date=3 August 2011 |newspaper=TV Milenio |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110120521/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBEDcgepE6M&feature=channel_video_title |archive-date=10 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cae 'El Míchel' operador financiero de Los Zetas en Aguascalientes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpM93oU7ICM |access-date=3 August 2011 |newspaper=Tele Diario |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110120525/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpM93oU7ICM |archive-date=10 January 2015 }}</ref> Furthermore, the arms suppliers operate in a completely different circle;<ref>{{cite news |title=Entrevista a el Mamito, presunto fundador de los Zetas |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HacDTEn2TDs |newspaper=CNN Videos |date=Jul 6, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529140022/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HacDTEn2TDs |archive-date=2016-05-29 }}</ref> they are technically not considered part of the cartel's logistics.
==Africa== {{See also|Taxi wars in South Africa|blood diamond|Kivu conflict#Conflict minerals|Barbary Coast|Piracy in Somalia|Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb|Boko Haram}} *Cape Verdean organized crime *Mungiki<ref name="gangs">Kinnear, Karen L (2009) ''Gangs: a reference handbook'', ABC-CLIO, {{ISBN|1-59884-125-4}}</ref> *Organized crime in Nigeria<ref name="traffic">Shanty, Frank & Mishra, Patit (2007) ''Organized crime : from trafficking to terrorism'', ABC-CLIO, {{ISBN|1-57607-337-8}}</ref><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="drugs"/><ref name="jersey"/><ref name="afro"/><ref name="gomorra"/> **Confraternities in Nigeria ***Black Axe (organized crime group) **Anini gang *Mai-Mai militia gangs *Moroccan hashish smugglers **Ahmed organization
==Americas== {{see also|Illegal drug trade in Latin America}}
===North America===
====Canada==== *Rivard organization *Red Scorpions *Bacon Brothers *United Nations gang *Montreal **West End Gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="canada"/> **Blass gang **Dubois Brothers *Indo-Canadian organized crime **Brothers Keepers (gang) **Punjabi Mafia ਜੌਹਲ ਗਿਰੋਹ (Canada)<ref name="canada">Schneider, Stephen (2009) ''Iced: The Story of Organized Crime in Canada'', John Wiley and Sons, {{ISBN|0-470-83500-1}}</ref> *Canadian mafia families **Rizzuto crime family<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Cotroni crime family<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Musitano crime family<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Papalia crime family<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Luppino crime family<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Cuntrera-Caruana Mafia clan<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Perri crime family<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Siderno Group<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Commisso 'ndrina<ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/>
====Mexico==== {{see also|List of Mexican cartels}} [[File:Mexican cartel headquarters.svg|thumb|Mexican cartel headquarters]] Mexican cartels (also known in Mexico as: ''la Mafia'' (the mafia or the mob), ''La Maña'' (the skill / the bad manners),<ref>{{cite news|title=Controla 'La Maña' a Reynosa, Tamaulipas|url=http://www.terra.com.mx/noticias/articulo/790419/Controla+La+Mana+a+Reynosa+Tamaulipas.htm|newspaper=Terra Noticias|date=2 March 2009|access-date=4 August 2011|archive-date=18 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918080602/http://www.terra.com.mx/noticias/articulo/790419/Controla+La+Mana+a+Reynosa+Tamaulipas.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''narcotraficantes'' (narco-traffickers), or simply as ''narcos'' usually refers to several, rival, criminal organizations that are combated by the Mexican government in the Mexican drug war (List sorted by branches and heritage):<ref>{{cite web|last=Guerrero Gutiérrez|first=Eduardo|title=At the root of the violence|url=http://www.idpc.net/sites/default/files/library/wola_guerrero_root_of_violence.pdf|publisher=Nexos|access-date=9 October 2011}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Mexican academic Oswaldo Zavala, in his book ''Drug Cartels Do Not Exist'', argues that academics, officials, journalists and writers are mistaken to label the criminal gangs as cartels, noting that they do not meet the definition due to the competitive nature of the drugs trade, and the lack of hierarchal structure. He states that the Mexican state perpetuates the label to justify their militarised response.<ref name=":0">ANÍBAL GÓMEZ, O. ''Drug Cartels Do Not Exist: Narco-Trafficking and Culture in the US and Mexico''. '''Chasqui (01458973)''', ''[s. l.]'', v. 51, n. 2, pp. R29–R31, 2022. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=159559885&site=eds-live&scope=site . Accessed: 6 June 2023.</ref>
According to some observers in 2010, Los Zetas instituted social media demonstrations of torture and sadism in their reprisals which changed the rules of the game among the Mexican cartels.<ref>Grayson, George W. THE EVOLUTION OF LOS ZETAS IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA: SADISM AS AN INSTRUMENT OF CARTEL WARFARE. Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College, 2014. {{JSTOR|resrep11767}}Retrieved 5 Feb. 2025.</ref> The level of violence and social instability greatly increased during the presidency of Felipe Calderon.<ref>Wax-Edwards, Jessica. “Introduction.” Documenting Violence in Calderón’s Mexico: Visual Culture, Resistance and Memorialisation, Boydell & Brewer, 2023, pp. 1–8. {{doi|10.2307/j.ctv30pntt2.6}} Retrieved 5 February 2025.</ref> The Calderon and Foxe administrations worked closer with American law enforcement and utilized the military forces which led to some confusion among local law enforcement in public security and a variety of human rights abuses and corruption.<ref>YADAV, SUHASINI. “Mexican Drug Cartelisation: THE LONG WAR AND ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES (2000–2016).” ''World Affairs: The Journal of International Issues'', vol. 26, no. 2, 2022, pp. 40–59. {{JSTOR|48681980}} Retrieved 5 Feb. 2025.</ref> The former head of Mexican law enforcement, Genaro García Luna, was sentenced in the Eastern District of New York on October 16, 2024 for his role in Sinaloa Cartel associated drug trafficking in the United States.<ref>United States Attorney's Office. (16 October 2024). "Press Release:Ex-Mexican Secretary of Public Security Genaro Garcia Luna Sentenced to Over 38 Years' Imprisonment". [https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/ex-mexican-secretary-public-security-genaro-garcia-luna-sentenced-over-38-years U.S. Attorney's Office website] Retrieved 5 February 2025.</ref>
Note: As of 2020 the DEA considered the cartels of Sinaloa, Jalisco and Golfo-Noreste-Zetas to be the most influential cartels in Mexico.<ref>{{cite news |title=Estos son los nueve cárteles mexicanos que influyen en el trafico de drogas hacia EEUU, según la DEA |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mexico/2021/03/03/estos-son-los-nueve-carteles-mexicanos-que-influyen-en-el-trafico-de-drogas-hacia-eeuu-segun-la-dea/ |access-date=March 3, 2021 |publisher=Infobae |date=March 3, 2021 |language=es-ES}}</ref>
* ''Sinaloa Cartel'' (Spawned from the Guadalajara Cartel) ** Colima Cartel (members are now a branch of the Sinaloa Cartel)<ref name="fpri.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200708.grayson.mexicodrugcartels.html |title=E-Notes: Mexico and the Drug Cartels – FPRI |access-date=2010-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309155416/http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200708.grayson.mexicodrugcartels.html |archive-date=2012-03-09 }}</ref> ** Sonora Cartel (was reformed in 2018 and is still a branch of the Sinaloa Cartel)<ref name="fpri.org"/> ** Los Ántrax (enforcer squad) ** La Resistencia (Splintered from the Milenio Cartel; disbanded) [[File:Sinaloa Cartel Drug Tunnel.jpg|thumb|Drug trafficking tunnel under the U.S.-Mexico border used by the Sinaloa Cartel]] * ''Jalisco New Generation Cartel''<ref>{{cite news|title=Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación va contra todos|url=http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/06/cartel-de-jalisco-nueva-generacion-va.html|newspaper=Blog Del Narco|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807064647/http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/06/cartel-de-jalisco-nueva-generacion-va.html|archive-date=2011-08-07}}</ref> (Independent remnants of the Milenio Cartel)
* ''Gulf Cartel'' (The oldest Mexican criminal syndicate, started as Prohibition-era bootlegging gang) ** Los Zetas (Formerly part of the Gulf Cartel, now independent) *** Zetas Vieja Escuela (Formerly part of Los Zetas, now independent) *** Cártel del Noreste (Formerly part of Los Zetas, now independent) ** La Familia Michoacana (Formerly a branch of the Gulf Cartel, then went independent)<ref>La Familia Michoacana</ref><ref>Carlos Rosales Mendoza</ref> ** La Nueva Familia Michoacana Organization (Splintered from La Familia Cartel) ** Knights Templar Cartel (Splintered from La Familia Cartel)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eleconomista.com.mx/columnas/columna-especial-politica/2011/09/07/resistencia-jalisco-nueva-generacion|title=La Resistencia y Jalisco Nueva Generación|access-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220042809/http://eleconomista.com.mx/columnas/columna-especial-politica/2011/09/07/resistencia-jalisco-nueva-generacion |archive-date=20 December 2014}}</ref> ** Los Negros (Beltran-Leyva enforcement squad; disbanded) ** South Pacific Cartel (branch of the Beltran Leyva Cartel in Morelos)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/primera/35971.html|title=El Universal – Arresto de El Ponchis exhibe vacos legales|date=23 June 2013|access-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124307/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/primera/35971.html|archive-date=13 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inflexwetrust.com/2010/12/04/child-assassin-named-el-ponchisarrested-by-mexican-army/|title=Child Assassin named 'El Ponchis' Arrested By Mexican Army!! |work=In Flex We Trust |access-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129065323/http://www.inflexwetrust.com/2010/12/04/child-assassin-named-el-ponchisarrested-by-mexican-army/|archive-date=29 November 2014|date=2010-12-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://site.ninjacops.com/blog/4039/alleged-u-s-teen-cartel-assassin-arrested/|title=Alleged U.S teen cartel assassin arrested – Stun Gun Savior Self Defense Blog|access-date=16 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129032855/http://site.ninjacops.com/blog/4039/alleged-u-s-teen-cartel-assassin-arrested/|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> ** Independent Cartel of Acapulco<ref>{{cite news|title=Capturan a 'El Padrino', identificado como líder del Cártel Independiente de Acapulco|url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/3caab1c4736e2260b6f80d90cf77d05c|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910073907/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/3caab1c4736e2260b6f80d90cf77d05c|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-10|newspaper=Milenio TV}}</ref> (Splinter from the Beltran-Leyva Cartel) ** La Barredora (gang)<ref>{{cite news|title=Caen otros seis integrantes de La Barredora|url=http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/08/caen-otros-seis-integrantes-de-la.html|access-date=24 August 2011|newspaper=Blog del Narco|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408220159/http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/08/caen-otros-seis-integrantes-de-la.html|archive-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> **La Mano Con Ojos (gang) (small cell of Beltran-Leyva members in the State of Mexico) (Disbanded) **La Nueva Administración (Splintered from the Beltran-Leyva Cartel) (Disbanded) **La Oficina (gang) (cell of the Beltran-Leyva Cartel in Aguascalientes) (Disbanded) **Cártel de la Sierra (cell in Guerrero)<ref>{{cite news |title=Se presenta el Cártel de la Sierra en Guerrero con seis ejecutados |url=http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=521533 |newspaper=La Crónica |date=2010-07-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403015440/http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=521533 |archive-date=2012-04-03 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://contralinea.com.mx/archivo-revista/index.php/2014/10/13/en-guerrero-26-carteles-del-narcotrafico/|title=En Guerrero, 26 cárteles del narcotráfico|date=13 October 2014|access-date=20 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20170121032841/http://contralinea.com.mx/archivo-revista/index.php/2014/10/13/en-guerrero-26-carteles-del-narcotrafico/|archive-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> **Cártel de La Calle (cell in Chiapas)<ref>{{cite news|title=Aparece el Cártel de La Calle en Chiapas|url=http://www.blogdelnarco.com/2011/08/aparece-el-cartel-de-la-calle-en.html|access-date=6 August 2011|newspaper=Blog del Narco}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oem.com.mx/laprensa/notas/n3556880.htm|title=Organización Editorial Mexicana|access-date=20 January 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005935/http://www.oem.com.mx/laprensa/notas/n3556880.htm|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> **Los Chachos (gang in Tamaulipas) (Disbanded)<ref>{{cite news|last=Cacho|first=Lydia|title=La otra historia de 'La Barbie'|url=http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/opinion-articulo/la-otra-historia-de-la-barbie/|newspaper=Zócalo Saltillo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929202751/http://www.zocalo.com.mx/seccion/opinion-articulo/la-otra-historia-de-la-barbie/|archive-date=2011-09-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Otero|first=Sylvia|title=Surge nuevo 'narcoperfil'|url=http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=100976&tabla=nacion|newspaper=El Universal|date=20 August 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111155629/http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=100976&tabla=nacion|archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref> [[File:Drug-War Related Murders in Mexico 2006-2011.png|thumb|Drug war related murders in Mexico, 2006–2011]] *''Tijuana Cartel'' (Spawned from the Guadalajara Cartel) **Oaxaca Cartel (Was a branch of the disbanded Tijuana Cartel, its regional leader was captured in 2007) *''Juárez Cartel'' (Spawned from the Guadalajara Cartel) **La Línea (Juárez Cartel enforcer squad) **Barrio Azteca (U.S. street gang)<ref>{{cite news|title=Los Aztecas fueron los asesinos; en EU y México hay 5 mil|url=http://www.razon.com.mx/spip.php?article22937|newspaper=La Razón|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319031928/http://www.razon.com.mx/spip.php?article22937|archive-date=2012-03-19}}</ref> (Allied with La Linea)[[File:Esparragoza-Moreno.jpeg|thumb|150px|El Azul was a Mexican drug lord. He was a former Mexican secret police (DFS) agent.]] * Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel * Caborca Cartel *Lesser-known small-criminal organizations: **Los Mexicles (U.S. street gang)<ref>{{cite news|last=Cruz|first=Juan Manuel|title=Caen seis presuntos integrantes de Los Mexicles|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/777397.html|newspaper=El Universal|date=5 July 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709154337/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/777397.html|archive-date=9 July 2011}}</ref> ** Los Texas (street gang) (disbanded)<ref>{{cite news|last=Cobos González|first=Carmen|title=Desmantela Ejército banda de Los Texas|url=http://fox.presidencia.gob.mx/buenasnoticias/?contenido=5244&pagina=375|newspaper=PRESIDENCIA DE LA REPÚBLICA • MÉXICO|date=14 May 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930070733/http://fox.presidencia.gob.mx/buenasnoticias/?contenido=5244&pagina=375|archive-date=30 September 2011|access-date=1 August 2011}}</ref> *'''Government officials''': Other organizations that have been involved in drug trade or traffic in Mexico: **Mexican officials: ***Municipal, state, and Federal Police forces in Mexico<ref>{{cite news|title=Caen tres por crimen de Policía Municipal|url=http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/04/caen-tres-por-crimen-de-policia.html|newspaper=Mundo Narco}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pedraza|first=Iván|title=Investiga PGR a policías federales relacionados con el narco en Sonora|url=http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/2be504ebb2fb2703724fc150cfa5949d|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906095147/http://www.milenio.com/cdb/doc/noticias2011/2be504ebb2fb2703724fc150cfa5949d|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-09-06|newspaper=Milenio Televisión|date=2011-02-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Detienen en Colima a 36 policías estatales por vínculos con el narco|url=http://realidadbcs.com/2011/02/16/detienen-en-colima-a-36-policias-estatales-por-vinculos-con-el-narco/|newspaper=Periodico Realidad BCS|date=2011-02-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713213311/http://realidadbcs.com/2011/02/16/detienen-en-colima-a-36-policias-estatales-por-vinculos-con-el-narco/|archive-date=2012-07-13}}</ref> ***Mexican Armed Forces (Army and Navy<ref>{{cite news|title=Ejército ha procesado a 142 soldados por nexos con el narco|url=http://www.animalpolitico.com/2011/06/ejercito-ha-procesado-a-142-soldados-por-nexos-con-el-narco/|newspaper=Animal Politico|date=June 9, 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821134120/http://www.animalpolitico.com/2011/06/ejercito-ha-procesado-a-142-soldados-por-nexos-con-el-narco/|archive-date=August 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sedena procesa a 13 militares por nexos con el narco|url=http://www.lapoliciaca.com/nota-roja/sedena-procesa-a-13-militares-por-nexos-con-el-narco/|newspaper=La Policiaca|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325154118/http://www.lapoliciaca.com/nota-roja/sedena-procesa-a-13-militares-por-nexos-con-el-narco/|archive-date=2012-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Otero|first=Silvia|title=En prisión, 40 militares por nexos con el narco|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/176411.html|newspaper=El Universal|date=2010-03-20|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012114013/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/176411.html|archive-date=2012-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Investigan a 20 militares por nexos con narco |url= http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/389806.investigan-a-20-militares-por-nexos-con-narco.html |access-date= Oct 3, 2010 |newspaper= El Siglo de Torreón |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120322101235/http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/389806.investigan-a-20-militares-por-nexos-con-narco.html |archive-date= 2012-03-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Detienen a marino por nexos con narco |url=http://www.correo-gto.com.mx/notas.asp?id=163271 |newspaper=El Universal |date=28 May 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930023039/http://www.correo-gto.com.mx/notas.asp?id=163271 |archive-date=30 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Notimex |title=Detienen a marino por nexos con el narco |url=http://eleconomista.com.mx/seguridad-publica/2010/05/27/detienen-marino-nexos-narco |newspaper=El Economista |date=27 May 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004224305/http://eleconomista.com.mx/seguridad-publica/2010/05/27/detienen-marino-nexos-narco |archive-date=4 October 2011 }}</ref>) ***Mexico City International Airport<ref>{{cite news |last=Otero |first=Silvia |title=En la mira, la tropa aduanal del narco |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/159805.html |newspaper=El Universal |date=2008-05-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012114019/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/nacion/159805.html |archive-date=2012-10-12 }}</ref> ***Club Xoloitzcuintles (football)<ref>{{cite news |last=Morales |first=Alberto |title=Le hallaron 88 armas a Jorge Hank Rhon |url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/770444.html |newspaper=El Universal |date=June 4, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811005034/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/770444.html |archive-date=August 11, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Los 'Xolos' y Shakira, preocupación en Tijuana tras detención de Hank Rhon |url=http://mexico.cnn.com/deportes/2011/06/05/los-xolos-y-shakira-preocupacion-en-tijuana-tras-detencion-de-hank-rhon |newspaper=CNN México |date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722061358/http://mexico.cnn.com/deportes/2011/06/05/los-xolos-y-shakira-preocupacion-en-tijuana-tras-detencion-de-hank-rhon |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref> **United States officials: *** *** ***U.S. Customs and Border Protection<ref name="mundonarco.com">{{cite news|title=EU arrestó a 127 agentes aduanales corrompidos por narco mexicanos |url=http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/06/eu-arresto-127-agentes-aduanales.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906022833/http://www.mundonarco.com/2011/06/eu-arresto-127-agentes-aduanales.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |newspaper=Mundo Narco |date=June 9, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="elmanana.com.mx">{{cite news|title=Detienen a agente aduanal por narco |url=http://www.elmanana.com.mx/notas.asp?id=7274 |newspaper=El Mañana/El Universal |date=29 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323210533/http://www.elmanana.com.mx/notas.asp?id=7274 |archive-date=2012-03-23 }}</ref>
====United States==== thumb|Map of violent crime per 100,000 people in the US by state in 2016
The United States of America is the world's largest consumer of cocaine<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2086.html|title=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|access-date=16 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229044611/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2086.html|archive-date=29 December 2010}}</ref> and other illegal drugs.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-leads-the-world-in-illegal-drug-use/| title=U.S. Leads the World in Illegal Drug Use| work=CBS News| date=1 July 2008| url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927151429/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-leads-the-world-in-illegal-drug-use/| archive-date=27 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30946730|title=U.S. drug habit keeps Mexican war boiling|work=NBC News|access-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309180555/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30946730/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/us-drug-habits-help-finance-mexican-cartels/#.Uxx6Qvl5PIc|archive-date=9 March 2014|date=2009-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/special/math.html|title=Special Reports – Do The Math – Why The Illegal Business Is Thriving – Drug Wars – Frontline |publisher=PBS|access-date=16 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231003658/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/special/math.html|archive-date=31 December 2014}}</ref> This is a list of American criminal organizations involved in illegal drug traffic, drug trade and other related crimes in the United States:
*Polish Mob **Saltis-McErlane Gang<ref name="sifakis">Sifakis, Carl. ''The Mafia Encyclopedia''. New York: Da Capo Press, 2005. {{ISBN|978-0-8160-5694-1}}</ref> **Kielbasa Posse<ref>{{cite web |last=McGarvey |first=Brendan |url=http://citypaper.net/articles/2002-12-12/cb3.shtml |work=Philadelphia City Paper |title=Pole-Vaulting |publisher=Citypaper.net |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808163738/http://citypaper.net/articles/2002-12-12/cb3.shtml |archive-date=2010-08-08 }}</ref> **The Greenpoint Crew<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao/nye/pr/2006/2006mar8.html |title=Greenpoint Crew Indictment |publisher=Justice.gov |date=2006-03-08 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209020927/http://www.justice.gov/usao/nye/pr/2006/2006mar8.html |archive-date=2012-02-09 }}</ref> **Flats Mob **The Flathead gang<ref name="detroit">Kavieff, Paul (2008) ''Detroit's Infamous Purple Gang'' Arcadia Publishing, {{ISBN|0-7385-5238-0}}</ref> *Prohibition-era gangs **Galveston ***Downtown Gang ***Beach Gang ***The Maceo syndicate **Shelton Brothers Gang<ref name="sifakis"/><ref name="birger">Angle, Paul M (2991) ''Bloody Williamson: A Chapter in American Lawlessness'', University of Illinois Press, {{ISBN|0-252-06233-7}}</ref> **Sheldon Gang<ref name="sifakis"/> **Broadway Mob<ref name="sifakis"/> **The Lanzetta Brothers **Circus Cafe Gang<ref name="sifakis"/> **Wandering Family **Remus organization thumb|Mexican drug cartels operating in the United States in 2015 *Hispanic-American **Marielitos ***The Corporation<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> ** Mexican Mafia **Border Brothers ** Paisas ** Nuestra Familia [[File:CJNG - US Influence Map -2018.jpg|thumb|Area of influence map of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in the United States.]] *** Surenos or SUR 13 *** Nortenos or Norte 14 ***Mafia Azteca ***Brown Pride or BP **Puerto Rican mafia ***Agosto organization ***La ONU ***Martinez Familia Sangeros ***Solano organization ***Negri organization ***Márquez gambling ring **Polanco-Rodriguez organization<ref name="drugs"/> *Los Angeles ''(See also Rampart scandal)'' **Nash gang<ref name="deep">{{cite news |author=Allan MacDonell |url=http://www.laweekly.com/2003-10-09/news/in-too-deep/ |newspaper=LA Times |title=In Too Deep |publisher=Laweekly.com |date=2003-10-02 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007233907/http://www.laweekly.com/2003-10-09/news/in-too-deep/ |archive-date=2012-10-07 }}</ref> **Wonderland Gang<ref name="deep"/> ** Crips or Locs ** Bloods or B Dogs *Dixie Mafia<ref name="sifakis"/> **Cornbread Mafia<ref name="cornbread">{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs0/664/marijuan.htm |title=National Drug Intelligence Center – Wisconsin Drug Threat Assessment (2001) |publisher=Justice.gov |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122024459/http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs0/664/marijuan.htm |archive-date=2012-01-22 }}</ref> *Greek-American organized crime **Philadelphia Greek Mob<ref>{{cite web |last=McGarvey |first=Brendan |url=http://citypaper.net/articles/2006/12/14/buon-natale |work=Philadelphia City Paper |title=Buon Natale! |publisher=Citypaper.net |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071126021727/http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2006/12/14/buon-natale |archive-date=2007-11-26 }}</ref> **Velentzas Family<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/20/nyregion/man-tied-to-mafia-guilty-on-10-counts.html |title=Man Tied to Mafia Guilty on 10 Counts |work=NY Times |date=1992-06-20 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323064247/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/20/nyregion/man-tied-to-mafia-guilty-on-10-counts.html |archive-date=2010-03-23 }}</ref> *Chaldean mafia<ref name="whitecollar">Salinger, Lawrence (2005) ''Encyclopedia of White-Collar & Corporate Crime: A–I, Volume 1'' Sage, {{ISBN|0-7619-3004-3}}</ref> *Hawaii **The Company **Leota mob *Wall gang *Elkins mob *The Chickens and the Bulls *Binion mob *Johnston gang
=====La Cosa Nostra===== Italian immigrants to the United States in the early 19th century formed various small-time gangs which gradually evolved into sophisticated crime syndicates which dominated organized crime in America for several decades. Although government crackdowns and a less-tightly knit Italian-American community have largely reduced their power, they remain an active force in the underworld.
=====Active crime families===== *American Mafia *The Commission<ref name="idiot">Capeci, Jerry (2002) ''The complete idiot's guide to the Mafia'', Alpha Books, {{ISBN|0-02-864225-2}}</ref> *The Five Families of New York City<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="idiot"/> **Bonanno<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="jersey">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/ocreport.pdf |title=New Jersey Commission of Investigation Report – Changing face of organized crime |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219032552/http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/ocreport.pdf |archive-date=2011-12-19 }}</ref><ref name="harlem"/> ***Indelicato crew ***The Motion Lounge Crew **Colombo<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="jersey"/> ***Scarpa crew **Genovese<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="jersey"/><ref name="harlem"/><ref name="leo">{{cite web |url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/meet-the-genovese-crime-familys-new-boss/44363/ |title=Meet the Genovese Crime Family's New Boss |work=The New York Sun |publisher=NY Sun |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227211004/http://www.nysun.com/new-york/meet-the-genovese-crime-familys-new-boss/44363 |archive-date=2012-02-27 }}</ref> ***116th Street Crew<ref name="idiot"/> ***Greenwich Village Crew<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> ***New Jersey Crew<ref name="jersey"/> **Gambino<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="jersey"/><ref name="harlem"/> ***Ozone Park Boys<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/10/nyregion/queens-father-and-son-accused-in-illegal-gambling-operation.html?scp=1&sq=trucchio&st=nyt |title=Queens Father and Son Accused In Illegal Gambling Operation |publisher=NY Times |date=2002-12-10 |access-date=2012-02-19 |first=William K. |last=Rashbaum |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209142126/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/10/nyregion/queens-father-and-son-accused-in-illegal-gambling-operation.html?scp=1&sq=trucchio&st=nyt |archive-date=2015-12-09 }}</ref> ***DeMeo crew<ref name="idiot"/> ***Baltimore Crew ***South Florida faction ***New Jersey faction ***The Bergin Crew ***Cherry Hill Gambinos **Lucchese<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="jersey"/><ref name="leo"/> ***The Jersey Crew<ref name="jersey"/> ***The Vario Crew<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> ***107th Street gang *Magaddino crime family<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="idiot"/> *DeCavalcante crime family<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="jersey"/> *The Chicago Outfit<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="whitecollar"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="detroit"/> ''(see also Unione Siciliane)'' **Las Vegas crew (defunct) *Philadelphia crime family<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="canada"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="jersey"/> *Pittsburgh crime family<ref name="idiot"/><ref name="sifakis"/> *Patriarca crime family<ref name="idiot"/> **Angiulo Brothers crew<ref name="idiot"/> *Cleveland crime family<ref name="idiot"/><ref name="detroit"/> *Los Angeles crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Kansas City crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Trafficante crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Detroit Partnership<ref name="idiot"/><ref name="sifakis"/><ref name="detroit"/> *Milwaukee crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *New Orleans crime family<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="sifakis"/>
=====Defunct mafia families===== *Morello crime family<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="idiot"/> *Genna crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Porrello crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *St. Louis crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Rochester Crime Family<ref name="idiot"/> *Bufalino crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Dallas crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Denver crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *San Francisco crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *San Jose crime family<ref name="idiot"/> *Seattle crime family *Omaha crime family *Licavoli Mob<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="idiot"/> *Cardinelli gang *New York Camorra *East Harlem Purple Gang<ref name="leo"/> *National Crime Syndicate<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="sifakis"/> **Seven Group<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="sifakis"/> **Murder, Inc.<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="jew">Rockaway, Robert A (2000) ''But he was good to his mother: the lives and crimes of Jewish gangsters'', Gefen Publishing House Ltd, {{ISBN|965-229-249-4}}</ref>
=====Jewish mafia===== *New York City **Schultz gang **The Bugs and Meyer Mob<ref name="jew"/> **Shapiro Brothers<ref name="jew"/> **Yiddish Black Hand<ref name="jew"/> **Rothstein organization **Kaplan gang **Rosenzweig gang *Boston **69th Street Gang<ref name="jew"/> **Sagansky organization **Solomon organization<ref name="jew"/> *Los Angeles **Mickey Cohen gang (mix between Jewish and Italian members)<ref name="idiot"/><ref name="sifakis"/><ref name="jew"/> *The Purple Gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="jew"/><ref name="detroit"/> *Zwillman gang<ref name="jew"/> *Kid Cann's gang<ref name="jew"/> *Birger mob<ref name="birger"/> *Cleveland Syndicate
=====African-American organized crime===== *New York City **The Council<ref name="dea"/><ref name="drugs"/><ref name="harlem"/> **Harlem numbers racket<ref name="harlem"/> **Bumpy Johnson gang<ref name="harlem"/> **Supreme Team<ref name="bet">[http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/americangangster/ag_gangsterguide.htm American Gangster, BET] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529100834/http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/americangangster/ag_gangsterguide.htm |date=May 29, 2010 }}</ref> **The Bebos **The Country Boys<ref name="harlem"/><ref name="bet"/> **Matthews Organization<ref name="harlem"/> *The Family *Detroit **Black Mafia Family<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr102805.html |title=DEA – News Release: DEA Deals Motor City Mafia a Knock-out Blow |publisher=Justice.gov |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123063401/http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr102805.html |archive-date=2012-01-23 }}</ref> **Young Boys, Inc.<ref name="drugs"/> **Chambers Brothers<ref name="drugs"/> *Philadelphia **Black Mafia<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="harlem">Chepesiuk, Ron (2007) ''Gangsters of Harlem: the gritty underworld of New York City's most famous neighborhood'', Barricade Books, {{ISBN|1-56980-318-8}}</ref><ref name="bet"/> **Junior Black Mafia<ref name="afro">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/afro.pdf |title=New Jersey Commission of Investigation Report – Afro-lineal organized crime |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019210412/http://www.state.nj.us/sci/pdf/afro.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-19 }}</ref> *Oakland, California **69 Mob<ref name="bet"/> *Baltimore **Williams organization (drug trafficking)<ref name="bet"/> *Washington, D.C. **Rayful Edmond organization<ref name="bet"/> *Chicago **Theodore Roe's gambling ring **Stokes organization *Atlantic City **Aso Posse *Miami **Miami Boys *Rosemond Organization
=====Irish Mob===== *Prohibition-era Chicago gangs **North Side Gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="sifakis"/><ref name="paddy">English, T.J. ''Paddy Whacked: The Untold Story of the Irish American Gangster''. New York: HarperCollins, 2005, {{ISBN|0-06-059002-5}}</ref> **James Patrick O'Leary organization **John Patrick Looney gang **Valley Gang<ref name="sifakis"/> **Ragen's Colts<ref name="sifakis"/> **Touhy gang *Boston **Mullen Gang<ref name="paddy"/> **Winter Hill Gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="paddy"/> **Gustin Gang<ref name="paddy"/> **Charlestown Mob **Killeen gang<ref name="paddy"/> *Danny Hogan's gang *Danny Walsh gang *Tom Dennison empire *Danny Greene's Celtic Club<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="paddy"/> *Nucky Johnson's Organization *K&A Gang *Enright gang *New York **Dwyer gang **The Westies<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="paddy"/> **White Hand Gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> **Higgins gang *St Louis **Hogan Gang **Egan's Rats<ref name="sifakis"/><ref name="paddy"/>
===Caribbean=== {{See also|Piracy in the Caribbean|Illegal drugs in Puerto Rico}} *Chadee gang (Trinidad and Tobago) *Jamaican Yardies & Posses<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="drugs"/><ref name="afro"/><ref name="morton"/> **Shower Posse<ref name="afro"/><ref name="morton"/> **POW Posse **Tottenham Mandem<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1978157.stm |title='Malign and corrosive' gangsters |work=BBC News |date=2002-05-17 |access-date=2012-02-19 |first=Chris |last=Summers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125044202/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1978157.stm |archive-date=2009-01-25 }}</ref> ***Star Gang **Klans Massive<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-924974-yardies-at-war-on-our-doorsteps.do |title=London Evening Standard – Yardies at war on our doorsteps |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228161748/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-924974-yardies-at-war-on-our-doorsteps.do |archive-date=2011-12-28 }}</ref> *No Limit Soldiers (Curaçao) *Phantom death squad (Guyana) *Suri-kartel (Suriname) *Zoe Pound (Haitian, see also Tonton Macoute) * Dominican drug cartels<ref name="dto">{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs27/27506/dtos.htm |title=New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis 2008 – Drug Trafficking Organizations |publisher=Justice.gov |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120043836/http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs27/27506/dtos.htm |archive-date=2012-01-20 }}</ref> **Paulino organization<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=189130 |title=Supreme Court orders arrests of three |publisher=Diario Libre |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303203858/http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=189130 |archive-date=2012-03-03 }}</ref> **Féliz organization
===South America===
====Brazil==== *Primeiro Comando da Capital, based in São Paulo *Comando Vermelho, based in Rio de Janeiro *Terceiro Comando, based in Rio de Janeiro (disbanded<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-25 |title=PROCURADOS – Ajude a Polícia do Rio de Janeiro a Combater o Crime – Procurados.org.br |url=http://www.procurados.org.br/page.php?id=19 |access-date=2023-02-07 |archive-date=2011-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125014927/http://www.procurados.org.br/page.php?id=19 |url-status=dead }}</ref>) **Terceiro Comando Puro, based in Rio de Janeiro *Amigos dos Amigos, based in Rio de Janeiro *Família do Norte, based in Amazonas *Guardiões do Estado, based in Ceará *Bonde do Maluco, based in Bahia
====Bolivia==== *Bolivian drug cartels ''(See also García Meza regime drug trafficking)'' **Chapare Cartel **La Corporación **Santa Cruz Cartel
====Colombia==== {{main|Illegal drug trade in Colombia}} [[File:Gomez-Bustamante extradited from Colombia to the United States 2007.jpg|thumb|Luis Hernando Gomez-Bustamante, also known as "Rasguño", arrest performed by the National Police of Colombia]]
Colombia is the largest producer of cocaine in the world,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://latinamericanpost.com/23424-colombia-is-still-the-worlds-biggest-producer-of-cocaine|title = Colombia is still the world's biggest producer of cocaine – LatinAmerican Post| date=20 September 2018 }}</ref> and cocaine production in Colombia reached an all-time high in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colombia cocaine production acreage at 'record level' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45578492 |work=BBC News |date=20 September 2018}}</ref>
Active Colombian drug cartels:
*The Black Eagles *Clan del Golfo *Oficina de Envigado *National Liberation Army (Colombia) *FARC dissidents *Los Rastrojos
Historical Colombian drug cartels:
*Medellín Cartel *Cali Cartel *Norte del Valle Cartel *North Coast Cartel *United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia *Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
====Peru==== *Peruvian drug cartels ''(see also Vladimiro Montesinos)'' **Zevallos organisation
====Ecuador==== {{further|War on drugs in Ecuador}} Active Ecuadorian drug cartels:
*Los Choneros *Los Lobos *Los Tiguerones *Los Lagartos *Los Chone Killers *Las Aguílas
====Venezuela==== Historically Venezuela has been a path to the United States for illegal drugs originating in Colombia, through Central America and Mexico and Caribbean countries such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
According to the United Nations, there has been an increase of cocaine trafficking through Venezuela since 2002.<ref>''El Universal'', 24 February 2008, [http://www.eluniversal.com/2009/02/24/pol_art_aumenta-narcotrafico_1279821.shtml Aumenta narcotráfico por Venezuela] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028034322/http://www.eluniversal.com/2009/02/24/pol_art_aumenta-narcotrafico_1279821.shtml |date=2016-10-28 }}</ref> In 2005, Venezuela severed ties with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), accusing its representatives of spying.<ref name=NYT2012>{{cite news|last1=Neuman|first1=William|title=In Venezuela, Remote Areas Provide a Drug Trafficking Hub « Previous|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/07/27/world/americas/20120727VENEZUELA.html|access-date=5 June 2015|agency=The New York Times|date=26 July 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307130733/http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/07/27/world/americas/20120727VENEZUELA.html|archive-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> Following the departure of the DEA from Venezuela and the expansion of DEA's partnership with Colombia in 2005, Venezuela became more attractive to drug traffickers.<ref name=VICEdrugs>{{cite news|last=al-Ameri|first=Alaa|title=Venezuela's Drug-Running Generals May Be Who Finally Ousts Maduro|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/venezuelas-drug-running-generals-may-be-who-finally-ousts-maduro/|access-date=26 May 2014|newspaper=Vice News|date=31 March 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006145946/https://news.vice.com/article/venezuelas-drug-running-generals-may-be-who-finally-ousts-maduro|archive-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> Between 2008 and 2012, Venezuela's cocaine seizure ranking among other countries declined, going from being ranked fourth in the world for cocaine seizures in 2008<ref name="unodc.org">United Nations, [http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2010/AllSeizures.pdf World Drug Report 2010 Statistical Annex: Drug seizures] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827162949/http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2010/AllSeizures.pdf |date=2013-08-27 }}</ref> to sixth in the world in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Drug seizures Report From Year: 2009 Until Year: 2012 Drug Group: Cocaine-type|url=https://data.unodc.org/sys/rpt?reportfile=seizures-list-blue-wide®ION=__ALL®ION__label=All&SUBREGION=__ALL&SUBREGION__label=All&COUNTRY=__ALL&COUNTRY__label=All&YEAR_FROM=2009&YEAR_FROM__label=2009&YEAR_TO=2012&YEAR_TO__label=2012&DRUG_GROUP=4&DRUG_GROUP__label=Cocaine-type&DRUG=__ALL&DRUG__label=All&UNIT=__ALL&UNIT__label=All&SOURCE=__ALL&SOURCE__label=All+%2821%29&format=pdf&fullscreen=true&showtoc=true#state:0|access-date=29 May 2015|agency=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|archive-date=13 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313092003/https://dataunodc.un.org/#state:0|url-status=dead}}</ref> The cartel groups involved include:
* The Cuntrera-Caruana Mafia clan moved to Venezuela,<ref name=roth>Tom Blickman (1997), "[http://www.tni.org/archives/tblick/aruba.htm The Rothschilds of the Mafia on Aruba] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705215807/http://www.tni.org/archives/tblick/aruba.htm |date=2008-07-05 }}", ''Transnational Organized Crime'', Vol. 3, No. 2, Summer 1997</ref> which became an important hideout as the clan bought hotels and founded various businesses in Caracas and Valencia, as well as an extended ranch in Barinas, near the Colombian border. ''"Venezuela has its own Cosa Nostra family as if it is Sicilian territory,"'' according to the Italian police. ''"The structure and hierarchy of the Mafia has been entirely reproduced in Venezuela."'' The Cuntrera-Caruana clan had direct links with the ruling Commission of the Sicilian Mafia, and are acknowledged by the American Cosa Nostra.<ref name=roth/>
Pasquale, Paolo and Gaspare Cuntrera were expelled from Venezuela in 1992, "almost secretly smuggled out of the country, as if it concerned one of their own drug transports. It was imperative they could not contact people on the outside who could have used their political connections to stop the expulsion." Their expulsion was ordered by a commission of the Venezuelan Senate headed by Senator Cristobal Fernandez Dalo and his money laundering investigator, Thor Halvorssen Hellum. They were arrested in September 1992 at Fiumicino airport (Rome),<ref name="Fonzi">Fonzi, Gaeton. "[http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0308/PG1194_feature1.pdf The Troublemaker] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909133805/http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0308/PG1194_feature1.pdf |date=2015-09-09 }}". ''The Pennsylvania Gazette'' (November 1994).</ref><ref>Presumed Guilty, by Isabel Hilton, Gentlemen's Quarterly (GQ), July 1994 (UK edition)</ref> and in 1996 were sentenced to 13–20 years.<ref name=roth/>
* Norte del Valle Cartel : In 2008 the leader of the Colombian Norte del Valle Cartel, Wilber Varela, was found murdered in a hotel in Mérida in Venezuela.<ref>''BBC'', 1 February 2008, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7223452.stm Colombian drugs lord found dead] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207035114/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7223452.stm |date=2008-02-07 }}</ref> * The Cartel of the Suns According to Jackson Diehl. Deputy Editorial Page Editor of ''The Washington Post'', the Bolivarian government of Venezuela shelters "one of the world's biggest drug cartels". There have also been allegations that former president Hugo Chávez and Diosdado Cabello being involved with drug trafficking.<ref name=JDmay2015>{{cite news|last1=Diehl|first1=Jackson|title=A drug cartel's power in Venezuela|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-drug-cartels-power-in-venezuela/2015/05/24/9bc0ff14-ffd6-11e4-8b6c-0dcce21e223d_story.html|access-date=29 May 2015|agency=The Washington Post|date=29 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529053142/http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-drug-cartels-power-in-venezuela/2015/05/24/9bc0ff14-ffd6-11e4-8b6c-0dcce21e223d_story.html|archive-date=29 May 2015}}</ref>
In May 2015, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported from United States officials that drug trafficking in Venezuela increased significantly with Colombian drug traffickers moving from Colombia to Venezuela due to pressure from law enforcement.<ref name=SUNwsj>{{cite news|last1=DeCórdoba|first1=José|last2=Forero|first2=Juan|title=Venezuelan Officials Suspected of Turning Country into Global Cocaine Hub; U.S. probe targets No. 2 official Diosdado Cabello, several others, on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuelan-officials-suspected-of-turning-country-into-global-cocaine-hub-1431977784|access-date=19 May 2015|agency=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=Dow Jones & Company Inc|date=18 May 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520010806/http://www.wsj.com/articles/venezuelan-officials-suspected-of-turning-country-into-global-cocaine-hub-1431977784|archive-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> One United States Department of Justice official described the higher ranks of the Venezuelan government and military as "a criminal organization", with high ranking Venezuelan officials, such as National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello, being accused of drug trafficking.<ref name=SUNwsj/> Those involved with investigations stated that Venezuelan government defectors and former traffickers had given information to investigators and that details of those involved in government drug trafficking were increasing.<ref name=SUNwsj/>
===Central America===
====Honduras==== *Matta organization *Cachiros
====El Salvador==== *Mara Salvatrucha
====Guatemala==== *Los Huistas (Huehuetenango) *Los Pelones
====Nicaragua==== *Oscar Danilo Blandón ''see also Contra cocaine trafficking''
==Asia== ===East Asia=== ====Korea====
*Korean criminal organizations ''(see also North Korea's illicit activities)''
====Japan====
=====Japanese criminal organizations===== {{See also|Kenji Doihara#Criminal activities}}
The yakuza of Japan are similar to the Italian mafias in that they originated centuries ago and follow a rigid set of traditions, but have several aspects that make them unique, such as their full-body tattoos and their fairly open place in Japanese society. Many yakuza groups are umbrella organizations, smaller gangs reporting to a larger crime syndicate.
======Active yakuza groups====== *Roku-daime Yamaguchi-gumi 六代目山口組<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="yakuza">Kaplan, David E. & Dubro, Alec (2003) ''Yakuza: Japan's criminal underworld'', University of California Press, {{ISBN|0-520-21562-1}}</ref> **Yon-daime Yamaken-gumi 四代目山健組<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="yakuza"/> **Ni-daime Kodo-kai 二代目弘道会<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> **Ni-daime Takumi-gumi 二代目宅見組<ref name="yakuza"/> **Go-daime Kokusui-kai 五代目國粹会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Inagawa-kai 稲川会<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="yakuza"/> * Sumiyoshi-kai 住吉会<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="yakuza"/> **Sumiyoshi-ikka Shinwa-kai 住吉一家親和会 ***Kansuke Juni-daime 勘助十二代目 *Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi *Matsuba-kai 松葉会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Kyokuto-kai 極東会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Dojin-kai<ref name="yakuza"/> 道仁会 **Kitamura-gumi *Yon-daime Kudo-kai<ref name="yakuza"/> 四代目工藤會 *Roku-daime Aizu-Kotetsu-kai 六代目会津小鉄会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Okinawa Kyokuryu-kai 沖縄旭琉会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Kyushu Seido-kai 九州誠道会 *Go-daime Kyosei-kai 五代目共政会<ref name="yakuza"/> *San-daime Fukuhaku-kai 三代目福博会 *Soai-kai 双愛会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Yon-daime Kyokuryu-kai 四代目旭琉会<ref name="yakuza"/> *San-daime Kyodo-kai 三代目俠道会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Taishu-kai 太州会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Shichi-daime Goda-ikka 七代目合田一家<ref name="yakuza"/> *Toa-kai 東亜会<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> *Ni-daime Azuma-gumi 二代目東組<ref name="yakuza"/> *Yon-daime Asano-gumi 四代目浅野組<ref name="yakuza"/> *Hachi-daime Sakaume-gumi 八代目酒梅組 *Yon-daime Kozakura-ikka 四代目小桜一家<ref name="yakuza"/> *Ni-daime Shinwa-kai 二代目親和会<ref name="yakuza"/>
======Defunct yakuza groups====== *Kantō-kai 関東会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Ni-daime Honda-kai 二代目本多会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Yamaguchi-gumi **Goto-gumi 後藤組<ref name="yakuza"/> **Suishin-kai 水心会<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/mayors-assassination-sparks-new-yakuza-fears/story-e6frg6so-1111113367257 |title=Mayor's assassination sparks new yakuza fears |work=The Australian |date= 2007-04-19|access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref> *Ichiwa-kai 一和会<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="yakuza"/> *San-daime Yamano-kai 三代目山野会<ref name="yakuza"/> *Nakano-kai 中野会<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="yakuza"/> *Kyokuto Sakurai-soke-rengokai 極東桜井總家連合会<ref name="yakuza"/>
====Chinese==== {{See also|Tiandihui|Kuomintang in Burma#CIA connection and opium trade}}
The Triads is a popular name for a number of Chinese criminal secret societies, which have existed in various forms over the centuries (see for example Tiandihui). However, not all Chinese gangs fall into line with these traditional groups, as many non-traditional criminal organizations have formed, both in China and the Chinese diaspora.
*Hong Kong-based Triads ** 14K Group 十四K ** Wo Group 和字頭 *** Wo Shing Wo 和勝和 *** Wo On Lok (Shui Fong) 和安樂(水房) *** Wo Hop To 和合圖(老和)<ref name="archive1">{{cite web |title=Chinese Criminal Enterprises |url=http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive_Index/Chinese_Criminal_Enterprises.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109233824/http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive_Index/Chinese_Criminal_Enterprises.html |archive-date=2008-01-09 |date=2008-01-09 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref> ** Sun Yee On 新義安(老新) ** Luen Group 聯字頭 ** Big Circle Gang 大圈 * Sio Sam Ong (小三王) * Chinese-American gangs ''(See also Tongs)'' ** Wah Ching 華青<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac/pr2002/013.html |date=2007-01-24 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070124185611/http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac/pr2002/013.html |archive-date=January 24, 2007 |title=USAO/CDCA Press Release }}</ref> ** Ping On ** Black Dragons 黑龍<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.streetgangs.com/topics/2005/062105dragon.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911025235/http://www.streetgangs.com/topics/2005/062105dragon.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 11, 2012 |title=Court May Have Slain Black Dragon |publisher=Streetgangs.com |date=2005-06-21 |access-date=2012-02-19 }}</ref> ** Jackson Street Boys 積臣街小子<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianweek.com/2000_03_30/bay_21boysextortion.html |access-date=January 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127082314/http://www.asianweek.com/2000_03_30/bay_21boysextortion.html |archive-date=January 27, 2007 |title=AsianWeek: Bay News: 21 Boys Gangsters Sentenced for Extortion }}</ref> *Taiwan-based Triads **United Bamboo Gang 竹聯幫<ref name="taipeitimes2001"/> **Four Seas Gang 四海幫<ref name="taipeitimes2001">{{cite web |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2001/12/17/116136 |title='Mosquito brother' celebrates 90th birthday in style |publisher=Taipei Times |date=2012-02-12 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208104350/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/local/archives/2001/12/17/116136 |archive-date=2012-02-08 }}</ref> **Celestial Alliance *Mainland Chinese crime groups ''(see also Hanlong Group)'' ** Chongqing group 重慶組 ** Defunct ***Honghuzi gangs *** Green Gang 青帮 *Triads in Cholon **Wu Bang
===Southeast Asia=== {{see also|Manchukuo#Drug trafficking}} *Golden Triangle<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="dea">{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/history/history_part1.pdf |title=DEA History Book, Part 1 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118223058/http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/history/history_part1.pdf |archive-date=2012-01-18 }}</ref><ref name="drugs"/><ref name="triad">Booth, Martin (2000) ''The dragon syndicates: the global phenomenon of the Triads'' Basic Books, {{ISBN|0-7867-0869-7}}</ref> **Burmese drug cartels'' (see also Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army)'' ***Khun Sa cartel<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="drugs">Chepesiuk, Ron (1999) ''The war on drugs: an international encyclopedia'', ABC-CLIO, {{ISBN|0-87436-985-1}}</ref> ''(see also Mong Tai Army)'' ***Red Wa ''(see also United Wa State Army and National Democratic Alliance Army)'' ***Hawngleuk Militia ***Han cartel **Laotian drug cartels ''(see also Ouane Rattikone)'' {{See also|Piracy in the Strait of Malacca}} *Chao pho **Red Wa *Filipino crime gangs ''(See also Abu Sayyaf and New People's Army)'' **Kuratong Baleleng<ref name="traffic"/> **Waray-Waray gangs<ref name="Rizal">{{cite web|url=http://tempo.com.ph/2018/10/10/6-gun-for-hire-gang-men-killed-in-rizal-shootout/|title=6 gun-for-hire gang men killed in Rizal shootout|website=Tempo: News Flashes|date=9 October 2018|access-date=14 November 2020|archive-date=20 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920012734/https://tempo.com.ph/2018/10/10/6-gun-for-hire-gang-men-killed-in-rizal-shootout/|url-status=dead}} October 10, 2018</ref> **Bahala Na Gang **Sigue Sigue Sputnik **Putik gang (defunct) *Cambodian crime gangs **Teng Bunma organization *Malaysian crime gangs **Mamak Gang<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/2/nation/20080902195317&sec=nation |title=Cops shoot dead four Mamak Gang members |work=The Star |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629032055/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F9%2F2%2Fnation%2F20080902195317&sec=nation |archive-date=2011-06-29 }}</ref> * Secret societies in Singapore **Ang Soon Tong 洪順堂 **Ghee Hin Kongsi 義興公司 **Hai San 海山 **Wah Kee華記 ** Ah Kong 阿公
====Vietnamese Xã Hội Đen==== *Bình Xuyên<ref>Ooi, Keat Gin (2004) ''Southeast Asia: a historical encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor, Volume 1'' ABC-CLIO, {{ISBN|1-57607-770-5}}</ref> *Đại Cathay's mafia during the 60s *Năm Cam's mafia of the 90s<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> *Khánh Trắng's "Đồng Xuân Labor Union", a crime syndicate under the guise of a legal entity *Dung Hà's gang *Vũ Xuân Trường's gang: a crime syndicate led by Vũ Xuân Trường, a government official and also a drug lord.
===South Asia=== {{See also|Haqqani Network|Zomi Revolutionary Army}} *Mafia Raj *Dacoit gangs ====India==== *Indian mafia ''(See also Insurgency in Northeast India)'' **Mumbai ***D-Company डी कंपनी<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> ***Chhota Rajan gang राजन गिरोह<ref name="mcmafia"/> ***Gawli gang गवली गिरोह<ref name="mcmafia"/> ***Bada Rajan gang ***Surve gang ***Mudaliar gang ***Mastan gang ***Budesh gang ***Kalani gang ***Kala Kaccha Gangs ***Chaddi Baniyan Gangs ***Singh gang ***Veerappan gang ***Devi gang **Pathan mafia ***Lala gang =====Uttar Pradesh===== *Ansari gang *Yadav gang =====Bangalore===== *Rai gang *Ramachandra gang *Jayaraj gang
====Sri Lanka==== *Sri Lankan criminal groups ====Pakistan==== *Pakistani mafia ''(See also Peoples' Aman Committee, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and ISI involvement with drugs)'' **Chotu gang **Lyari Gang **Afridi Network ====Afghanistan==== *Golden Crescent<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="drugs"/> ** Afghan drug cartels<ref name="mcmafia">Glenny, Misha (2009) ''McMafia'', Vintage Books, {{ISBN|1-4000-9512-3}}</ref><ref name="whitecollar"/> ''(see also Taliban)'' *** Noorzai Organization<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1587252,00.html |magazine=Time |title=Warlord or Druglord? |date=2007-02-08 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222093838/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1587252,00.html |archive-date=2012-02-22 }}</ref> *** Khan organization *** Karzai organization (alleged) *** Bagcho organization
===Central Asia=== *Uzbek mafia ''(See also Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan)'' **Rakhimov organization *Kyrgyz mafia **Erkinbayev group **Akmatbayev group **Kolbayev group
===West Asia=== {{See also|Shabeeha|al-Qaeda in Iraq|Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant|Mokhtar Belmokhtar|Ba'athist Syrian Captagon industry|Piracy in the Persian Gulf}}
<ref>{{cite web |last=Sherlock |first=Ruth |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/Syrian+rebels+kidnappings+raise+funds/7211632/story.html |title=Syrian rebels use kidnappings to raise funds |publisher=Vancouver Sun |date=2012-09-08 |access-date=2012-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912022544/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Syrian+rebels+kidnappings+raise+funds/7211632/story.html |archive-date=2012-09-12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14482968 |title=BBC News – Syria unrest: Who are the shabiha? |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2012-05-29 |access-date=2012-10-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906084132/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14482968 |archive-date=2012-09-06 }}</ref>
*Israeli mafia<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="whitecollar"/><ref name="global"/> ''(see also Stern Gang)'' **Abergil Crime Family משפחת הפשע אברג'יל<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/> **Alperon crime family משפחת הפשע אלפרון<ref name="traffic"/> **Zeev Rosenstein organization ארגון זאב רוזנשטיין<ref name="traffic"/> **Palestinian organized crime ''(See also Abu Nidal Organization)'' ***Doghmush clan ***Popular Forces<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Al Jazeera |title=Gaza militia leader accused of collaborating with Israel killed: Reports |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/4/gaza-militia-leader-accused-of-collaborating-with-israel-killed-reports |access-date=4 December 2025 |website=Al Jazeera English |language=en}}</ref> *Turkish mafia<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="turk">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2425825.stm |title=Keeping tabs on the Turkish connection |work=BBC News |date=2002-11-14 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520104655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2425825.stm |archive-date=2008-05-20 }}</ref> **Crime groups in Turkey ''(see also Deep state and Yüksekova Gang)'' ***Kılıç gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> ***Çakıcı gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="turk"/> ***Yaprak Family ***Topal organisation ***Söylemez Gang ***Arifs<ref name="morton"/><ref name="london"/> **Turkish organised crime in Germany ***Arabacı clan<ref>[http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1096374340433.shtml Rotlicht-Pate muss neun Jahre hinter Gitter] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120804094208/http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1096374340433.shtml |date=2012-08-04 }} (German)</ref> **İmaç clan (Netherlands) *Kurdish mafia ''(see also {{section link|Kurdistan Workers' Party|Involvement in drug trafficking}})'' **Baybaşin Cartel<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cobain |first1=Ian |author-link1=Ian Cobain |last2=White |first2=Michael |author-link2=Michael White (journalist) |date=28 Mar 2006 |title=Heroin dealer was secret informer for Customs and Excise |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/mar/28/ukcrime.drugsandalcohol |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> **Cantürk gang **Ay gang **Majid gang **Rahimpur gang *Iranian organized crime ''(see also Jundallah and illegal activities of the IRGC)'' **Tahvili crime family<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/04/25/crime-binladen-guzman-biz-cz_nv_0425mostwanted_slide_11.html?thisSpeed=30000 |title=In Pictures: The World's 10 Most Wanted |work=Forbes |date=2008-04-25 |access-date=2012-02-19 |first=Nathan |last=Vardi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102205603/http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/25/crime-binladen-guzman-biz-cz_nv_0425mostwanted_slide_11.html?thisSpeed=30000 |archive-date=2012-11-02 }}</ref> *Lebanese mafia ''(see also Lebanese Civil War militias)'' **Levantine crime clans ***Miri-Clan ***Al-Zein Clan **Ibrahim clan
==Eurasia==
===Russia=== Although organized crime existed in the Soviet era, the gangs really gained in power and international reach during the transition to capitalism. The term Russian Mafia, 'mafiya' or mob is a blanket (and somewhat inaccurate) term for the various organized crime groups that emerged in this period from the 15 former republics of the USSR and unlike their Italian counterparts does not mean members are necessarily of Russian ethnicity or uphold any ancient criminal traditions, although this is the case for some members.
*Russian-Jewish mafia **Brighton Beach ***Agron gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="soviet">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/04/nyregion/soviet-emigre-mob-outgrows-brooklyn-and-fear-spreads.html?pagewanted=all |title=Soviet Emigre Mob Outgrows Brooklyn, and Fear Spreads |publisher=NY Times |date=1989-06-04 |access-date=2012-02-19 |first=Ralph |last=Blumenthal}}</ref> ***Nayfeld gang<ref name="soviet"/> ***Balagula gang<ref name="soviet"/> **Mogilevich organization<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="rusmafia"/> *Brothers' Circle (Existence is debatable) *Russian mafia ''(See also Lubyanka Criminal Group, Three Whales Corruption Scandal and Sergei Magnitsky)'' **Moscow ***Izmaylovskaya gang<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="rusmafia"/> ***Solntsevskaya bratva<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="rusmafia">Varese, Frederico (2005) ''The Russian mafia: private protection in a new market economy'', Oxford University Press, {{ISBN|0-19-927949-7}}</ref> ****New York branch<ref name="rusmafia"/> ***Orekhovskaya gang<ref name="rusmafia"/> **St Petersburg'' (See also Baltik-Eskort)'' ***Tambov Gang<ref name="rusmafia"/> **Togliatti mafia **Uralmash gang **Lazovsky gang **Vladivostok gang **Kurganskaya group **Tsapok gang **'Elephants' group **Kazan gang
===North Caucasia=== ''See also Caucasus Emirate''
*Chechen mafia<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="rusmafia"/> ''(See also Special Purpose Islamic Regiment and Kadyrovtsy)'' **Obschina<ref name="rusmafia"/> **Labazanov gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/>
===Georgia=== *Georgian mafia<ref name="rusmafia"/> ''(See also Mkhedrioni and Forest Brothers)'' **Kutaisi clan<ref name="rusmafia"/><ref name="river">{{cite news|last=Schwirtz |first=Michael |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/30/world/europe/30russia.html |title=The New York Times – In a River Raid, a glimpse of Russia's criminal elite |location=Russia |work=The New York Times |date=2008-07-30 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref> **Tbilisi clan<ref name="river"/> **21st Century Association
===Armenia=== *Armenian mafia<ref name="armenia">[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/10/16/ap/national/main6964280.shtml CBS News/Associated Press – Armenian Organized Crime Grows More Complex]{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> **Mirzoyan-Terdjanian organization<ref name="armenia"/> **Armenian Power<ref name="armenia"/>
===Azerbaijan=== *Azeri mafia **Janiev organization<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inmoscowsshadows.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/ded-dead-the-assassination-of-russian-crime-boss-aslan-usoyan-ded-khasan/|title=Ded Dead: the assassination of Russian crime boss Aslan Usoyan ('Ded Khasan')|date=16 January 2013|website=wordpress.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218072918/http://inmoscowsshadows.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/ded-dead-the-assassination-of-russian-crime-boss-aslan-usoyan-ded-khasan/|archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref>
==Europe==
===Sweden=== *Original Gangsters<ref name="sweden"/> *Fucked For Life<ref name="sweden"/> *Uppsalamaffian *Chosen Ones *Werewolf Legion *Asir *Vårvädersligan
===Netherlands=== *Organized crime in the Netherlands **Bruinsma drug gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> **Holleeder gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> **Moroccan mafia
===France=== *French Milieu ''(See also Service d'Action Civique)'' **Corsican mafia<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="triad"/><ref name="showbiz">Gayraud, Jean-François (2009) ''Showbiz, people et corruption'', Odile Jacob, {{ISBN|2-7381-2232-9}}</ref> ***Unione Corse<ref name="dea"/><ref name="drugs"/> ***Brise de Mer gang<ref name="showbiz"/> **Les Caïds Des Cités ***Faïd gang ***The Barbarians<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8145616.stm |title=French 'Barbarian' killer jailed |work=BBC News |date=2009-07-10 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref> **Wigs gang **North African Brigade ''(see also Carlingue)'' **Tractions Avant gang<ref>Charles Bacelon, Max Clos, etc. ''Histoire du banditisme et des grandes affaires criminelles'', Genève : éditions Famot, 1974. OCLC 77615747</ref> **Bande des Trois Canards **French gypsy gangs ***Hornec gang<ref name="showbiz"/>
===Greece=== *Greek mafia ===Ireland=== *Ireland **Dublin ***Cahill gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia">Newton, Michael (2007) ''Gangsters Encyclopedia'', Anova Books, {{ISBN|1-84340-402-8}}</ref><ref name="morton"/> ***Gilligan gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="morton"/> ***Foley gang ***Hyland gang ***Dunne gang ***The Westies **Limerick ***McCarthy-Dundon ***Keane-Collopy **Rathkeale Rovers **Kinahan Organised Crime Group
===Spain=== *Spain **Galician mafia **Romani clans ***El Clan De La Paca
===Poland=== *Poland ''(See also Group 13)'' **Pruszków mafia **Wołomin mafia
===Slovakia=== *Slovak mafia **Hungaro-Slovak mafia
===Hungary=== *Raffael clan *Sztojka clan
===Czech Republic=== *Mrázek organization *Krejčíř organization
===Italy=== *Sicilian Mafia<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="idiot"/><ref name="gomorra"/><ref name="global"/> **Sicilian Mafia Commission **Mandamenti ***''See also List of Sicilian Mafia clans'' ***Cuntrera-Caruana Mafia clan ***Inzerillo Mafia clan ***Corleonesi<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> ***Greco Mafia clan ***Motisi Mafia clan *'Ndrangheta<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="gomorra"/> *La Provincia **''See also List of 'ndrine'' **Honoured Society (Melbourne)<ref name="aussie">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10640465 |title=Aussie gang boss' death points to inside job |author=Ansley, Greg |date=April 24, 2010 |work=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223081850/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10640465 |archive-date=February 23, 2013 }}</ref> **Mammoliti 'ndrina **Bellocco 'ndrina **Cataldo 'ndrina **Commisso 'ndrina **Cordì 'ndrina **De Stefano 'ndrina **Pesce 'ndrina **Barbaro 'ndrina **Piromalli 'ndrina **Serraino 'ndrina **Siderno Group<ref name="canada"/> *Camorra<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="whitecollar"/><ref name="gomorra">Roberto Saviano (2006) ''Gomorrah: Italy's Other Mafia'', Mondadori, {{ISBN|88-04-55450-9}}.</ref> **Secondigliano Alliance ***Licciardi clan<ref name="gomorra"/> ***Contini clan<ref name="gomorra"/> ***Lo Russo clan<ref name="gomorra"/> ***Mallardo clan<ref name="gomorra"/> **Di Lauro Clan<ref name="gomorra"/> **Casalesi clan<ref name="gomorra"/> **Fabbrocino clan<ref name="gomorra"/> **Vollaro clan<ref name="gomorra"/> **Scissionisti di Secondigliano<ref name="gomorra"/> **La Torre clan<ref name="gomorra"/> **Polverino clan **Rinaldi clan **De Luca Bossa clan **Aprea-Cuccaro clan **Cesarano clan **Puca clan *Sacra Corona Unita<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="gomorra"/> *Società foggiana<ref>{{Cite web|title=Come la Società Foggiana è diventata la mafia più brutale e sanguinosa d'Italia|url=https://www.vice.com/it/article/societa-foggiana-mafia-italia/|last=Civillini|first=Matteo|date=2016-03-21|website=Vice|language=it|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The forgotten Foggian mafia strikes terror in southern Italy|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/english/varios/the-forgotten-foggian-mafia-strikes-terror-in-southern-italy/50000269-3349707|website=www.efe.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref> *Stidda<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> *Mala del Brenta<ref name="gomorra"/> *Banda della Magliana<ref>{{cite news |author=Nick Squires |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7872855/Mafia-gangster-tomb-reopened-to-solve-30-year-old-mystery.html |title=Mafia gangster tomb reopened to solve 30-year-old mystery |publisher=The Telegraph |date=2010-07-05 |access-date=2012-02-19 |location=London |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526030036/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7872855/Mafia-gangster-tomb-reopened-to-solve-30-year-old-mystery.html |archive-date=2012-05-26 }}</ref> *Mafia Capitale *Sinti Casamonica clan *Clan Spada di Ostia *Milanese gangs **Banda della Comasina<ref>Cristiano Armati, ''Italia criminale. Personaggi, fatti e avvenimenti di un'Italia violenta'', Newton Compton Editori, 2006 {{ISBN|978-88-541-1083-0}}</ref> **Turatello crew
===Balkans=== Balkan organized crime gained prominence in the chaos following the communist era, notably the transition to capitalism and the wars in former Yugoslavia.
*Albanian mafia<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gomorra"/> **Kosovan mafia **Albania ***Gang of Çole ***Gang of Gaxhai ***Gang of Pusi i Mezinit ***Lazarat marijuana growers **Rudaj Organization<ref>[https://www.fbi.gov/page2/march06/albanian032906.htm FBI – Cases – Not your average syndicate] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615222119/https://www.fbi.gov/page2/march06/albanian032906.htm |date=June 15, 2010 }}</ref> (New York City) ** Gang of Ismail Lika **Dobroshi gang<ref>[http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article957817.ece Aftenposten – Princ Dobroshi satt fri] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113195436/http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article957817.ece |date=2010-01-13 }} (Norwegian)</ref> (International) **Naserligan<ref name="sweden">[https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/ligorna-har-kopplat-greppet-om-sverige/ Dagens Nyheter – Ligorna har kopplat greppet om Sverige] (Swedish)</ref> (Sweden) **K-Falangen (Sweden) *Bosnian mafia<ref name="traffic"/> **Prazina gang<ref name="global">Siegel, Dina (2003) ''Global organized crime: trends and developments'', Springer, {{ISBN|1-4020-1818-5}}</ref> **Bajramović gang **Delalić gang **M-Falangen (Sweden) **Dino and Tito Cartel<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tallant |first=Nicola |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BZAzEQAAQBAJ |title=Cocaine Cowboys |date=July 25, 2024 |publisher=Mango Media |isbn=978-1-68481-654-5 }}</ref> *Bulgarian mafia<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> ''(see also Multigroup)'' **VIS<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> **SIC **Karamanski gang **TIM **Naglite **Rashkov clan *Serbian mafia<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/> **Arkan clan<ref name="mcmafia"/><ref name="global"/> **Zemun Clan<ref name="mcmafia"/> **Joca Amsterdam gang **Magaš clan **Giška gang **Pink Panthers<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10974366 |title=BBC News – 'Pink Panther' Tokyo heist suspect extradited to Japan |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2010-08-14 |access-date=2012-02-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222211256/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10974366 |archive-date=2012-02-22 }}</ref> **Serb mafia in Scandinavia ***Kotur mob ***Yugoslav Brotherhood *Montenegrin mafia<ref name="traffic"/><ref name="mcmafia"/> ''(see also allegations of Milo Đukanović's involvement in cigarette smuggling)'' *Romanian mafia **Băhăian organisation
===Great Britain=== {{See also|Irish Republican Army (disambiguation)|Ulster loyalism#Paramilitary and vigilante groups}} *London **Adams crime family<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="london">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/focus-my-gun-drives-fear-into-people--once-you-got-money-and-a-gun-you-got-power-580639.html|title=US|website=independent.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123024121/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/focus-my-gun-drives-fear-into-people--once-you-got-money-and-a-gun-you-got-power-580639.html|archive-date=2009-01-23}}</ref> **The Richardson Gang<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="morton">Morton, James ''Gangland Volume 2: The Underworld in Britain and Ireland'', 1995, {{ISBN|978-0-7515-1406-3}}</ref><ref name="villain"/> **The Firm<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="morton"/><ref name="villain"/> **The Syndicate **Comer gang **Buttmarsh Boys **Interwar era mobs ***Messina Brothers<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="morton"/><ref name="villain"/> ***Sabini syndicate<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="morton"/><ref name="villain">Thomas, Donald (2006) ''Villains' paradise: a history of Britain's underworld'', Pegasus Books, {{ISBN|1-933648-17-1}}</ref> ***Hoxton Gang<ref name="morton"/><ref name="villain"/> ***Elephant and Castle Mob<ref name="morton"/><ref name="villain"/> ***Birmingham Boys<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="villain"/> *Essex Boys *Manchester **Quality Street Gang<ref name="morton"/> **Noonan firm<ref name="morton"/> **Cheetham Hillbillies **The Gooch Close Gang *Liverpool **Curtis Warren's drug empire<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> **Whitney gang *Aggi Crew<ref name="london"/> *Glasgow **McGraw firm<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/> **Thompson firm<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="morton"/> **Delta Crime Syndicate *Bestwood Cartel
===Ukraine=== *Ukrainian mafia **Donetsk Clan **Salem gang
===Lithuania=== *Lithuanian mafia **Vilnius Brigade<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D04E0D81431F936A25752C1A962958260 |title=NY Times - Lithuanians Close A Nuclear Reactor After 3 Threats |work=The New York Times |date=1994-11-15 |access-date=2012-02-19}}</ref>
===Estonia=== *Estonian mafia/Obtshak **Linnuvabriku group
===Transnistria=== *Transnistrian mafia
==Australia== {{See also|Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union|Nugan Hand Bank}} *Sydney **5T gang<ref name="smack">Small, Clive & Gilling, Tom (2010) ''Smack Express: How Organized Crime Got Hooked on Drugs'', Allen & Unwin, {{ISBN|1-74237-208-2}}</ref> (1985–1999) **Freeman gang (defunct) **Lenny's gang (1960s) **Mr Sin's gang **Razor gangs<ref>Writer, Larry (2009) ''Razor: Tilly Devine, Kate Leigh and the Razor Gangs'' Pan Macmillan Australia Pty, {{ISBN|1-4050-3951-5}}</ref> (1920s) *Melbourne **Carlton Crew<ref name="gangstersencyclopedia"/><ref name="aussie"/> **Moran family<ref name="aussie"/> **Williams family<ref name="aussie"/> **Pettingill family **Richmond gang *Perth **Salvator cartel<ref>{{cite web|title=The Aussie gangster behind one of the world's biggest drug cartels,after eliminating his leader, he continued in the business and has built his empire.|publisher=Courier Mail|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/special-features/in-depth/the-aussie-gangsters-behind-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-drug-cartels/news-story/d5ca8405c99f0036a76e2d4253d88dee}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yZhRLwEACAAJ | title=Blood, Death, Drugs and Sex in Old Mexico | publisher=Createspace Independent Pub | author=Aire, Jose Gutierrez | year=2012| isbn=978-1477592274}} * [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/ "Drug Wars"]. ''Frontline''. 2006. PBS. *{{cite journal |last1=Holmes |first1=Jennifer S. |last2=Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres |first2=Sheila |last3=Curtin |first3=Kevin M. |title=Drugs, Violence, and Development in Colombia: A Department-Level Analysis |journal=Latin American Politics and Society |date=2006 |volume=48 |issue=3 |pages=157–184 |id={{ProQuest|200275766}} |doi=10.1111/j.1548-2456.2006.tb00359.x |s2cid=198824953 }}
==External links== {{Commons category|Drug cartels}} *[http://www.worldpress.org/Americas/2549.cfm "Mexico: Drug Cartels a Growing Threat"]{{snd}}Worldpress, 2006
{{Gangs}}
Category:Drug cartels Category:Illegal drug trade Category:Organized crime groups Category:Organized crime terminology Category:Smuggling Category:Transnational organized crime