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In most of the most striking narratives of popular culture, we encounter the figure of the mafia. The organized crime organization called the mafia looks cool from the outside because it has rules within itself, but its inner world is extremely dark and dangerous for everyone. Let’s see what the real mafia is, when it emerged, how these criminals make money, in all details.
As soon as we saw the title, of course, we all thought of The Godfather series, in which the novel by Mario Puzo was adapted to the cinema by Francis Ford Coppola. But when it comes to the mafia, the examples are countless because this organized crime organization is frequently used not only in the world of movies and TV series, but also in the world of books and games. The reason why the mafia figure is so loved is that it has its own rules.
Even though we call everyone who wears a gun and cuts a lacon as mafia today, in fact, the real mafia is a structure created by Italians. Moreover, when it was first established, the purpose of these people was not to engage in illegal activities, but only to protect their families and themselves. Of course, time passed, the mafia got stronger and what happened. Let’s examine the questions like what is the mafia, when did it appear, how does it make money, what does it do, in all details.
Which is the most dangerous mafia in the world? The 10 most powerful mafia in the world! Top 10 most powerful organized crime groups! Everything you need to know about mafia! Top 10 biggest and most dangerous crime organizations in the world! The 10 most powerful mafias in the world! Biggest mafia organizations in the world!
What is the mafia?
The real mafia arose in Sicily in the middle of the 19th century. Since Sicily is an island between North Africa and Italy, it has been occupied by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, French, Spaniards and many other states that come to mind throughout history. Over time, the local population developed a self-protection mechanism.
The literal meaning of the mafia is to act as a protector against the arrogant powerful. Even though Sicilian families have been armed to protect themselves throughout history, we definitely encounter the concept of mafia for the first time in the 1860s. Sicilians who were in prison during this period were maintaining a certain hierarchy among themselves according to the mafia families they belonged to.
The mafia managed to survive against the Italian government!
Sicily, if it were an independent structure, became a province of Italy in 1861. But the Italian government was shocked because there was complete chaos on the island. In the 1870s, an agreement was made between the Italian government and the mafia. According to this agreement, the mafia families would eliminate the stray criminal organizations on the island and the government would provide certain support to the mafia.
Is it possible to enter the same sack with the devil? The mafia really kept its promise to the government, but the work of small gangs started to gather in the hands of the mafia this time. So much so that Sicily was now being asked of mafia families. Of course, the mafia did not fail to use this great power on politicians.
Even Mussolini couldn’t finish the mafia!
The power of the mafia had increased in the 20th century. They took secret oaths of loyalty among themselves, held initiation ceremonies, and promised never to cooperate with the government or the authorities. Especially this period is the period when the mafia set certain rules and still, for some reason, the beloved sublime atmosphere is gained.
Then the government changes in Italy and the fascist Benito Mussolini comes to power. As we explained in our article here before, in the fascist regime, every power that opposes the state is crushed. The mafia also gets its share from this crush and waits in a corner for many years. Of course, after the Second World War, things turn in favor of the mafia.
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What does the mafia, which heals the wounds of Italy, do, how does it make money?
After the Second World War, Italy was in shambles and the state machinery was in disrepair. In the 1950s, the mafia, which was already a power coming from within the people, re-emerged and became the number one controller of the construction sector and then other sectors. When we came to the 1970s, the criminal empire in the hands of the mafia had expanded incredibly.
The biggest power of the mafia at that time was drugs. In addition, the mafia was in the hands of the mafia, where it would not be nice to write the details, such as the smuggling of all kinds of substances and the trade of all kinds of illegal substances. Worse still, the mafia was declaring its autonomy wherever it was, as it was doing what the law and law enforcement were supposed to do, knowing its duty. It didn’t take long for him to cross the borders.
The mafia is making an entrance into America like a bomb!
As those who watch The Godfather series know very well, some Sicilians immigrated to the United States in the first years of the 20th century and established some minority neighborhoods there. Just like in its early years, the mafia was first established here to protect itself. Then the Sicilian wind started to blow on the streets of America.
After the US government outlawed alcohol in the 1920s, the mafia became the number one controller of bootlegging. When we came to the 1950s, the mafia began to largely control all kinds of illegal activities in the country. Of course, thanks to this illegal power, he intervened in the public, business world, politicians and even the legal world.
Is there still a mafia?
In the 1980s, the Italian and US government began to take strict measures against mafia families. With the enacted laws, the mafia and the public officials it controlled were largely cleared. Thanks to this strong struggle that continued in the 1990s, when we came to the 21st century, there was no such thing as the mafia.
How so, no mafia? It should be said that as long as the Sicilians live, the mafia will continue to survive. Because the concept we call mafia is much more than an organized crime organization. As a kind of tradition of the Sicilians, who have always been culturally independent even though they are officially affiliated with Italy, the mafia still exists even if it has weakened, and if it catches a small management vacuum, we fear it will become stronger again.
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The 10 Most Powerful Mafia in the World
1. Italian Mafia
Number one on the list, of course, is the Italian Mafia. They were once kings. Everyone thinks they are gone. However, while they were getting rid of simple jobs and getting legalized, they entered the financial sector without being noticed. There is this ‘Tie Mafia’ in the backdoor dealings of the finance, government and consulting industries in New York today.
It is the mafia from Sicily, which is often the subject of movies. Its effects are great in America and Europe. They describe themselves as a family, not a gang. There are approximately 5,000 members of the organization within more than 180 mafia families. Its activities are carried out in the city of Naples. The most common activities; is to raise money from retailers, competitors, entrepreneurs and businessmen.
2. Russian Mafia
The Russian mafia “Organiztsya”, which doubled its business volume to hundreds and thousands after the fall of the Berlin wall, is in the second place of our list. Its illegal domination has been proven all over Europe, even in Africa and overseas. It ranks first among organized organizations with an annual turnover of 200 billion dollars. The most important fields of activity of the Russian organized crime groups, which have 114 thousand active members and 3 million supporters; Theft of antiques and their smuggling to the west constitutes prostitution, auto smuggling, arms trade, and drug smuggling.
3. Chinese Mafia
The 3rd place Chinese Mafia work area is the largest mafia. The Chinese Triads are organized in the cities of Amsterdam, London, Manchester, New York, and San Francisco, and wherever Chinese communities exist. They do business in the fields of theft, murder, kidnapping, drugs, trafficking in women. The number of members is quite large.
4. Japanese Yakuza
The world’s proudest mafia is at the 4th position of the list. Yakuza cut off their pinky when they make a mistake. It symbolizes loyalty and forgiveness. Tattoos are also very important to the Yakuza. Illegal immigration, arms and drug trade, trafficking in women are among the main jobs. Yakuza are often the secret people behind the heads of cities, and they have the real administration.
5. Albanian Mafia
Their horn is beeping in Europe right now. They are ruthless under the influence of war psychology. Its fields of activity are illegal subjects such as assassination, drugs, money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, forgery and blackmail.
6. Colombian Cartels
Colombian Cartels, which are in the 6th place of the list, operate in South America and the USA. They lived their golden age during the Escobar period. They have a fierce rivalry with the Mexicans. Their main occupations are drug, coffee and emerald smuggling. Football mafias are also advanced. They killed Escobar, who scored an own goal in the 94th World Cup, in Colombia.
7. Mexican Cartel Mafia
The Mexicans, the largest prison gang in the US, are 7th on our list. Drugs and trafficking in women are the main business areas. It has about 30,000 members. Each mafia has different types of tattoos. They are known for their brutal and bloody actions. The enmity with the Colombian Cartels is so much that it is the subject of movies.
8. Serbian Mafia
Brutal big guys and 8th on our list. They operate in Germany, England, France and America. In addition to drugs, they also dealt with smuggling, kidnapping and gambling. They consist of three large families named Vozdovac, Surcin and Zemun. They are in competition with the Albanian Mafia in Europe.
9. The Chechen Mafia
The Chechen Mafias at number 9 are notorious for their brutality. At first they worked with retired special forces, police and army officers. Afterwards, the Chechen Mafia was dealt major blows by the Russian-Slavic mafia gangs, the Police and the KGB. Many gang members went to Chechnya. Allegations that the Chechen mafia is linked to al-Qaeda and the Taliban have emerged recently, with links to well-known Chechen leaders, radical religious organizations and mafia bosses.
10. Israeli Mafia
Number 10 on the list is the Israeli Mafia. It is a mafia that has spread to many parts of the world. Their difference from other mafias is that they are in contact with the governments of the countries. Especially the organizations of Russian Jews are very dangerous and powerful.
