How major gangs actually operate

 

Understanding how various gangs and mafias operate provides valuable insight into their organizational structures, activities, and cultural influences. Here's a summary of insights shared by individuals with firsthand experience in different criminal organizations:

1. Crips (Tyrone White): White discusses his experience as a member of the 65 Menlo Gangster faction of the Crips in South Central Los Angeles. He sheds light on the gang's culture, including its rivalry with the Bloods, money-making activities, and the significance of clothing and music.

2. Latin Kings (Andy "Rebirth" Pellerano): Pellerano shares his perspective as a former soldier for the Almighty Latin King Nation in New Orleans. He discusses the gang's involvement in drug-trafficking networks, robbery, and extortion. Pellerano has since become an evangelical minister and musician.

3. MS-13 (Alex Sanchez): Sanchez, a former high-ranking member of MS-13, provides insights into the gang's operations, including tattooing, rules and codes, media perception, and political language used to depict the gang.

4. London Gangs (Omar Sharif): Sharif reflects on his involvement in gang activity in London, discussing county lines, gang colors, and language. He has transitioned into motivational speaking, life coaching, and youth work.

5. Italian Mafia (John Pennisi): Pennisi shares his experiences as an associate of the Gambino family and later as a made member of the Lucchese crime family. He discusses his decision to leave the mob after false accusations and provides insights into the inner workings of organized crime.

6. Hells Angels (Jay Dobyns): Dobyns, a retired ATF agent, offers insights from his undercover experience with the Hells Angels. He discusses the gang's involvement in weapons and narcotics trafficking, as well as his recognition for his work as an ATF agent.

7. Triads (Jimmy Tsui): Tsui provides insights into the Sun Yee On triad in Hong Kong, discussing money-making activities such as extortion and protection rackets, initiation ceremonies, and rules of membership.

8. Chinatown Gangs (Mike Moy): Moy shares his experiences as a former gang member in New York City's Chinatown, discussing activities like gambling houses, counterfeit money, gunrunning, and credit-card fraud. He later joined the NYPD and founded the YouTube channel Chinatown Gang Stories.

9. Yakuza (Yuyama Shinya): Shinya, a former member of the yakuza in Japan, discusses the organization's money-making methods, initiation ceremonies, rules of membership, and connections to other criminal groups like the triads and Russian organized crime.

These firsthand accounts provide valuable insights into the inner workings and cultural influences of various criminal organizations, shedding light on their activities, structures, and impact on society.