Compiled by Nmerichukwu Igweamaka (@kvngnoi)

Gangs has been in existence since the struggle of man to survive. Over the years it has evolved from harmless gathering of a group of people to deadly and notorious groups. With various activities and ritual practices plunged in sacred beliefs and code of conducts.

This list will take you on a journey through the most violent gangs in the criminal underworld led by some of the most powerful gangsters, the gangs, mafias and crime rings on this list will leave you shaking in your boots.

Mara Salvatrucha Ms-13

Mara Salvatrucha Ms-

Mara Salvatrucha (MS ), also known as MS-13 (the 13 representing their Sureño affiliation), is an international criminal gang that originated in Los Angeles, California , in the 1980s. With more than 70,000 members, the Mara Salvatrucha, are the most dangerous gang in the world.

They don’t care about their victims and have murdered women and children. They even take part in contract killings. Members of MS are characterized by tattoos covering the body, including the face, and by the use of their own sign language .

They are notorious for their violence and a subcultural moral code based on merciless retribution.

Crips

Crips

The Crips, also known as Original Crip Homies (OCH ), are a gang based in the coastal regions of southern California . They were founded in Los Angeles, California in 1969 mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams.

The Crips are one of the largest and most violent associations of street gangs in the United States. With an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 members in 2008, they have been involved in murders, robberies and drug dealing, among other crimes.

The Crips have a long and bitter rivalry with the Bloods. Third most dangerous on the list.

Bloods

Bloods

The bitter rivals of the Crips, the Bloods sport the appropriate color of red. Started as a club in 1972, this Los Angeles gang grew into one of the most dangerous groups in the country and the world. With crimes that includes drug trafficking, robbery, murder, burglary, prostitution, theft extortion.

Bloods members identify themselves through various gang indicators such as colors, clothing, symbols, tattoos, jewelry, graffiti, language, and hand signs. The Bloods gang color is red.

The most commonly used Bloods symbols include the number “5”, the five pointed star, and the five pointed crown. These symbols are meant to show the Bloods’ affiliation with the

People Nation , a large coalition of affiliates created to protect alliance members within the federal and state prison systems. These symbols may be seen in the tattoos, jewelry, and clothing that gang members wear as well as in gang graffiti, which is used by the Bloods to mark their territory.

18th street gang

118th Street gang

Arch-rivals to MS-13, Barrio 18 has an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 members across 20 US states and is linked to  murder, kidnappings and drug dealing, burglary, assault, extortion, prostitution, human trafficking, homicide other violent crime from Central America to Canada.

‘With thousands of members across hundreds of kilometers, and interests in a number of different illicit activities, Barrio 18 is one of the more significant emerging criminal threats in the region,’

They even have a practice called the “18 seconds beating” rule that involves members attacking their fellow followers for a short, but painful amount of time.

Cosa Nostra 

The Sicilian Mafia , also known as simply the Mafia and frequently referred to by members as Cosa Nostra (Italian pronunciation: [ˈkɔza ˈnɔstra] ;

our thing ), is a Mafia – terrorist -type [1]

organized crime syndicate based in

Sicily, Italy.

This Italian phrase translates to “our thing” in English. Cosa Nostra is the Sicilian Mafia, with roots dating back to the early days of New York City’s lower east side (Think “The Godfather” trilogy). According to reports, they have around 25,000 members, with 250,000 “affiliates” around the world. Their crimes varies from Racketeering to drug trafficking, murder,

contract killings , extortion, intimidation, bid rigging, loansharking, assault, smuggling, political corruption , illegal gambling, prostitution , art theft , money laundering, firearm trafficking , vote rigging, political bribery, fraud, fencing , kidnapping and armed robbery.

Los zetas

This Mexican cartel controlled most of the country with plenty of contacts in the United States as well. Los Zetas is a Mexican

criminal syndicate ,  regarded as the most dangerous of the country’s

drug cartels. While primarily concerned with drug trafficking , the organization also runs profitable sex trafficking and gun running rackets.  The origins of Los Zetas date back to the late 1990s, when commandos of the Mexican Army deserted their ranks and began working as the enforcement arm of the Gulf Cartel. They’re more powerful than El Chapo’s cartel, by the way.

 Aryan Brotherhood

Aryan Brotherhood

Also known as The Brand, the AB, or the One-Two. They are responsible for 1/4 of prison murders in the United States. If you want to be a member, you should kill someone they wanted. They have about 20,000 members in and out of prison in the United States.

Latin Kings

Latin Kings

They are the best organized latin gang in the world. Latin Kings street gang was formed in Chicago in the 1940s. At first members were mostly Puerto Rican. But today gang is dominated by Mexicans. Although they aren’t as violent as many of the other gangs they do engage in a fair share of illegal money making activities including contract killings.

They’ve been around since the 1940s and are comprised mainly of Mexicans, though they started as a predominately Puerto Rican organization. Stemming from Chicago, The Latin Kings are the most organized of the Latin gangs.

Yakuza

Yakuza

This Japanese organization is known for striking fear all around the world, and running their country with an iron fist. Members have to cut all ties with friends and family to prove their loyalty to their bosses. Murdering is their thing.

 Wah Ching

wah cHING

They are Chinese gang and also known as ‘’Dub C’’ which is founded in San Francisco during the early 1960s. Wah Ching is composed mainly of young men. Most of their operations are focused around money laundering and financial crimes in Los Angeles and eastern Asia. And for real they are good at making money.