In this article, we will take a look at the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US.
The term “gang” possesses two distinct connotations that enhance its practical significance. First and foremost, it implies a common attribute of gangs, which is their conspicuous street presence. Street-level socialization is a defining characteristic of gangs. Secondly, this term is closely tied to “street crimes,” denoting severe and violent offenses that frequently take place in public spaces. These transgressions often cause apprehension among residents, eroding informal social control mechanisms within a certain community.
Gangs are displaying growing sophistication, moving away from high-risk endeavors such as drug trade and arms trafficking. Today, these gangs are shifting their focus towards operations with reduced visibility and detection rates, such as human trafficking and white-collar crime. This shift is making the prosecution of gang-related crimes more challenging than ever. Gangs are also showing an alarming tendency to infiltrate law enforcement and military establishments to gather intelligence on rival groups and counter-crime initiatives. What’s even more concerning is the increasing access these gangs have to high-powered military-grade weaponry and equipment for their illicit pursuits.
It is an undeniable fact that the gang issue has evolved and entrenched itself over the past quarter-century. Media coverage tends to focus on regions where gang violence is on the rise, at times inadvertently fostering the perception of a widespread and ongoing escalation. However, a sudden spike in gang activity, particularly violent incidents in a specific area, does not necessarily signal an impending increase at the citywide, regional, statewide, or national level. Essentially, gang activity exhibits localized characteristics and follows cyclical patterns of fluctuations. Gang violence can be best understood as part of a recurring cycle, driven by the ever-shifting and volatile dynamics of conflict, rivalry, and competition among local gangs. For instance, after a period of relative calm, a triggering event, such as one gang encroaching on a rival gang’s turf, often leads to a violent incident, potentially prompting retaliation, and so forth. The localized nature of these cyclical patterns is the primary explanation for gang-related crime and violence across the United States. At any given moment, each city grappling with a gang issue, and each neighborhood within larger cities facing gang-related challenges is at its distinct point in the cycle of gang violence.
The United States harbors a diverse array of criminal groups and organizations, spanning from prison gangs and extortion operations to neo-Nazi entities. Although these groups may not always occupy the spotlight, they remain a persistent security concern for the country. Throughout the United States, the gang issue has undergone substantial changes over the years, marked by an increase in the number of gangs and gang members, the prevalence and use of firearms, and the establishment of a persistent, enduring gang presence in major U.S. cities, despite continuous turnover in membership. These trends provide reliable insights that can be used to characterize the overall gang issue. More recently, the involvement of one or a few gangs in criminal activities considered atypical for street gangs has garnered national attention. Recent instances encompass white-collar crimes, human trafficking, the operation of prostitution rings, penetration of governmental and criminal justice agencies, utilization of social networking sites and other online platforms for coordinating criminal actions, and association with domestic extremist groups.
While acknowledging the emergence and evolution of gangs’ criminal behaviors is essential, it is equally crucial to refrain from making sweeping generalizations about these trends, as though they are representative of most gangs across the United States. Without the support of credible and rigorous evidence collected over time, it would be imprudent to assume that the discovered involvement of a single gang or a few gangs in a particular criminal activity represents an emerging trend applicable to all gangs.
pio3/Shutterstock.com
Our Methodology
While compiling our top roster of the list of gangs in the United States, we engaged in comprehensive research, sourcing information from a variety of reliable and diverse references. Our initial phase entailed the identification of over 30 gangs mentioned in these references. Whenever a gang was mentioned with precise metrics related to its size, impact in terms of notoriety, and illicit engagements, we organized this information and assigned relevant points. Through this meticulous data analysis, we arrived at our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in America.
25 Most Dangerous Gangs in the US
25. Sureños (Sur 13)
Also referred to as South Siders or Southern Mexicans, and at times identified as Southern United Raza (SUR), this gang was initially established by the Mexican Mafia prison gang. Their objective was to introduce a degree of order and cooperation among neighborhood gangs that had been embroiled in generations-long conflicts. The idea behind this alliance was to strengthen and empower these neighborhoods collectively. On the East Coast, Sureno gangs came under significant scrutiny in the late 1990s. Since then, law enforcement authorities in that area have been observing a noticeable increase in the population of Sureno gangs, with the two largest groups being Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street.
24. Almighty Vice Lord Nation
The Almighty Vice Lord Nation ranks 24th in our list of the most dangerous gangs in the US. In 1957, the establishment of the Vice Lords organization can be traced back to individuals like Bobby Gore, Bryan J. Reddix, Tony Reddix, and a group of African-American youths who had originally migrated from Mississippi to settle in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. The choice of the name “Vice Lords” was symbolic, representing the concept of “having a tight hold.”
23. Nazi Lowriders
Ranking 23rd in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US is the Nazi Lowriders. The NLR, which stands for the Nazi Lowriders, originated in the late 1970s under the leadership of John Stinson, a white supremacist, during his time as an inmate in a California Youth Authority prison. Initially, a limited number of Latinos were permitted to join, and they played prominent roles in the gang’s drug trafficking activities, both within and outside prison settings. Over recent years, the influence of the NLR has expanded beyond the California Youth Authority into the adult prison systems of California and several other states.
22. Public Enemy No. 1
Public Enemy No. 1, also known as PENI Death Squad or PDS, is a gang originating in Long Beach, California, and currently headquartered in Orange County, California. In 2004, the California Department of Justice characterized PENI as among the most influential and rapidly expanding gangs both within correctional facilities and in the outside world. Their reported membership at the time numbered around 200 members throughout the state of California. The gang primarily engages in activities such as identity theft, credit card fraud, and the distribution of methamphetamine.
21. Gangster Disciples
Ranking 21st in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US is the Gangster Disciples. The Gangster Disciple is an African-American street and prison gang established in 1968 by Larry Hoover and David Barksdale. These two rival gang leaders joined forces to create the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. The primary revenue source for the Gangster Disciples comes from the street-level sale of cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. In addition to drug trafficking, this gang is involved in various criminal activities, including assault, auto theft, fraud, homicide, and money laundering.
20. Nuestra Familia
The Nuestra Familia ranks 20th in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US. Nuestra Familia is a criminal syndicate formed by Mexican-American prison gangs with its roots in Northern California. Rural Mexican inmates established this organization as a defensive measure against the ‘Mexican Mafia,’ which primarily consisted of urban Mexican inmates. Over time, the group has effectively extended its reach beyond prison walls and has become engaged in typical organized crime activities.
19. Outlaws Motorcycle Club
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club, officially incorporated as the American Outlaws Association or A.O.A., is a global outlaw motorcycle club. Established in McCook, Illinois, in 1935, the Outlaws MC holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest outlaw biker club. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the club is alleged to be engaged in organized criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering, running prostitution rings, trafficking weapons, and committing violent acts against rival clubs.
18. Simon City Royals
The Simon City Royals ranks 18th in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US. The Simon City Royals, alternatively known as the Almighty Simon City Royal Nation, originated in Chicago in 1952 as a greaser gang called Simon City. While predominantly composed of white members, the gang has also seen an increase in Latin American and African American members. Notably, in March 2022, 21 individuals believed to be associated with the gang were charged under the RICO law in the U.S.
17. Los Aztecas
Barrio Azteca, also known as Los Aztecas, is a Mexican-American street and prison gang that initially originated in El Paso, Texas, USA, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The Los Aztecas are a highly proud Mexican/Latino street gang known for their influence over areas such as El Corona, Little Mexico, and Unity Station.
16. Florencia 13
Ranking 16th in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US is the Florencia 13. The Florencia 13, alternatively referred to as South Side Florencia 13, Florence Gang, or F13, is an American street gang with criminal activities based in Los Angeles, California. The gang primarily consists of Mexican-Americans. According to reports from The Los Angeles Times, F13 was established in South Los Angeles during the 1950s and is significantly influenced by the Mexican Mafia prison gang. The Mexican Mafia is comprised mainly of around 140 individuals, with the majority of them being incarcerated.
15. Mongols Motorcycle Club
The Mongols secured the 15th spot on our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US. The Mongols Motorcycle Club, alternatively known as the Mongol Brotherhood or Mongol Nation, is a global outlaw motorcycle club. It was initially established in Montebello, California, in 1969. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in multiple countries worldwide categorize the Mongols Motorcycle Club as a motorcycle gang.
14. Almighty Black P. Stone Nation
The Almighty Black P. Stone Nation is a street gang with its origins in Chicago. It was initially established in the late 1950s under the name Blackstone Rangers. The transformation of the Almighty Black P Stone Nation is a remarkable story, where a diverse group of poor teenagers evolved into a prominent gang.
13. Wah Ching
Ranking 13th in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US is the Wah Ching gang. Wah Ching, which translates to Chinese Youth, is a Chinese-American criminal organization and street gang that was established in San Francisco, California in 1964. According to a 1995 report on organized crime by the California Department of Justice, the Wah Ching, with over 1,800 members, is considered the largest Chinese criminal group in the Los Angeles area.
12. Mexican Mafia (La Eme)
La Eme is a loosely organized criminal entity with stringent regulations that must be adhered to by its approximately 350 to 400 members. The majority of La Eme’s members are individuals of Mexican-American descent who have previously been associated with street gangs in Southern California. The Mexican Mafia or La Eme is considered as one of the most dangerous mafias in the world.
11. Simon City Royals
The Simon City Royals also recognized as the Almighty Simon City Royal Nation, originated as a greaser gang in Chicago in 1952. Presently, their membership primarily comprises individuals of white descent, although they also include many members of Latin American and African American backgrounds. Notably, in March 2022, law enforcement charged 21 individuals associated with this gang under the RICO law in the United States.
10. Black Guerrilla Family
The top 10 most dangerous gang in our list is the Black Guerilla Family. The Black Guerrilla Family, which is both an African-American black power prison/street gang and a political organization, is characterized by a well-defined national charter, a code of ethics, and an oath of allegiance. The Black Guerrilla Family’s activities are predominantly concentrated in California and Maryland, and the organization is estimated to consist of around 100 to 300 members, with the majority being African-American males.
9. Texas Syndicate
The Texas Syndicate is a street and prison gang primarily rooted in Texas, comprising mainly Mexican-American members. The gang’s origins trace back to the early 1970s when it emerged in the California prison system in response to the predation of native Texan inmates by other prison gangs. These Texan offenders united for protection and swiftly gained a formidable reputation as one of the most feared prison gangs in the California prison system.
8. La Cosa Nostra
The Sicilian Mafia or Cosa Nostra, also called simply as the Mafia is a criminal society and criminal organization operating on the island of Sicily since the 19th century. While the Mafia may no longer possess the robust national presence and influence it once had, it remains a significant threat in the New York metropolitan area, New England, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit.
7. Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club
Ranking 7th in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US is the Hell’s Angels. The Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club, an international outlaw motorcycle club whose members commonly ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles, is engaged in the manufacturing, shipping, and dispersal of substances such as marijuana and methamphetamine. Furthermore, the Hells Angels are implicated in the transportation and distribution of various drugs, including cocaine, hashish, heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide, ecstasy, phencyclidine, and diverted pharmaceuticals.
6. Latin Kings
The Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation stands as one of the world’s largest street and prison gangs among Caribbean and Latino communities. In some Latin King chapters, female associates, often referred to as Latin Queens, are also involved. These Latin King chapters have a nationwide presence, with an estimated 25,000 to 50,000 members residing in 34 states. According to Chicago police estimates, the Chicago area alone is home to nearly 25,000 Latin King members.
5. Aryan Brotherhood
The Aryan Brotherhood, also recognized as the Brand or the AB, operates as a neo-Nazi prison gang and organized crime syndicate in the United States, boasting an estimated 15,000–20,000 members, both incarcerated and outside of prisons. Established in 1964 by Irish bikers with the initial intent of safeguarding white inmates in newly desegregated correctional facilities, the AB has evolved into the largest and most formidable prison gang in the United States.
dreamerve/Shutterstock.com
4. 18th Street Gang
Ranking 4th in our list of the 25 most dangerous gangs in the US is the 18th Street Gang. The 18th Street gang is involved in an array of criminal activities, encompassing assault, robbery, kidnapping, homicide, and the illicit trade of firearms. Notably, this gang is characterized by its extreme level of violence, as members are obligated to carry out acts of violence to advance the gang’s objectives. The 18th Street gang maintains a presence in 44 cities across 20 U.S. states, and it also extends its operations internationally.