How 9 gangs and Mafias actually work — from the Crips to the Hells Angels
Tyrone White was a member of the 65 Menlo Gangster faction of the Crips gang in South Central Los Angeles during the late '80s and '90s, witnessing police brutality and the LA riots. White speaks with Business Insider about the culture of the Crips and the rivalry with the Bloods. He talks about money-making activities, clothing, and music.
Andy "Rebirth" Pellerano is a former soldier for the Almighty Latin King Nation, or Latin Kings. Pellerano discusses gang life in New Orleans, where the gang spread from its home base in Chicago. He discusses drug-trafficking networks, robbery, and extortion. Today, Pellerano is an evangelical minister and musician.
Alex Sanchez is a former high-ranking member of MS-13. He became involved in the gang in the 1980s in Los Angeles and participated in its expansion. He speaks with BI about tattooing, rules and codes, media perception, and the political language used to depict the gang.
Omar Sharif was involved in gang activity in London. He speaks with BI about county lines, gang colors, and language. Sharif is now a motivational speaker, life coach, and youth worker. He has also worked with large corporations and leaders.
John Pennisi was an associate with the Gambino family through John Gotti Jr. before he became a made member of the Lucchese crime family in 2013. Pennisi says he decided to leave the mob in 2018 after members of his crew falsely accused him of cooperating with law enforcement.
Jay Dobyns is a retired ATF agent who went undercover with the Hells Angels from 2001 to 2003 as part of Operation Black Biscuit. He speaks with BI about his experience with the outlaw motorcycle gang, from weapons to narcotics trafficking. He later served as an instructor at the ATF's National Academy. Dobyns is the recipient of the United States attorney general's Medal of Valor, 12 ATF special-act awards, and the National Association of Police Organizations' top-cops award.
Jimmy Tsui is a former member of Tung On in New York City's Chinatown. He later transitioned into the Sun Yee On triad in Hong Kong, where he became a "426 general" in 1988. He speaks with BI about how the triads make money, such as extortion and protection rackets. He discusses the initiation ceremonies and rules of membership as well as the ties to the movie business.
Mike Moy says he was a gang member in New York City's Chinatown, having been recruited in the 1970s. He speaks with BI about gambling houses, counterfeit money, bootleg kung fu movies, gunrunning, and credit-card fraud. Moy joined the New York City Police Department as an officer in 1995 and worked there for 26 years. He later founded the YouTube channel Chinatown Gang Stories, where he speaks with former gang members about their lives.
Yuyama Shinya is a former member of the yakuza in Japan. He speaks with BI about the ways the yakuza makes money, such as extortion and protection rackets. He discusses the initiation ceremonies and rules of membership as well as the ties the yakuza has to other criminal groups, such as the triads and Russian organized crime. He now runs a YouTube channel.
Find out more:
Andy Pellerano
www.oneaccordministries.net/
Alex Sanchez
www.homiesunidos.org
Omar Sharif
www.omarinspires.com
John Pennisi
https://www.youtube.com/c/Sitdownnews
Jay Dobyns
www.jaydobyns.com/
Mike Moy and Jimmy Tsui
https://www.youtube.com/@chinatowngangstories