List of gangs

The Grand Theft Auto series of video games features a myriad of fictional gangs and criminal organizations of various ethnicities, histories and activities, which have served as both primary and secondary vehicles in the games' plot points, as well as allies or foes of the game's characters.

The following is a list of prominent criminal gangs in the series. This article primarily deals with gangs appearing within Grand Theft Auto titles set in the Grand Theft Auto 1 canon, Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto IV canon, including:

For gangs in Grand Theft Auto 2, see list of gangs in the Grand Theft Auto 2 article.
 * Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 & London 1961 (L,69&L,61''), set in 1969 and 1961.
 * Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III), set in 2001.
 * Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (GTA:VC), set in 1986.
 * Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA:SA), set in 1992.
 * Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (GTA:LCS), set in 1998.
 * Grand Theft Auto Advance (GTAA), set in 2000
 * Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (GTA:VCS), set in 1984.
 * Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV), set in 2008.
 * Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned (TLAD), set in 2008.
 * Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (TBoGT), set in 2008.
 * Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (GTA:CW), set in 2009.

Overview
Street gangs and criminal organizations are an integral part of the Grand Theft Auto series serving as both ally and antagonist throughout the storyline, sometimes simultaneously. In Grand Theft Auto 2, the way you interacted with each gang in the game was monitored by the "respect" system it had: if the player attacks members of a certain gang or completed missions detrimental to a gang, the gang would dislike the player and attack him or her on sight, but if the player does missions for a gang, then the player gains respect from that gang which allowed for more missions to be completed for that particular gang.

While gang interaction had its relevant pros and cons in Grand Theft Auto 2, in Grand Theft Auto III, gang missions had a stronger and more storyline-oriented affect on gameplay than in previous installments. For example, if a player accomplishes a gang mission that encompasses the assassination of a rival gang leader, it should come as no surprise that the gang of the assassinated leader will not wish to do business with the player and may even attack him in the game.

Les Benzies, a DMA Design employee who oversaw the development of Grand Theft Auto III, cited such movies as Bullitt, Casino, and The Warriors as inspiration for the creation of the gangs in the series.

The Commission
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Commission is the name given to the GTA IV version of the real-life Commission, the mob's ruling body. They can usually be found in Little Italy as well as parts of Alderney. Vehicles of choice appear to be PMP-600s and Sentinels. The Commission is made up of the following five families:

Ancelotti Family
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Part of the Cosa Nostra "Commission". Formed in the late 1950s by Giovanni Ancelotti, an Italian immigrant from Naples, who managed to reach the top of the Liberty City underworld. Many of Ancelotti's men work at the Alderney City Fruit Markets, while the rest of the family's businesses are set in Algonquin. According to Jon Gravelli, he was going to kill Giovanni's uncle many years ago but decided to spare him. The Ancelotti family are the weakest of the Five Families, needing to hire Albanian thugs for extra muscle. Because of this, the Ancelottis are often the target of the Pegorinos and their hired muscle, the McReary Irish Mob. They also start to work with the Russian Mafia, earning the wrath of the Gambetti family, who consider it an insult to work with foreign crime syndicates.


 * The Ancelotti crime family is based on Colombo crime family, which has been weakened by the third Colombo crime family war in the 1990s. The family is the smallest and is trying to rebuild its self. It is the youngest crime family in New York City and started around 1928.

Gambetti Family
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Arguably the most powerful of the Five Families of Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto IV. The Gambetti family is based in Broker and were led by the aging Jon Gravelli, who had taken over the position as Don of the Family in 1978 after the death of then Don, Sonny Cangelosi. Gravelli had been confined to Schottler Medical Center in Broker since 2005 with a serious kidney based illness. A case was brought against Gravelli and the Gambetti Family in 2006 for Racketeering, although Jon Gravelli has not been able to stand trial due to his illness. Roy Zito is currently the underboss and right hand man of Jon Gravelli. Zito is fiercely loyal to his Don, having offered the sick Gravelli his own kidney in tribute. When Gravelli refused the offer, Zito cut the Kidney out himself and delivered it to his Don in a bucket of ice. Zito is acting as underboss of the family while official underboss, Sammy Bottino, is in hiding for a murder he committed in Vice City. After the death of Jon Gravelli, it's assumed that Bottino will become the Don of the Gambetti Family.

The Gambetti Family are traditionally enemies of the Pavano Family. Gambetti Family members appear smartly dressed in suits and ties.


 * The Gambetti crime family is based on real life Gambino crime family in New York City based in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Lupisella Family
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

The Lupisella Family are one of the founding families of the Liberty City Mafia Commission. They are based in Bohan, and suspected to be as powerful as the Gambetti Family from Broker, the Lupisella's control many of Liberty City's major Rackets. 79 year old Vincent Lupisella is in charge of the family, with his nephew, Mark "Loopy" Lupisella being the family's street boss, or puppet boss. Vincent Lupisella is thought to have killed his twin brother over a leadership struggle within the family. Mark Lupisella was due to have a reality tv show produced about his life on the CNT network but plans were cancelled when he attacked the executive producer. The family's main hitman is 65 year old Sonny Honarato, a feared enforcer from Bohan. Honarato has faked his own death and works underground, and is believed to be the hitman behind several bodies found floating in the West River. Another tale of Honarato's reliability is in 2003, when he suffered a massive heart attack. Ten days later he killed a cardiologist with Gambling debts to the Lupisella's. Moe Schwartz is the 69 year old Jewish accountant of the Lupisella Family. He has not officially been inducted into the family because of his Jewish ancestry. Schwartz' skills as an accountant to the family are key to its success, with his help the Lupisella's are the only Mafia Family unable to have been charged with tax irregularities. Schwartz also spent 340 days in 2002 only communicating through spreadsheets as he was concerned about surveillance devices.


 * Based on real life Lucchese crime family in New York City which is based in Bronx (Bohan) and one of the five families of NYC.

Messina Family
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

One of the oldest Italian-American crime families in Liberty City. The Messina criminal syndicate is based in Dukes. The family is believed to be led by Harvey Noto, 66, who was able to establish himself at the top of the organization after a long and bloody power struggle. The Messina Family are facing a police crackdown in the new year. Harry Hall is the Irish-American consigliere of the Messina Family, despite he was never indicted in the family due to his Irish descent. The family's two Caporegime's are brothers Mark Anthony Volpe and Frederico 'Fredo' Volpe. The Messina's suspect that Mark Anthony Volpe is a FIB informant, however it is his brother Fredo who is in fact the informant, and has enough wiretap evidence to bring down the whole Messina Crime Family when arrests are made.


 * Messina crime family is based on the Bonanno crime family which in the 1990s turned around and became a powerful force on the commission again after John Gotti helped them regain their lost seat.

Pavano Family
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

One of the five families of Liberty City. Led by 60 year old Maria "Mary" Valvona, a Sicilian born matriarch. They play a minor role in GTA 4. Jimmy Pegorino wants to get his family on the commission and he offers the Pavano's a cash tribute. The Pavano's see this as an opportunity to whack out Jimmy Pegorino, but their attempt is foiled by Niko, who was brought along for protection. They mainly keep to themselves in Algonquin, but Jimmy allows them to run a loan shark operation and several bookies in Alderney.
 * The Pavano family could be based on the Italian organization based in Camorra where there was a female boss Rosetta Cutolo. The Italian-American crime families in New York City have never had any female members they have only stayed as associates or "Comare" (name for mafia mistress). However this fictional IV familly could be based on a Camorra Clan even though Camorra's are no longer active in New york. Or Rockstar games interpretation of the film Analyze That were Cathy Moriarty-Gentile played Patti LoPresti a female Mafia Boss.

Pegorino Family
Appearances: GTA IV, The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Led by James "Jimmy the Peg" Pegorino, the Pegorino family (Also known as, the Alderney Mob) is not one of the Five Families, nor is it part of the Commission. It is considered a smaller mafia outfit, which Jimmy wants to change. Other key members of the family include associate Phil Bell and capo Ray Boccino. Despite Pegorino's efforts to get his organization on the Liberty City Commission, the other Families continue to view the Pegorino family as a joke.

The Pegorino family begins to unravel when Jimmy and other members are indicted, mainly because Anthony Corrado, Pegorino's personal bodyguard, snitched to the law (he is killed before he can testify in court). Ray Boccino is also killed on suspicion of being a snitch. With the law closing in all around, Pegorino becomes desperate to be rid of any evidence that would implicate him and his organization, most notably a large amount of heroin that the Pegorino family stole from a Triad gang. He enters into a partnership with the leader of one of Liberty City's 2 Russian Organizations, Dimitri Rascalov, who agrees to find a buyer for the heroin in exchange for half the profit. Niko, who has worked for the Pegorino family in the past, is asked by Pegorino to oversee one half of the deal.

If the player chooses not to go through with the deal and kill Dimitri, the Pegorino family is ruined and Phil Bell leaves the dying organization. A furious Pegorino attempts to get revenge on Niko by shooting him at Roman Bellic's wedding, but kills Kate McReary by accident. After the shooting, everyone in town wants Pegorino dead, according to Little Jacob. After a long shootout and chase, Niko kills Pegorino on Happiness Island. It is suggested that the Pegorino family ceases to exist after his death.

If the player chooses to go through with the deal, then Niko and Phil Bell meet with the buyers at one location to pick up the money, while Dimitri sells the heroin at a different location. However, Dimitri ends up killing the buyers and keeping the heroin for himself. Niko and Phil manage to fight their way to the money and retrieve it. With the Russians taking the heroin off his hands and the Pegorinos managing to get the money regardless, the Pegorino family gains a lot of power. According to Little Jacob, Pegorino considers himself the "Don of Dons" afterwards. However, Dimitri betrays Pegorino and kills him, wishing to keep the money for himself. It is unknown if the Pegorino family ceases to exist after this, due to Phil Bell still being with the organization and the money possibly still in their hands.


 * The Pegorino crime family is based on real life DeCavalcante crime family based mainly in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The DeCavalcante family received a commission seat in the late 1970s.

African Americans
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

The M.O.B. are a gang that hangs around the Firefly Projects in Liberty City and Acter in Alderney State. An early mission has Niko picking up a friend of Roman's named Jermaine Andrews, who is said to be member of the Firefly Projects African-American gang.

North Holland Hustlers
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

A larger Black-American gang operating in the North Holland, Northwood, and Acter neighborhoods of Algonquin and Alderney, with ties to the Torres Cartel in Bohan and Northwood Dominican Drug Dealers Gang, and the East Holland Drug Crew. The gang was originally led by Dwayne Forge until his incarceration. It was then taken over by Trey "Playboy X" Stewart, a flashy gangster with a less professional attitude to the "business" and more focused on the actual money earned, not how he goes about earning it. He was Forge's protégé before he went to jail. Upon his release from prison, Dwayne is displeased with how the gang is being run and vies for power in an ensuing turf war. Niko Bellic then has to kill either Playboy X or Dwayne Forge after receiving calls from the two of them. If the player kills Playboy X, the gang will be led by Dwayne Forge. They are rivals to Money Over Bitches (M.O.B.) and Spanish Lords.

Other notable members include Marlon Bridges and Jayvon Simson, both of whom Niko kills for Playboy and Dwayne. If Niko chooses to kill Playboy X, he acquires Playboy X's penthouse and befriends Dwayne. When Niko earns enough of his respect, Dwayne will send two members of the North Holland Hustlers to assist Niko, when he calls Dwayne for the request.

Irish American Killers
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars A larger Dukes based Irish-American gang, it is currently led by brothers Derrick McReary and Gerald "Gerry" McReary. Gerry often gives his orders through his younger brother, Patrick "Packie" McReary. Another brother, Francis McReary, is Deputy Commissioner of the Liberty City Police Department, but Francis is unable to take down his family due to corruption evidence that Gerry has against him. While not a participant in the family's criminal enterprises; Kate McReary, the only daughter in the male dominated clan, becomes a close friend to Niko Bellic. Derrick has recently returned from a period of hiding in Ireland doing work for the IRA and does not seem to have much power in the family at this time due to a crippling drug and alcohol addiction. Other known members of the gang include Gordon Sargent and Michael Keane. The Irish American Killers used to be quite prominent in Liberty City, but their power has greatly diminished due to the rise of the Russian Mafia in Broker and the Italian Mafia expansion into Algonquin. At their height of their power, the center of the Irish American Killers' territory was the Algonquin neighborhood of Purgatory, which is a nod to the days when the Westies ran the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It is implied by Packie that Maureen McReary is the real leader of the gang. It is shown on the LCPD records that she was connected to a murder.

The Irish American Killers have ties with the Torres Cartel in Bohan through Packie's good friend Elizabeta, and the Pegorino Family through Ray Boccino.

The Angels of Death MC
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Angels of Death Motorcycle Club are a white supremacist outlaw biker gang operating around Algonquin, where they frequently hang out at their clubhouse located in Varsity Heights, Liberty City. They are supplied with Heroin by the Jaoming Triad and deal Cocaine with the Spanish Lords. Unlike The Lost MC, who have an exclusive Liberty City charter, the Angels of Death have numerous charters including ones in the UK, Scandinavia, Canada and Australia as well as one in every state of America. The Angels of Death also have a themepark in Florida and sell branded merchandise such as bed linen, books, party sets, diapers and even dildos. For this, The Lost MC accuse them of selling out to what is true.

According to their official in-game website, www.angelsofdeathonline.com, the AOD started in San Andreas in 1949 as a small club for people unsatisfied with a non-segregated society. Lester Arnold is the leader of the Angels of Death and is based in San Fierro, along with Road Captain Joseph "Joe Jon" Johnson.

They are based on the real life Hells Angels.

The Lost MC
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Lost Motorcycle Club, also known as The Lost Brotherhood or simply The Lost, are a multi-racial outlaw biker gang operating out of their clubhouse in Acter, Alderney. According to the official in game website of The Lost, the club was founded by 8 US Marines serving in Vietnam in 1964 who all shared a passion for hookers, Heroin, motorcycles and 86'n Charlie. The club's President is Billy Grey, but due to him being in rehab for Cocaine possession (of which he successfully claimed was for personal use) and Heroin use, leadership was temporarily put in the hands of the Vice-President, Johnny Klebitz. Johnny holds the leadership for two months while Billy is in rehabilitation, and Johnny sees to it that there is a truce put into place with the Angels of Death MC, the sworn enemies of The Lost, realizing there is more money to be made in the lucrative Drug trafficking business than mindless violence against the AOD. Billy is eventually released from rehab, the conflicts between The Lost and Angels of Death once again are reignited over the AOD having possession of Billy's personal Revenant motorcycle, and eventually the death of recently patched enforcer for The Lost, Jason Michaels (which was actually the work of GTA IV protagonist Niko Bellic)

The Lost appear in one mission in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars as enemies, the next year after the Alderney Chapter.

Other key members of The Lost include Brian Jeremy, Jim Fitzgerald, Clay Simons, Terry Thorpe, and Angus Martin. In GTA: The Lost and Damned, it is revealed that after the arrest of Billy, The Lost was split in two with Johnny's supporters and Billy's supporters, led by Brian. Eventually, Johnny kills Brian but there are many casualties for the Lost. Due to the diamond problem with Ray, Jim is killed. Stubbs reaveals to Johnny that Billy is planning to rat out the Lost's drug deals in order to be put in the Witness Protection Program. Johnny, along with other Lost members, attack the facility that Billy is being kept in. Johnny then personally executes him. The last remaining members of the Lost, Johnny, Angus, Terry, and Clay, burn the Lost clubhouse.

The first GTA IV DLC expansion pack, The Lost and Damned, centers on the Lost and their Vice-President, Johnny Klebitz.

Uptown Riders MC
Appearances: GTA: The Lost and Damned

The Uptown Riders are a predominantly African-American motorcycle gang based in North Holland that only ride imported sports bikes. They have an alliance with The Lost, despite the two gangs arguing over the types of motorcycles that they drive. The Uptown Riders also work for Elizabeta Torres. Malc (Malcolm) and DeSean are members of this gang, whom Johnny Klebitz works with in several missions after being introduced via Jim. It is not known whether the Uptown Riders are a motorcycle club or a street gang, a question that even Malc himself is unable to answer. The Uptown Riders are made in reference to the Ruff Ryders.

Russian Mafiya
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars The Russian Mob (Or Mafiya and Bratva) only appear in San Andreas for a short time, wearing a black t-shirt or grey sweater, jacket and pants. Though they have no permanent stake in San Andreas, they claim the Atrium as a temporary turf in a mission, and also appear in league with the Ballas, Vagos and Rifas in Big Smoke's "Crack Palace."

However they play a much larger role in GTA IV with such characters as Vlad Glebov, Mikhail Faustin, Dimitri Rascalov, Rodislav "Ray" Bulgarin, and Kenny Petrovic. While they are seen to have operations all over Liberty, they would appear to be based in Hove Beach, Firefly Island, and Beachgate. It is in the neighborhoods that you can find gang members walking the streets, as well as cruising in jet black luxury cars such as Sentinels, Schafters, and Reblas.

Faustin Crew/Rascalov Crew
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

This crew is a large Russian crime syndicate who seem to run both Dukes and Broker, eventually becoming the main group of antagonists in the game. The Crew is headed by Pakhan Mikhail Faustin, an erratic and paranoid cocaine addict who lives in a rich mansion with his estranged wife and rebellious teenage daughter. It would seem Faustin is a member of the Bratski Krug, or Circle of Brothers, a Russian version of the Italian-American Commission. Broker is run by one of the Crew's Brigadiers, Vladimir Glebov, a Russian loan-shark operating out of "Comrades" until he is executed by Niko Bellic. Mikhail's orders for numerous hits on people for trivial matters draws unwanted attention from the law and upsets his partner, Dimitri Rascalov, who is angry that Mikhail has stopped following the unspoken rules of organized crime. Another Russian Mafiya Crew, the Petrovic Crew, almost wage a full-scale war on the Faustin Crew when Lenny Petrovic is murdered on orders from Mikhail. This is averted when Dimitri secretly strikes a deal with Pakhan Kenny Petrovic to use Niko to kill Mikhail. Dimitri then assumes control of the Faustin Crew with his new partner, Rodislav Bulgarin, Niko's old boss in the human trafficking ring to whom Niko owes money. The Faustin Crew (Now Rascalov Crew) under Dimitri and Rodislav's new leadership betrays Niko and attempt to kill him. They then set fire to Niko and Roman's apartment and taxi depot, running the cousins out of Broker and Dukes. Sometime after Niko kills Dwayne Forge or Playboy X, the Rascalov Crew kidnap Roman Bellic in order to lure Niko into a trap, the Rascalovs were unsuccessful, and the Bellics move into Algonquin, where they are actually safe, as Roman doesn't get taken by any Russians there. It is revealed in a text from Roman, he got kidnapped by a biker for the Russian Mob. On Gerald McReary's Final Mission, Dimitri sends Bulgarin to ambush Niko on Charge Island. Bulgarin arrives at Bellic's Deal with the Ancelotti Crime Family, claiming the diamonds they was about to get were his and orders his Crew, the Eastern European Drug Crew, to kill Niko, along with Patrick McReary.

In The Lost and Damned they appear as a minor gang, confronting the game's protagonist Johnny and forcing him to kidnap Roman Bellic to pay off the debt Johnny's former girlfriend Ashley owes them.

Petrovic Crew
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Another Russian Mafiya Family working in Broker, Dukes, and Bohan. The family is led by Pakhan Kenny Petrovic, presumably another member of Bratski Krug. It is mentioned on the LCPD database that Kenny Petrovic is the most powerful Russian Kingpin in Liberty City and possibly the most powerful one in America. The Petrovic and Faustin Families have a peace due to the Bratski Krug, until Mikhail Faustin orders the execution of Petrovic's son, Lenny. Kenny Petrovic then orders the deaths of Faustin's administration, including Dimitri, Niko and Mikhail himself. Dimitri strikes a deal with Petrovic that places blame solely on Mikhail, which would have Niko assassinate Mikhail and have Dimitri replace him as Pakhan.

Albanians
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

The Albanian Mob is the first gang that Niko runs in to after his arrival in America. This small time mob, based in Broker and Bohan, operates mainly in loan-sharking, blackmailing and extortion. Dardan Petrela, Bledar Morina and Dardan's brother Kalem are members. Roman Bellic owed money to them for a time, leading to the three aforementioned members to threaten him at his cab depot and chase him from a backroom card game. After they attempt to beat Roman at a basketball court, Bledar and Kalem are beaten unconscious and Dardan is killed by Niko Bellic. Later on, while doing mission for the Irish Mob, Gerry McReary tells Niko that the Ancelotti family hires Albanian soldiers as hitmen, extortionists, and thugs. Gerry hires Niko to hit an Ancelotti captain, Tony Black, to create a rift between the Albanians and the Ancelottis. After Tony Black has been killed, Gerry puts a contract on another Ancelotti caporegime Frankie Garone. Niko, while disguised as an Albanian, chases Frankie and guns him down on a motorcycle. Later on, during the Undertaker mission, a crew of Albanian hitmen is seen attacking the McRearys after a family funeral. The Albanian gang can be found on the streets of Little Bay. In the multiplayer "Bomb Da Base II", the Albanian mob appears as the main antagonist, shipping stolen cars back to Europe without Petrovic's permission.

In The Lost and Damned the Lost Brotherhood occasionally engages in gang wars with the Albanians.

Spanish Lords
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Spanish Lords are a Puerto Rican gang based on the Latin Kings. They are one of the largest criminal organizations found in GTA IV being found in Cerveza Heights, South Bohan, East Holland and Alderney City. Former members include Manny Escuela and Lyle Rivas. Like the Latin Kings they wear black and gold, though they almost always wear clothing featuring the Puerto Rican flag and t-shirts with "Boricua" on them, in addition to their gang colors. The vehicles they drive are nearly always metallic red with gold trim and rims.They are Rivals to North Holland Hustlers and Northwood Dominican Drug Dealers Gang.

Note: The Spanish Lords is also a real street gang in Chicago. Spanish Lords could be rivals of another Hispanic Street gang called the left wood Hispanic street gang.

Dominican drug dealers
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned and GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony

The Northwood Dominican drug dealers are led by Willy Valerio and Teddy Benavidez. Valerio's lieutenants are the Gomez brothers, Alonso and Oscar. The small crew isn't strong compared to its local competition, namely the North Holland Hustlers and Spanish Lords, but they are known to have recently begun working with Liberty City's Mafia families. The Gomez brothers have ties to Luis Lopez, the Dominican bodyguard of club owner and Ancelotti associate "Gay" Tony Prince. Benavidez is known to do business with the Pegorino Family through Ray Boccino. They share Northwood with The North Holland Hustlers.

Yardies
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

A Jamaican gang operating out of Dukes, dealing drugs and weapons. Niko Bellic's friend, "Little" Jacob Hughes, is a member of this gang, along with his boss, Real Badman. Niko can do drug deals for this gang, kill rival drug dealers and gang members, as well as purchase weapons from Little Jacob's trunk when his friendship with him is high enough. Hangouts are Schottler, Beechwood city, and Willis, particularly around the Homebrew Cafe which they would appear to own. They drive two-toned, green and black vehicles, often Huntley Sports or Voodoos.

The have a minor role in "The Lost and Damned" occasionally engaging in gang wars with The Lost.

Liberty City Triads
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

Triads in Liberty City appear in the Chinatown neighbourhood of Algonquin and the Cerveza Heights neighbourhood of Dukes. They can be armed with a knife, pistol or shotgun, and will attack the player if they are provoked.

Jaoming Family
Appearances: GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Jaoming Family are the leading Triad family in Liberty City. Hsin Jaoming is the de facto leader of the Liberty City Triads, though he was retiring as of 2009. His son, Chan Jaoming, was a possible candidate for being the next leader, but his father and the other Triads saw him as incompetent. Chan was killed by Huang Lee, the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, as he was thought to have been a fed rat alongside Zhou Ming. It eventually turned out to have been Huang's uncle Wu Lee, who stabbed Hsin Jaoming with the family sword Yu Jian right before Wu's own death.

Lee Family
Appearances: GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Lee Family is a Triad family located in Cerveza Heights. The family was led by Huang Lee's father until his death in 2009, after which his brother Wu Lee took over. Huang Lee was then tasked to bring the family sword Yu Jian to his uncle Wu. However, when he arrived in Liberty City, he was ambushed and the sword was stolen. Huang had to recover the sword so Wu could give it to Hsin Jaoming to get in his favor. Eventually, Huang found out that Wu had Huang ambushed himself and he had killed Huang's father, after which Huang killed Wu. It is likely Huang took over control of the family after this.

Ming Family
Appearances: GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Ming Family is the last known Triad Family in Liberty City. The family was led by Zhou Ming, who was favored by the Tongs as the next Triad leader and Zhou saw himself as the best candidate as well. However, Huang got his hands on evidence that proved that Zhou was a fed rat and he was then ordered to kill Zhou. Ironically, after this had been done, the Triads found out that it was Huang's uncle who was the fed rat.

Midtown Gangsters
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA: The Lost and Damned, GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony and GTA: Chinatown Wars

The Midtown Gangsters are a group of Korean gangsters located in Alderney City in 2008 and in Bohan, Liberty City in 2009. They were loyal to the Liberty City Triads, though Hsin Jaoming, the Triad leader, expected the Midtown Gangsters to have been ratting the Triads out to the LCPD in 2009. Therefore, he had Huang search for evidence proving this, resulting in the deaths of many underbosses and other members.

The Midtown Gangsters are possible enemies in the Gang Wars side-mission in GTA: The Lost and Damned and the Drug Wars side-mission in GTA: The Ballad of Gay Tony.

GTA III-era
The following is a list of prominent criminal gangs in the Grand Theft Auto III era. This article primarily deals with gangs appearing within:


 * Grand Theft Auto III (GTA III), set in 2001.
 * Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (GTA:VC), set in 1986.
 * Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (GTA:SA), set in 1992.
 * Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (GTA:LCS), set in 1998.
 * Grand Theft Auto Advance (GTAA), set in 2000
 * Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (GTA:VCS), set in 1984.

Leone Family
Appearances: GTA III, GTA:SA, GTA:LCS, GTA A(Advance)

Leader: Salvatore Leone

The Leone family is an Italian American Mafia criminal organization, originating from Sicily - referred to by Salvatore Leone as "the old country" - whose main base of operations is in Liberty City. They hold various assets in Portland, including Cipriani's Restaurante, Sex Club 7, and Joey's Auto Painting Shop. Their main base of operations, however, is Salvatore's mansion, which is in the northeast end of the Saint Mark's district near the beach. Their principal modus operandi is protection, extortion, and robbery.

Salvatore Leone became the Don of the Leone family after a bloody power struggle during the mid-1980s. He has a son, Joey Leone, who, much to Salvatore's dismay, is not yet wed. It is assumed that Salvatore became Don after his unnamed brother was killed.

The Leone family was also active in Las Venturas, where they held a stake in Caligula's Casino with the Sindacco and Forelli families, as agreed upon in 1992 (San Andreas), possibly in an attempt to unite the organizations. Salvatore Leone would eventually seize total control of the casino in 1992 after the death of Johnny Sindacco, only to have his casino robbed later in a heist organized by former ally Carl Johnson. The shock of Carl (previously a loyal associate) betraying him and stealing so much of his money right from under his nose drove the Don to paranoia. It is assumed that, because of the great loss of money from the heist, Salvatore abandons his investments in Las Venturas and returns to Liberty City, allowing the Sindacco family to retake their position within the city. However, this is merely speculation.

The Leone family are engaged in the First Gang War of 1998 with the Sindacco family in Liberty City Stories, which they win, with Toni Cipriani, the Leone family's Caporegime, eventually killing Don Paulie Sindacco. In the process, they take over Paulie's Revue Bar (later renamed as "Sex Club 7") as well as the Red Light District and Hepburn Heights, destroying all the influence the Sindacco family once held in Portland. They also engage in some open warfare against the Forelli family, but are mostly content to prolong the hostilities between the Sindacco and Forelli families, allowing them to wipe each other out. The Forelli family's power is seemingly broken when Toni unknowingly obliterated their main base of operations on Staunton Island while working for Donald Love. With Toni and Salvatore taking out the Sicilians responsible for starting the gang wars, the Leone family becomes the pre-eminent Mafia family in Liberty City.

Three years later, in GTA III, the Leone family has declined in power, although they are still one of the strongest crime syndicates in town. Their territory in Chinatown has been openly taken by the Triads (although they still have businesses there), Hepburn Heights now belongs to the Diablos (as Toni Cipriani predicted it would in Liberty City Stories) and the Colombian Cartel is undermining them by selling cheap SPANK from their freighter in the harbor. Joey Leone, the underboss of the Leone family, engages in a small, subtle war with the now-weakened Forelli family, ordering the killing of Mike "Lips" Forelli. In the same year, the Leone family engage in a full-scale war with the Liberty City Triads after certain businesses in Chinatown stop paying their protection money to the Leone family. The war is long and concludes in three of the Triad Warlords being killed, as well as the Triad Fish Factory being destroyed by a bomb set off from a garbage truck.

Claude was seen working for the Leone family in GTA III, killing Lips Forelli, acting as their main agent against the Triads, and destroying the Colombian Cartel's freighter. However, Don Salvatore Leone eventually betrays Claude, ordering him to retrieve a car secretly rigged with explosives. It was later revealed that Salvatore had grown paranoid of Claude. Salvatore had offered Claude's death as a deal to the Colombian Cartel, in an attempt to create peace between the organizations. As a result, Claude assassinates Salvatore as a final gesture to the Leone family, which strengthens his own ties with the Liberty City Yakuza.

In GTA III and GTA:LCS, Leone members don black suits with black/red ties, some with sunglasses and gloves, and they carry pistols and shotguns. In GTA:SA the mobsters (some of whom are presumed to be the Leone family) dress in either brown leather jackets with gray pants, light blue shirts with chains, or in black jogging suits. In Liberty City, the Leone family controls the area in and around Marco's Bistro.

Forelli Family
Appearances: GTA III, GTA:VC, GTA:SA, GTA:LCS, GTA:VCS

Leader: Sonny Forelli (GTA:VC era); Mike 'Lips' Forelli (GTA III era)

The Forelli family is an Italian-American Mafia family based in Liberty City. The Don of the Forelli family in 1986 is Sonny Forelli, who would be killed by Tommy Vercetti, a renegade Forelli family member in Vice City. They had planned to expand their empire "down south" by opening relations with local drug cartels through Tommy Vercetti, but that never happened due to Sonny's death and Tommy's defection. The main base of operations for this once powerful organization was Marco's Bistro before Sonny's death. The Forelli family used to be the most powerful family in Liberty City, but the deaths of several high-ranking members have led to their subsequent downfall over time.

In San Andreas, it was agreed that the Forelli family would own an equal share of Caligula's Casino, along with the Sindacco and Leone families in 1992. However, their part in the deal would quickly end as Salvatore Leone (the Don of the Leone family) ordered Carl Johnson to gun down a high-ranking member of the Forelli family at Marco's Bistro (having already destroyed the Sindacco family's influence in Las Venturas), so the Leone family could fully control the Casino.

In Liberty City Stories, Salvatore Leone mentions Franco Forelli as the Don of the Forelli family at the time, likely taking control after Sonny Forelli's death in 1986. Liberty City Stories also reveals a Little Italy district in Fort Staunton that served as the main base of the Forelli family's operations after Sonny's death. They got into a gang war with the Sindacco family after the latter fled Portland - a gang war that the Leone family were only too happy to prolong, weakening both sides. The entire district was destroyed by Toni Cipriani on orders from Donald Love, using plans stolen from Avery Carrington, effectively taking all their assets and power with it. What was once Little Italy would become the construction site disputed by the Colombian Cartel and Liberty City Yakuza by GTA III.

By GTA III, the Forelli family seems to have been weakened considerably, with the killing of several more Forelli members (including Mike "Lips" Forelli) by Claude on Joey Leone's orders. It is assumed that the Forelli family has been reduced to servitude under the Leone family and their organization on the whole is now considered a brotherhood. At this point in time, the Forelli family's territory is assumed to consist solely of Marco's Bistro. However, that might also be under majority control of the Leone family, as a Leone Sentinel was seen parked there in Liberty City Stories. It is possible that, by the end of GTA III, the Forellis would cease to exist. The Forelli family has also been called the Forelli Brothers.

In GTA:LCS, Forelli members don blue/dark red shirts with light blue/white jackets over and carry pistols. In GTA:SA the mobsters (some of whom are presumed to be the Forelli family) dress in either brown leather jackets with gray pants, light blue shirts with chains, or in black jogging suits. In GTA III, they dressed like the Leone family, as seen in one of Joey Leone's missions, as they were in disguise. In GTA:VC they wear white or red Hawaiian shirts with tan or brown pants. Their weapons are pistols, Tec 9, M4, shotgun, and Kruger assault rifle for high-ranking members.

Sindacco Family
Appearances: GTA:SA, GTA:LCS

Leader: Johnny Sindacco (GTA:SA era); Paulie Sindacco (GTA:LCS era)

The Sindacco family is an Italian-American Mafia family based in Las Venturas and, formerly, Liberty City, where they originated. The Sindacco family also had a stake in Caligula's Casino, alongside the Forelli and Leone families. The Sindacco family wanted to do business with the Leone and Forelli families and possibly unite the three organizations, and this involved Don Salvatore Leone reluctantly pledging 5 million dollars to the Sindacco family. The three outfits argued over who should run the casino, and so Ken Rosenberg (once working with the Forelli family, but then abandoned by the very powerful Vercetti Gang) was put forward as a neutral party. Ken was in the middle of the Three Families, so if one attacked the other, Ken would most likely be the target of revenge.

The Sindacco family was formerly represented by Johnny Sindacco, the underboss of the Sindacco family, who would die from shock-induced heart failure in GTA: SA after meeting Carl Johnson for a second time. Johnny had previously been captured by the Mountain Cloud Boys Triad, tied onto a car driven by Carl, and scared into revealing information. The experience had put him into a coma, suffering a period of psychological and physical trauma. The Introduction prequel also indicates Johnny is in fact the son of the Sindacco's Don, most likely Paulie Sindacco, as he mentioned that his father wanted to unite their organization with the Leone family. It is suspected that, after the Leone family abandons Caligula's Casino and returns to Liberty City, the Sindaccos move in and re-take the casino. However, there is no proof of this.

By the end of 1998, Don Paulie Sindacco decided to expand further throughout Liberty City, moving into Leone family territory in Chinatown, dealing drugs. In Liberty City Stories, on orders from Salvatore Leone, Toni Cipriani used J.D. O'Toole, who was running Paulie's Revue Bar in Liberty City's Red Light District for the Sindacco family, as an inside-man to help weaken the Sindacco family and claim the Red Light District and Paulie's Revue Bar (renamed Sex Club 7) as Leone territory. Later on, Toni Cipriani would kill Paulie Sindacco, the Don of the Sindacco family, in 1998.

After their defeat by the Leone family in the First Gang War of 1998, the Sindacco family left Portland for Staunton Island, moving into Forelli family territory. This resulted in the Second Gang War of 1998, this time between the Sindacco and the Forelli families. Don Franco Forelli and Don Paulie Sindacco attempted to establish a truce between the Forelli and Sindacco families, possibly to defeat the Leone family together. Before a truce could be created, however, Toni Cipriani uses a remote control device to assume control of Paulie Sindacco's car and run over dozens of Forelli family members with it. This fueled the Sindacco family war with the Forelli family, which doesn't end until the assassination of Paulie Sindacco in Shoreside Vale later that same year and the (likely) death of Franco Forelli in the Little Italy explosion, all caused by Leone family Caporegime Toni Cipriani. The Sindacco family also owned territory in Torrington, including The Big Shot Casino, until the Yakuza decided to expand their influence in Liberty City by taking over Torrington, and in the process The Big Shot Casino as well, which they renamed as Kenji's Casino.

With no turf or front companies whatsoever remaining in Liberty City, the Sindacco family have very little influence (if any at all) remaining in Liberty City by GTA III. The family's fate remains unknown, as their activity outside Liberty City after Paulie's death is never disclosed.

In GTA:LCS, Sindacco members wear black shirts, black pants and brown jackets (leather or not) with/without sunglasses and carry pistols. In GTA:SA, the mobsters (some of whom are presumed to be the Sindacco family) dress in either brown leather jackets with gray pants, light blue shirts with chains, or in black jogging suits.

Sicilian Mafia
Appearances: GTA:LCS

In 1998, under the leadership of Salvatore Leone's elderly uncle, the Sicilian Mafia spark several wars between rival families in Liberty City in the hope of controlling the city once the existing families destroy each other.

Their plan is foiled, however, when Leone family Don Salvatore Leone and his Caporegime, Toni Cipriani, are able to hold their own against all of the other criminal organizations in the city. To retaliate, the Sicilians attempt to intimidate the mayor into convicting Leone on racketeering charges. This strategy is never fully executed due to the fact that Cipriani, under orders from Salvatore, kills Massimo Torini, the Caporegime of the Sicilian Mafia. After this, Uncle Leone acknowledges defeat and the Sicilian Mafia leaves Liberty City. When his nephew begins to insult him after their final confrontation, he simply replies, "Every dog has his day". Three years later, Salvatore Leone is, in fact, killed by Claude, a man whom he betrays.

Southside Hoods
Appearances: GTA III, GTA:LCS, GTA A(Advance)

Leader: D-Ice (Red Jacks)

The Southside Hoods are a prominent African-American gang in Shoreside Vale, Liberty City, who come to acquire their turf in Wichita Gardens while helping Toni Cipriani clear the Forelli family out of Wichita Gardens as payback for their part in having Salvatore Leone arrested. They are the Red Jacks and Purple Nines, both rival gangs. In GTA III, the latter is known to supply the SPANK drug on local streets. Their activities consist of drug dealing, prostitution, and street fighting.

The Red Jacks are a small-time street gang headed by D-Ice. Most of their missions in GTA III involve crippling Purple Nines activities. Eventually, the Purple Nines are destroyed, with their remaining members defeated in a mêlée battle.

The GTA III rendition of Southside Hoods members wear jackets of either red or purple, depending on which side they belong to, but are not seen attacking each other on the streets. Stranger yet, when a Red Jack is attacked, any nearby Purple Nines will rush to assist the gang member who is being assaulted; the same holds true in reverse. This is also suggested when D-Ice warned that Red Jacks would believe that they will also be shot at when they witness Purple Nines being killed by the player. In GTA:LCS, the Red Jacks and Purple Nines are apparently united, portrayed wearing brown jackets, over red hoodies with their hoods up (depicting a Red Jack) or purple shirts (depicting a Purple Nine), pants and boots.

Grove Street Families
Appearances: GTA:SA

Leader: Sean 'Sweet' Johnson

The Grove Street Families (also known as "Grove Street Alliance", "Grove Street", "Grove", "Families" or "GSF" for short) are a street gang in Los Santos, San Andreas, the native gang of Carl "CJ" Johnson. As far as street gangs in San Andreas go, the GSF are depicted as more honorable than their rival gangs, as they are against hard drugs being sold on their turf, despite the numerous other crimes and violent acts they take part in. The Grove Street Families are headed by Sean "Sweet" Johnson, and his previous lieutenants were Lance "Ryder" Wilson and Melvin "Big Smoke" Harris. Sweet is adamantly anti-narcotic, but Smoke believes the GSF have fallen from power because of Sweet's refusal to have the gang sell drugs. Their unwillingness to enter the drug trade has dragged the Grove Street Families out of prominence in the years leading up to the game's storyline. This, coupled with the deaths or betrayal of OGs such as Brian, Big Devil, Little Devil, B-Dup, and Big Bear has led to the sorry state of the GSF upon CJ's return from Liberty City.

There are at least two other distinct sets of the Families: the Temple Drive Families and the Seville Boulevard Families. Both sets were originally one with the Grove Street Families, but split up from the GSF during the five years of Carl's absence. Earlier in the game, they are not on good terms with each other, which is why the gang has weakened. Carl will occasionally make reference to Orange Grove Families; gang graffiti tags with the initials "OGF" also exist in the game. This was the gang's original name, though Rockstar changed the name before the release of San Andreas. Some references to this remain in the game, including graffiti that can be seen around Los Santos, tattoos that CJ can get with the name Orange Grove Families based on the OG Crips, and phrases that CJ will shout out while fighting other people.

The rivalry between the sets mainly has to do with Grove Street's opposition to drug dealing, but later in the game, the Families are united into one gang. Grove Street member Carl Johnson is involved in a brief conflict with the Seville Boulevard Families, who try to pin Sweet while he was visiting his girlfriend in Seville. Following this incident, Carl and Sweet Johnson call for an end to "green on green" conflicts. The meeting to reunite the Families is interrupted by a SWAT raid on the hotel where the meeting is being held, causing the death of several Grove Street members. The families are seen working together to defend each other several times during this mission, indicating that they had joined forces before the raid happened.

While Carl's return helps revive the GSF to an extent, Ryder and Smoke's betrayal of the gang, coupled with an ambush on Sweet and other high-ranking members by the rival Ballas gang and the police, destroys much of the gang's influence in the city. Consequently, the Ballas and Los Santos Vagos seize all of GSF's turf in Los Santos. Sweet is imprisoned, and Carl is forced to continue working for CRASH, a corrupt group of police officers. However, Sweet's release from prison, courtesy of Mike Toreno, allows the gang to rise again (now co-headed by Carl and Sweet Johnson) and regain most of their lost turf from the Ballas and Vagos. Depending on the player's actions, it is possible to take some or all of the Ballas' and Vagos' turf for the GSF.

GSF members commonly wear either a green basket-ball jersey, a green plaid shirt, or a green hoody, but during two cut-scenes, gangsters wearing a black button-up over a light green shirt, one wearing a dark green button-up, and one wearing a light-green shirt, are seen with Sweet. Presumably, these are other high-ranking Lieutenants in the GSF, who are killed during Big Smoke, and Ryder's betrayal. On a mission in San Fierro, C.J. kills Ryder, and on the final mission C.J. kills Big Smoke, and save the Los Santos of Criminal. The Ballas and Vagos work for the Big Smoke.

Seville Boulevard Families
Appearances: GTA:SA

The Seville Boulevard Families, or SBF, are a sub-gang of the Grove Street Families based on Playa Del Seville's project. In a GTA: San Andreas mission, CarlCJJohnson saves his brother from the Seville Boulevard Families' members. After the mission Reuniting the families, SBF are now allied with GSF and TDF (another famillies gang).

Temple Drive Families
Appearances: GTA:SA

The Temple Drive Families are another Grove Street Families sub-gang, based on Temple Drive around the graveyard. Like SBF, after the mission Reuniting The Families, TDF will be allied with GSF, and they will help them to fight Ballas and Vagos. TDF are one of the smallest Families gangs in Los Santos.

Ballas
Appearances: GTA:SA

Leader: Kane; Melvin 'Big Smoke' Harris

The Ballas are the GSF's primary enemy, having been around since the 1970s. They are involved in drug dealing, gang banging, prostitution, arms dealing, vandalism, and degeneracy, but mainly, the cocaine trade. The Ballas are rivals with GSF and the Aztecas, and have ties with the Los Santos Vagos, the San Fierro Rifa, the Loco Syndicate for narcotics, and the Russian Mafia for weapons. The Ballas also collaborate with C.R.A.S.H. Unlike the GSF, the Ballas have no reservations about making money by selling drugs; the spread of crack cocaine into the Grove Street community is part of their strategy to wipe the GSF out. During a mission with the GSF leader, Sweet, C.J. kills the Ballas' leader, Kane, during a funeral, weakening the family, and presumably causing the mass-invasion on Grove Street during O.G Loc's party later in the game.

The Ballas briefly control the streets of Los Santos alongside the Vagos after Big Smoke and Ryder defect to them and Grove Street leader Sweet Johnson is gunned down and arrested. They control the influence of the Families by using crack cocaine to turn GSF members into hopeless addicts totally dependent on them. However, following the release of Sweet from prison and the return of Carl Johnson, the Grove Street Families dominate the Ballas. The Ballas' Crack Palace is heavily demolished by Officer Frank Tenpenny, resulting in significantly reduced influence by the Ballas in Los Santos. Added to their loss of influence, Ballas will run from CJ if other Ballas are killed quickly or if they are heavily outnumbered by GSF. The Ballas are seen with purple bandanas, black skullcaps, knee high socks and flip-flop sandals, khaki pants and white shirts or black sweat shirts.

There are four known sets of Ballas: The Front Yard Ballas, The Rollin' Heights Ballas, the Kilo Trays, and the Temple Drive Ballas. The Ballas are recognizable by their purple attire, purple being the identifying color of the gang.

Rollin' Heights Ballas
Appearances: GTA:SA

The Rollin' Heights Ballas are a gang that comes from GSF's rivals the Ballas. They claim Rollin' Heights as their turf and are a small part of the gang's drug trade. They also are in Big Smoke's crack palace when it blows up which ends up killing most of them before CJ wipes the rest out after the death (or before) of Officer Frank Tenpenny.

Kilo Tray Ballas
Another sub group of the Balla gang,this gang takes a major part in the Balla drug trade. They sell majority of the drugs to the Grove Street Families. They are believed to be the biggest sub group of the Ballas gang and are also well known by the LSPD for their drug activity. They are killed by CJ and the Varios Los Aztecas shortly after the game's completion.

Trailer Park Mafia
Appearances: GTA:VCS

Leader: Marty Jay Williams

The "Trailer Park Mafia" is the name given to the former redneck gang in GTA:VCS based in a trailer park surrounding the Sunshine Autos Car Showroom, circa 1984. Their influence spans to Vice City's poorer communities, bringing further suffering to this bracket of the city's population. Their leader, Marty Jay Williams, is murdered by Victor Vance in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories after being prevented from kidnapping his own wife, Louise. Victor and his brother Lance then acquires the Mafia's businesses and the gang is disbanded.

In Vice City Stories, Trailer Park Mafia members are depicted wearing either shirts donning the Confederate flag and baseball caps or tank tops, sunglasses, and jeans.

Vice City Biker Gang
Appearances: GTA:VC, GTA:VCS

Leader: Mitch Baker

"The biggest family of misfits, outcasts and badasses," as quoted by their leader, Big Mitch Baker. A group of stereotypical bikers, they wear leather, give off a gruff, tough persona, have long beards and hair, wear biker attire and ride chopper style motorcycles. Circa 1986, they are the only gang, along with the Cuban Gang, with which Tommy Vercetti opens relations without forcibly taking it over. In Vice City Stories the Biker Gang are revealed to be a large gang owning several businesses across Vice City. It is assumed that due to Victor Vance's takeovers that the once large gang is reduced to only the Greasy Chopper Bar Downtown by GTA: Vice City. Victor Vance also stumbles into a homosexual, racist subsect of the gang, the White Stallionz. The Stallionz are not to be confused as the whole Biker Gang itself, for they only own a portion of the territories the Biker Gang owns. The entire Gang is also wiped out by Victor Vance.

Liberty City Biker Gang
Appearances: GTA:LCS

Leader: Cedric "Wayne" Fotheringay

The Biker Gang in Liberty City, led by Cedric "Wayne" Fotheringay, is a biker gang primarily involved in drugs and street racing. The gang is mainly featured in the Liberty City Stories installment, mostly in missions centering around Maria. Wayne, the leader, sells drugs to Maria Latore, and is also romantically involved with her; Toni Cipriani discovers the gang whilst assisting Maria, who puts herself up as first prize in a street race between gang members and Toni. Toni later kills Wayne, and meets the gang once more when Maria overdoses on drugs, believing the cure is at Rusty Brown Ring Donuts, an old haunt of Wayne's. Their only known turf is a bar in Chinatown. They are believed to be on bad terms with the Avenging Angels vigilante group since they are known to cause trouble around Liberty City, circa 1998. Toni is required to kill many groups of Bikers during Avenging Angel missions.

The gang ends and soon disappears,and most likely must have left Liberty City in either 2000 or in 2001 because of the ban on motorcycles.On the time of "GTA Advance" it was declared to put a stop on motorcycles, Resulting the end of the gang

By the time of GTA III, It was officially declared that there would be no motorcycles,so the Liberty City Biker Gang cease to exist.

Colombian Cartel
Appearances: GTA III, GTA Advance, GTA:LCS

Leader: Cisco (GTA A era); Miguel (GTA: LCS & GTA III era); Catalina (GTA III era)

The Colombian Cartel (aka the "Cartel" in Grand Theft Auto Advance) is a shady South American syndicate and the main group of antagonists in GTA III. They are exceptionally well armed, and are led by Catalina and Miguel to produce and supply the drug SPANK in Liberty City. It is suggested by Liberty City police records that the Colombian Cartel may be using local airport and harbor freight as a front to smuggle the SPANK drug into Liberty City, although they have yet to thoroughly prove this. After Claude's feud with the Liberty City Triads ceases, he faces the Colombian Cartel as a new and worse enemy for the rest of the game.

While listening to the DJ on Rise FM in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories he mentions having tried a new drug on the street called "SPANK". This means that SPANK is at least in production in 1998. Miguel leads the cartel during this period as well; Catalina does not join the organization until 2001, when she shoots her boyfriend Claude and takes off with money the pair had just robbed from a bank. There are hints during various cutscenes in GTA III that she and Miguel are lovers and she has used the money from the robbery to heighten her standing in the Cartel.

Miguel is later linked to the assassination of Yakuza leader Kenji Kasen, although he actually has nothing to do with it (real estate mogul Donald Love ordered Claude to make it look like the Cartel's doing to spark a gang war and drive real estate prices down ). He is later tied up in the incomplete skyscraper in Fort Staunton by Kenji's sister Asuka and tortured non-stop for days on end until he is killed by the Cartel when they kidnap Maria and kill Asuka. Catalina assumes command of the Cartel herself. After killing Asuka and trying to escape in a helicopter, her vehicle is shot down by Claude as revenge for shooting him in the opening.

It is apparent that the Cartel is linked to Panlantic Construction, a company serving as both a legitimate construction company and a front for illegal operations. In Liberty City Stories, Cartel members are hired by Panlantic as bodyguards for Avery Carrington, who works for Panlantic and arrives in Liberty City to acquire real estate for development. After Avery is killed by Toni Cipriani, Donald Love takes over negotiations with Panlantic to seal the deal on developing Fort Staunton, which is later destroyed by bombs planted by Cipriani. In GTA III, the construction site in Fort Staunton serves as turf for the Cartel before it's seized by the Yakuza.

In Grand Theft Auto Advance, the gang is initially allied to Advance protagonist Mike, but later turn against him after suspecting Mike of killing then Cartel leader Cisco (which is revealed to actually be the work of Vinnie ). He was succeeded by an un-named lieutenant. In Advance, Cisco centers his gang operations at Francis International, Liberty City's airport.

Cartel members wear Hawaiian shirts, combat pants, hats resembling Akubras and boots in GTA III. In GTA:LCS, the same members wear red or blue shirts with brown vests, pairs of pants and jewellery.

Diablos
Appearances: GTA III, GTA:LCS

Leader: El Burro

The Diablos are an Hispanic street gang. The leader of the Diablos is El Burro (who has been under observation by police since 1997, as mentioned in GTA III's official website). The only activities known to be associated with the Diablos are prostitution, street violence and pornography, although they had also been known to engage in gun battles with the Liberty City Triads. The Diablos maintain control of Hepburn Heights in Liberty City.

The Diablos play an important role in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories being one of the gangs used by the Sicilian Mafia to attack interests of the Leone family. They are first seen when Toni Cipriani is enlisted to follow Massimo Torini, then a member of the Leone family after Salvatore Leone suspected somebody was betraying him. Massimo meets with a group of Diablos at Hepburn Heights and tells them that if they worked with his associates (later revealed to be the Sicilian Mafia) Hepburn Heights would belong to them. The Diablos then attacked the Leone family goons in a large scale battle that takes place in Hepburn Heights, where the Leones are overwhelmed by a large quantity of Diablos armed with MAC-10 sub machine guns. Following the fight the Diablos seize control of Hepburn Heights.

In Grand Theft Auto III they are involved in gang wars with the Liberty City Triads. They also appear to be having spats with the Yardies for dissing Queen Lizzy, and with the Yakuza for trying to steal some protection money, both times ending up in the slaughter of a large number of Diablo gang members. Also, around Hepburn Heights and South St Marks, there are lots of spats between themselves and the Leone Family Mafia. On these occasions, the Leone Family often win as they have pistols as weapons, whereas the Diablos often just have their fists and baseball bats.

In Grand Theft Auto III, Diablo members are seen wearing dark blue jackets donning the Diablos gang logo (a yellow crown) at the back, long pants and bandanas. In Grand Theft Auto :Liberty City Stories, Diablos members don fishnets or red bandanas on their heads, red shirts or jackets, and black or brown pants.

Diaz's gang
Appearances: GTA:VC, GTA:VCS

Leader: Ricardo Diaz

Diaz's gang, headed by drug baron Ricardo Diaz, is a Vice City-based Colombian cartel that enjoys immense power during the mid-1980s. Diaz's men wear pink or purple Hawaiian shirts, long pants, and sunglasses.

Prior to Tommy Vercetti's takeover of Vice City's underworld in 1986, Diaz's gang is by far the city's most powerful drug cartel, with Ricardo's aggressive fervor for dominating the narcotics smuggling business a defining factor in its success. He is known to request the theft of the fastest speed boat in the city for smuggling activities, and to kill all those who attempt to cut into his profits, even for stealing just a small percentage. In addition, Diaz's gang is also responsible for the ambush of Tommy Vercetti's initial drug deal with the Vance Crime Family, a botched exchange that not only forces Tommy to leave behind (and lose) both the money and narcotics as he flees the scene, but also results in the death of Vic Vance.

Later, Tommy Vercetti is given the opportunity to work for Ricardo, while Lance Vance infiltrates the gang under the name "Quentin". As Tommy is carefully concocting a plan to seize control of Ricardo's empire, Lance attempts his own overthrow prematurely, resulting not only in his failure to kill Ricardo, but his capture and torture by Diaz's gang as well. Tommy rushes to his impetuous associate's rescue, blowing his cover in the process. This forces the two to take preemptive measures before Ricardo has them both killed: the pair invade the grounds of the Diaz Mansion, killing dozens of Ricardo's men while making their way to his office, where they ruthlessly slaughter him.

The murder of its chief heralds the rapid demise of Diaz's gang, as Ricardo's mansion and all of his assets are immediately seized by the Vercetti Gang. Ricardo's organization is assumed to completely disband, due to the sudden conspicuous absence of Diaz gang members in Vice City.There weapons are pistols,UZI,and Kruger assault rifle.

Los Cabrones
Appearances: GTA:VC, GTA:VCS

Leader: Umberto Robina

The "Cuban Gang" (as named in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City), also known as Los Cabrones (as named in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories), is a Cuban-American gang led by Umberto Robina.

In Vice City, circa 1986, the Cuban Gang is the perpetual enemy of the Haitian Gang. Tommy Vercetti fights in the gang war between these two groups for both sides, but because the Haitian Gang tricks Vercetti into working with them, he completely destroys them and allies himself with the Cuban Gang, an alliance that lasts throughout the game. Umberto and Alberto Robina are also personally on good terms with Tommy himself, and regard him as Cuban. The Cuban Gang is also involved in the cocaine trade. In Vice City Stories, the gang, two years prior, is dubbed "Los Cabrones" and is the sworn enemy of the Cholos, another Hispanic gang based nearby. A war erupts between Los Cabrones and the Cholos for control of Little Havana, which sees the former emerging as the victor.

In their appearance in Vice City, the Cuban Gang/Los Cabrones members are seen wearing white sleeveless shirts, red bandanas and jeans, or a fedora hat, light yellow shirts and black pants.

Mendez Cartel
Appearances: GTA:VCS

''Leader: Armando Mendez; Diego Mendez

The Mendez Cartel is a very powerful and ruthless drug cartel operating out of Vice City since the late '70s. They arrive in Vice City around the same time as Victor Vance and supply drugs to numerous high ranking officers at Fort Baxter. The Mendez Cartel also own the mansion on Prawn Island that has been taken over by the Streetwannabes/Sharks between 1984 and 1986. After Victor Vance kills Armando and then Diego Mendez, the Cartel is officially disbanded. In 1986, the former Mendez estate is graffiti covered, and merely houses the Streetwannabes gang, until Tommy Vercetti wipes them out under the employ of Riccardo Diaz. In Vice City Stories, Mendez Cartel members are depicted as wearing suits, with light colored shirts underneath, as well as having a notable moustache or ponytail.

Cortez Crew
Appearances: GTA VC

Leader: Juan Garcia Cortez

The Cortez Crew are a group of men dressed up as sailors who are led by Colonel Juan Garcia Cortez. Cortez is working for Ricardo Diaz and Cortez ends up discovering Diaz was behind Vercetti's botched drug deal. Vercetti soon ends up helping Cortez and his men escape from Vice City on Cortez's personal yacht. This is after Cortez sent Vercetti to kill French spy Pierre La Ponce, which caught the attention from the French Secret Service.

Gonzalez's Crew
Appearances: GTA VCS

Leader: Gonzalez

Gonzalez's Crew are led by Gonzalez and are involved in Drug Running, Reni Wassulmaier introduces Vic Vance to Gonzalez and Vic then flies Gonzalez's helicopter to protect his boat, then Gonzalez invites Vic to a game of golf and later invites Vic to his hotel to task Vic with a drug deal. Ricardo Diaz later sends Victor and Lance Vance to steal some drugs of Gonzalez and bring it to his mansion. Gonzalez later sends his men to ambush the Diaz Cartel's Deal with the DEA, but thanks to Vic Vance, Gonzalez's Crew were unsuccessful. They Also make a very minor appearance in GTA VC when Tommy tries to kill Gonzalez: his Body guards(Gonzalez crew) attack Tommy but Vercetti succeeds resulting Gonzalez's death.

Costa Rican Gang
Appearances: GTA VC

The Costa Rican Gang is a group of drug smugglers that are attempting to move in on the Diaz Cartel's patch. Their leader is about to get the fastest boat in the city. Allowing them to get to deals faster than Ricardo Diaz's Men. Ricardo Diaz then sends Tommy Vercetti to steal the fastest boat before the Costa Ricans can be able to use it. The Fastest Boat is being held at the Vice City Boatyard, heavily armed with the Costa Rican Gangsters. Vercetti has to fight his way through to get the boat.

Cholos
''Appearances: GTA:VCS

In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the Cholos are the dominant Mexican gang in the Little Havana and Little Haiti districts of Vice City. They are involved in conflicts on various fronts - Phil Cassidy is fighting them for gun running dominance, while Marty Jay Williams and his Trailer Park Mafia are fighting them for dominance of nearly every other criminal activity. Their control over Little Havana begins to be threatened in 1984, when Los Cabrones begin to move into Little Havana, sparking a deadly turf war for complete control of the neighborhood. The war comes to a head when the Cholos attempt (and fail) to kill Alberto Robina, the father of the leader of Los Cabrones. After the attack, Umberto decides to launch an all out attack on the Cholos, which results in the Cholos' base of operations being destroyed, which leads to their disappearance from Little Havana.

Los Santos Vagos
Appearances: GTA:SA Los Santos Vagos is a Mexican gang found to be in league with the Ballas.

Los Santos Vagos, like the Ballas, pose a threat to Carl "CJ" Johnson, and provide an opportunity to engage in gang wars. The Vagos and the Grove Street Families have experienced an intense rivalry, but the Vagos' arch-enemies are their Latino counterparts, the Varrios Los Aztecas. After Carl and Cesar Vialpando (the leader of the Aztecas) were exiled from Los Santos, the Vagos took over all of the Aztecas' territory, until the return of the Grove Street Families allowed Carl and Cesar to regain the territory. The Los Santos Vagos were once known to be rivals of the San Fierro Rifa, but have come into good terms with them due to cooperative drug trafficking between them.

Heavily involved in the drug trade, they have a major involvement in Big Smoke's short-lived, but powerful crack empire. The Vagos' drug leader, Big Poppa, even took control of the mansion of rapper Madd Dogg when the latter was unable to pay off his debt (however, Carl and the San Fierro Triads eventually launched an offensive on the mansion, seizing it back, with Carl personally killing Big Poppa).There are two distinct clicks of the Vagos:Northside Vagos & Eastside Vagos.

The Vagos are seen wearing yellow bandanas, dressed in white tank tops with tattoos & Khaki pants. When shirtless, they are heavily tattooed.

Varrios Los Aztecas
Appearances: GTA:SA

Leader: Cesar Vialpando

based on the Sureños

Significantly less prominent than the Vagos, the Varrios Los Aztecas are a Latino gang led by Cesar Vialpando. They have formed an alliance with the Grove Street Families due to Cesar dating and intending to marry Kendl Johnson, sister of Cesar's close friend, Carl Johnson, and due to the gangs possessing common enemies. Nevertheless, Varrios will still challenge Carl Johnson if they see him on the streets, calling out insults against the Grove Street Families gang and attacking with fists or weapons. They will attack other GSF members on sight, and vice versa. The Varrios are rivals with the Vagos and the San Fierro Rifa, and are also believed to be on bad terms with the Ballas.

The Varrios are traditionally anti-narcotics, with heavy involvement in gun running and street violence, and they only have a few territories compared to other gangs, and these are clustered around the southwestern areas of Eastern Los Santos.

Varrios Los Aztecas members are mostly seen wearing turquoise bandanas and sunglasses, dressed in 'cholo' style clothing and can be seen driving lowriders and at the lowrider challenge.

San Fierro Rifa
Appearances: GTA:SA

Leader: T-Bone Mendez

San Fierro Rifa is the sole Hispanic gang based in San Fierro, later seen to be collaborating with the Ballas and Vagos in the narcotics business. The Rifa also appear to work as thugs for the Loco Syndicate, possibly because Rifa leader T-Bone Mendez is a co-leader of the Loco Syndicate. The Rifa also had a dislike towards Latino gangs in Los Santos, until they joined the narcotics business linked to the Los Santos Vagos. They appear to be rather neutral with the local Chinese Triads and the Vietnamese Da Nang Boys.

Although the Rifa are known for various clashes with Grove Street Families member Carl Johnson, they are normally not hostile towards the Families. They are the least threatening and violent on the streets, but some armed Rifas may attack CJ on sight; when the player attacks them, they usually run. Rifa members are mostly recognizable with their light blue bandanas or white hats.

Despite the death of their leader, T-Bone Mendez, the gang remains in existence in their turf throughout San Fierro, although following the destruction of their crack lab and the closure of the Loco Syndicate, it is unclear whether or not they are involved in the drug trade any further.

Uptown Yardies
Appearances: GTA III, GTA A(Advance), GTA:LCS

Leader: King Courtney

The Yardies are a Jamaican gang, led by King Courtney. They are secretly in league with the Colombian Cartel and are known to push SPANK onto Staunton Island. The Yardies and the Diablos are fighting against each other, due to derogatory comments made by the Diablos about Queen Lizzy. Yardie members are seen with dreadlocks and wear ex-army attire in GTA III, while renditions in GTA: LCS depict them in brightly colored tank tops, with or without a yellow T-shirt worn inside, jeans and brown boots.

In GTA: LCS it is revealed that Toni Cipriani helps the Yardies take over their turf in Newport from the Forelli family as a way to help corrupt cop Leon McAffrey repay an unknown favor to the Yardies that they did for him.

Haitian Gang
Appearances: GTA:VC

Leader: Auntie Poulet

The Cuban Gang's main rivals for control of the poorer neighborhoods of Little Haiti and Little Havana is the Haitian Gang, led by Auntie Poulet. Auntie Poulet gives Tommy Vercetti mind-altering drugs to make him use less-than-honest tactics in their war against the Cuban Gang. Vercetti, angered by this and spurred by his friendship with the Cuban Gang, decides to help the Cuban Gang and its leader Umberto Robina destroy the Haitian’s large drug manufacturing plant (killing many more members in the process), thereby severing all ties with Poulet and her gang. The Haitian gang colors are purple and blue.

Haitian Gang members are seen wearing either purple shirts (reading RELAX), white pants and baseball caps, or sky blue sleeveless shirts (with a purple dragon on them), jeans and bandanas.

This gang attracted attention from some Haitian-Americans as many, including two community groups, believed it portrayed Haitians negatively.

Vercetti Gang
Appearances: GTA:VC

Leader: Tommy Vercetti

The Vercetti Gang is a very powerful underworld outfit based in Vice City. It is led by Tommy Vercetti, a renegade Forelli family member who has assumed control of numerous businesses and property ventures in Vice City, circa 1986. The organization is known to be involved in various illegal enterprises, including extortion, drug dealing, counterfeiting, protection racketeering and prostitution.

Tommy Vercetti is originally dispatched by the Forelli family to Vice City to oversee a drug deal funded by Forelli money; the deal was supposed to be the beginning of the family's expansion "down south". However, after the deal is ambushed by Diaz's gang members, Tommy is forced to start over in a new town with no money or property, and aided only by Ken Rosenberg, a bent lawyer with Forelli family connections. He eventually kills the perpetrator of the drug deal ambush, Ricardo Diaz, aided by new associate, Lance Vance. Following the killing, he personally seizes several properties and business assets in the city, with no assistance from the Forelli family, forming the powerful Vercetti Gang in the process. The expansion of the Vercetti Gang throughout Vice City makes Tommy a very rich, powerful, and influential man, infuriating Sonny Forelli, the Don of the Forelli family, who demands his cut of the substantial profits. Tommy's refusal to give in prompts Sonny to send collectors to Vice City to attempt to cut into Tommy's businesses. However, Sonny's plans are immediately thwarted by Tommy's massacre of the Forelli family's collectors, precipitating a personal confrontation between Sonny and Tommy in the huge Vercetti Estate. Tommy attempts to pay Sonny with counterfeit money, but Lance reveals his scheme, resulting in a massive gunfight that leads to the deaths of Lance and many Forelli family members, including Sonny himself.

The Vercetti Gang is presumed to remain in power for an undisclosed time, until at least 1992. In the prequel film to San Andreas, The Introduction, Ken Rosenberg, who is also initiated into the Vercetti Gang in 1986, is assumed to have been abandoned by Tommy after Ken is forced into rehabilitation for prolonged cocaine abuse. Following his release, Vercetti no longer takes his calls and their relationship is dissolved. This leads to Ken's subsequent assignment as a middleman for the Leone, Forelli and Sindacco families over Caligula's Casino in Las Venturas, and his later employment as an accountant to rapper Madd Dogg.

Members of the Vercetti Gang wear blue or Hawaiian shirts, long pants and sunglasses. The term "Vercetti Gang" is used only once in the game, despite Tommy's protests, by Delores, the Kaufman Cabs dispatcher. The Gang's turf is anywhere where Tommy Vercetti has bought assets, and their business is counterfeiting cash, distributing drugs, illegal street racing, but have some legal businesses such as Kaufman Cabs taxi company and the boatyard.


 * The Vercetti gang is organized similar to an Italian-American mafia family. Practicing illegal actives of protection, extortion, money laundering and is heavily involved in drug trafficking.  The Vercetti gang can also be described as a drug cartel involved in trafficking large amounts of cocaine.

Vance Crime Family
Appearances: GTA:VC, GTA:VCS

Leader: Victor Vance

At the beginning of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and throughout Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, the Vance Crime Family is made up of two leaders Victor and Lance Vance, of which Victor is the main leader. Victor turns to dealing in narcotics and prostitution for his commanding rank in the vance family order to earn enough money to pay the medical costs of his ill brother, Pete Vance. These actions lead to his discharge from the United States Army, and his subsequent association with known members of the Vice City underworld. It is at this point that the Vance Crime Family is known to have been formed and to have seized control of many businesses and assets from other prominent gangs in Vice City, eventually becoming a large-scale operation with individual businesses protected by armed security hired by Victor. However, for two years after the events of Vice City Stories, in which Victor and Lance agree to leave Vice City and temporarily "live off" the money they had made, the whereabouts of the Vance Crime Family remain a mystery until 1986, when we learn the fates of Victor and Lance. Victor is killed by members of Diaz's gang during the ambushed narcotics exchange that sets in motion the events portrayed in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. By this time, Vice City is under the complete control of the Vercetti Gang. Lance Vance is killed by the gang's leader, Tommy Vercetti, for having betrayed him.

Liberty City Triads
Appearances: GTA III, GTA:LCS, GTA IV, GTA IV: The Lost and Damned, GTA:CW, GTA:The Ballad of Gay Tony

In GTA III, the Liberty City Triads are a gang made up of people of Chinese origin based in Portland Island. Though the Liberty City Triads appear to be a petty street gang, it is evident that they are beginning to dabble in organized crime; including extortion, most notably that of Mr. Wong's Laundrette, which is the source of several problems for the Leone family, as well as pushing drugs for the Colombian Cartel via "Chunky" Lee Chong, which gives the Leone family mafia even more reason to be in a war with them. They also own The Turtle's Head Fish Factory in Callahan Point, Portland. They are the initial enemy of Claude, while he works for the Leone family. An all-out war between the Triads and the Leones erupts as the Triads attempt to muscle in on Leone businesses in Chinatown, which the Triads hold majority control over. The war concludes after three of the Triad warlords are assassinated and their fish factory is destroyed by a Mafia truck bomb (interestingly enough, the warehouse belonged to the Leones during Liberty City Stories until the Triads blew it up). While it is improbable to say that the Triads are finished in Liberty City, they have definitely been irrevocably weakened because of the loss of their most powerful front.

In GTA III, Triad members wear blue boiler suits and black bandanas. In GTA:LCS, they wear blue tracksuits with their gang logo on the back, black or blue pants, and black sunglasses.

In GTA IV, Triads appear in the game around Chinatown in Algonquin. Niko seals the infamous shipment of "cursed" Heroin from them on behalf of the Pegorino Family. It is said that there are three different sets making of the Liberty Triad in the LCPD Database. One group of Triads are under Hsin Jaoming (who is the overall triad boss) and his son Chan Jaoming. Another is led by Wu "Kenny" Lee and his nephew Huang Lee (the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars). The third is controlled by Zhou Ming. The Jaoming Triad is said to supply the Angels of Death and Korean Mob with narcotics. The Triads also make an appearance in the GTA IV expansion pack The Lost and Damned, where it is revealed that they originally sold the shipment of Heroin to the Angels of Death, before stealing it back from The Lost.

The Liberty City Triads play a central role in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, in which they also have a base of operations in Cerveza Heights.

The Tongs
Appearances: GTA:CW

The Tongs are Chinese criminal society established in the Liberty City crime world. Different from the Triads, they are referenced numerous times by Triad members during "GTA: Chinatown Wars", such as underboss Wu "Kenny" Lee, who tries to gain favour with them in order to climb the Triad hierarchy. Implying that the Tongs are a powerful criminal group with significant influence over the triads, who as according to Kenny, if in Liberty City one is to become a Triad boss, it is prudent to gain favor with the Tongs first.

San Fierro Triads
Appearances: GTA:SA

The San Fierro Triads are large gangs originating from Hong Kong, who have since moved to San Fierro. There are three Triad factions in San Fierro consisting of a set hierarchy with small sets answering to larger sets; the Blood Feather Triad, which are later slaughtered by the Da Nang Boys. The Red Gecko Tong led by Ran Fa Li, and the Mountain Cloud Boys, the most prominent gang in the group, operated by the blind Wu Zi Mu and answers to the Red Gecko Tong.

The sets of the SF Triads are heavily involved in joint operations and avoid violent conflict between the Triad factions, with the Mountain Cloud Boys establishing an alliance with the Red Gecko Tong. The SF Triads are also allied with the Grove Street Families, and are rivals with the Italian Mafia, the Da Nang Boys, and the Loco Syndicate.

In addition to their bases of operations in San Fierro, the SF Triads also own and operate a casino hotel venture called The Four Dragons on the Las Venturas Strip; ownership shared between Wu Zi Mu, Ran Fa Li and Carl Johnson. Because of intense Mafia pressure in the city, the Chinese Triads attempt to flex their muscles to show the Mafia that they can hold their own on The Strip. While the SF Triad's prime business is gambling, Woozie has shown motivations towards robbery and street racing.

Carl Johnson, having been exiled from Los Santos after the fall of the Grove Street Families, works for Wu Zi Mu's faction and helps them to destroy the Loco Syndicate and neutralize the Da Nang Boys (the Triads, on the other hand, seem to be on neutral relations with San Fierro's other gang, the Rifa). In return the Triads aid Carl in robbing Caligula's Casino, give him a share in The Four Dragons Casino, and help him in seizing Madd Dogg's mansion back from a drug dealer so the Grove Street Families could spearhead their return. The mansion serves as CJ's own base of operations in his return to Los Santos.

SF Triad members don all-black suits or all-grey suits. Some carry AK-47s. While the Triad gang members appear on the streets in Chinatown, Calton Heights & Financial, San Fierro, they do not appear on Las Venturas streets, even areas surrounding The Four Dragons Casino, although they can be seen on several cut-scenes and missions.

Vice City Triads
Appearances: GTA:VC

The Vice City-based Triad is a gang that appears and are mentioned only briefly in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and it is arguable that they are not Vice City based at all, but a Liberty City or San Andreas based group in Vice City on business. They are only known to be involved in counterfeiting business, supplying printing plates of money to an unspecified Florida-based counterfeiting syndicate They are prominently involved in one mission where Tommy Vercetti is assigned to break into a container ship and extract information from the boss of the gang on the location of a printing plate shipment. The gang is also known to run a shipping company at Viceport, Vice City's harbor, where this gang is operating from a ship.

Yakuza
Appearances: GTA I, GTA II, GTA III, GTA (Advance), GTA:LCS

The Liberty City Yakuza is a Japanese criminal organization operating in Liberty City, assumed to have been around since the 1970s, headed by siblings Asuka Kasen and Kenji Kasen. Their prime activities are gambling and protection and they are the dominate crime syndicate on Staunton Island. The Yakuza are rivals with the Colombian Cartel, Yardies, and the Italian Mafia.

Initially, Claude is invited by the Yakuza to work for them, after having severing ties with the Leone family. However, while working for Donald Love, Claude frames the Colombian Cartel for the assassination of Kenji, resulting in a war between the Yakuza and the Cartel. Angered by the death of her brother, Asuka vows to "hunt down" the Colombian Cartel with the help of Claude, while capturing and torturing Cartel member Miguel for information. In the process, the Yakuza also take Fort Staunton, a Cartel turf. Later, Asuka is killed by Cartel members, although Fort Staunton remains in the control of the Yakuza. The successor to the Yakuza`s leadership would probably be Kanbu a high ranking Yakuza member who Claude rescues from jail. The Yakuza is the only significant gang that aids Claude throughout its appearance in Grand Theft Auto III.

In Liberty City Stories, the Yakuza is led by Kazuki Kasen, Asuka and Kenji's older brother. While not a major power in Liberty City yet, they are stocking up on weapons (including a tank) and are prepared to claim a large portion of the city as their turf. Their efforts are thwarted by Leone family Caporegime Toni Cipriani with the help of Kazuki's angry and neglected wife, Toshiko, however they are successful in taking the Torrington District, including the Sindacco family-owned Big Shot Casino (which they have changed to Kenji's Casino by GTA III).

Yakuza members wear colorful suits and jewelry. In GTA:LCS, Yakuza members sport tattoos.

Korean Mob/Midtown Gangsters
Appearances: GTA IV, GTA:CW

In GTA IV, the Korean Mob is based in Alderney City, where they frequent Mr. Fuk's Rice Box. Originally they were led by a North Korean, Kim Young-Guk, whom Niko Bellic and Derrick McReary assist in bringing counterfeit money into Liberty City by boat. But Kim is later killed by Niko as a favor to Jon Gravelli and the man known of only as United Liberty Paper. In addition to their ties to the Irish Mob through Derrick McReary; the Koreans are also known to work with the Liberty City Triads. They appear to share the Alderney City turf with the Spanish Lords in relative peace.

The Koreans also make an appearance in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, and are called the Midtown Gangsters, a possible reference to New York City's Koreatown in Midtown Manhattan. Since the game does not take place in Alderney, the Koreans are instead based in Bohan.

Da Nang Boys
Appearances: GTA:SA

The Da Nang Boys (named after the Vietnam region and city of Da Nang) are a Vietnamese criminal organization based in San Fierro, preparing a full move to the US. They are extremely violent, with major interests in protection, narcotics and human trafficking, they control the dockland/bay area in Easter Basin and possibly a freight ship anchored out in San Fierro bay, often causing disturbance. The Da Nang Boys are also at war with local Triad gangs and are responsible for the massacre of the Blood Feather Triad. With the help of CJ, the Triads respond with an aerial massacre on one of the Da Nang Boy's freight ships, resulting in the death of many members and their leader, Snakehead.

While the Da Nang Boys are portrayed as a major Vietnamese gang in the city, two other sects, the Shining Razors and the Butterfly Children, are mentioned in the game and in the official San Andreas website, and are said to be active in Easter Basin.

The Da Nang Boys are seen wearing either street attire (in the form of Army t-shirts and pants), or traditional robes.

Cartwright Crew
Appearances: GTA:London 1961, GTA: London 1969

Catwright crew is a gang led by one of London's crime lord Harold Cartwright. The gang is ran from 1961 to 1969 by Harold Cartwright, until he is killed. The gang most likely dissolved as most of the members were killed.

Parkinson Mob
Appearances: GTA:London 1961, GTA:London 1969

Jack Parkinson is an up and coming crime lord. He pays protection to Albert and Archie Crisp but plans on becoming the biggest crime lord in London and is willing to kill anyone who gets in his way, including the Crisp Brothers.

Crisp Firm
Appearances: GTA:London 1961, GTA:London 1969

Albert and Archie Crisp are London's fearest underworld figures. Despite controlling the city's rackets for years, the "Twins" always have to look over their businesses from rival gangsters such as Harold Cartwright.

Loco Syndicate
Appearances: GTA:SA

While better classified as a joint business venture, the Loco Syndicate is a collective illegal outfit dealing with drugs, primarily cocaine. The Syndicate has its main operations based in San Fierro, and is made up of San Fierro's most powerful pimp Jizzy B, the leader of the San Fierro Rifa T-Bone Mendez and the mysterious businessman (later revealed to be an undercover Government agent) Mike Toreno. Big Smoke, who started up a large crack-cocaine empire, later establishes a business deal with the Syndicate, sending his number two man, Ryder, as his formal representative to conduct business. The Loco Syndicate is the largest drug cartel in San Fierro and one of the most powerful in San Andreas, before Carl Johnson kills Ryder, Jizzy B and T-Bone Mendez consequently causing the Loco Syndicate to disband. Toreno then returns to his usual Government duties and Big Smoke's narcotics empire ceases transactions with San Fierro.

Streetwannabes/Sharks
Appearances: GTA:VC, GTA:VCS

The Streetwannabes is a gang of thugs that hang out around outside the North Point Mall and in several dilapidated mansions in Prawn Island as of GTA: VC, but are hardly a threat to any of the other gangs in Vice City. The only highlight of their gang's history was being part of an aerial massacre that resulted in many of them getting killed. It is also suggested that they are involved in arms running. They apparently are on bad terms with Mitch Baker's Biker Gang and in one mission they even steal his prized motorcycle and keep it captive in a motor garage in Downtown. The leader of the gang (name unknown) betrays Ricardo Diaz and steals his shipment of drugs. Diaz orders the killing of him (and many other members in the aforementioned aerial slaughter).

The Streetwannabes are known as the Sharks in Vice City Stories and are located in the East Island of Vice City; they manage a number of rackets, which Victor eventually takes over. After Victor takes over one of their businesses, the Sharks do not back down in their attacks until all of their businesses have been taken. Often, they chase Victor in their Gang Ranchers, or sometimes attempt to destroy his empire sites.

They are listed as the "Streetwannabe's," with use of the apostrophe, in the Vice City stats, but the Shark logos on the back of their denim jackets, along with graffiti on buildings and their gang cars, has led some to call them the Sharks. The Streetwannabes are mostly seen wearing denim jackets, jeans and red bandanas. In GTA:VCS the Sharks are seen wearing brightly coloured shirts, light brown or grey pants and berets.

Certain other "gangs" in Vice City are also listed as Streetwannabes. This includes army soldiers and "gangs" that show up in certain missions, such as the Forelli family in the final mission, the attackers in the "All Hands on Deck!" mission, and the courier and bodyguards of a counterfeiting syndicate in the "Hit the Courier" mission (it is unknown why the counterfeiting syndicate is made up of women).

Avenging Angels
Appearances: GTA:LCS

The Avenging Angels are a vigilante group who patrol various areas throughout Liberty City. In GTA:LCS, the player may opt to work with the Avenging Angels and recruit members of the organization in side missions. Members are required to don a beret and jacket, similar to the uniform of the real-life Guardian Angels. However, Avenging Angels berets are black (although in the PS2 version, they wear black beanies instead) and the jackets are green, as opposed to the red used on both the berets and jackets of the Guardian Angels. Avenging Angels also sport long combat pants and a T-shirt of varied designs and colors.

Their leader is Jesus Sentenz, also known as "Max". Although Sentenz never appears in-game, the official Liberty City Stories website features an "e-mail" from him in which he explains that "We protect street people from tha streets, and the streets from street people. Cause the streets respect the Avenging Angels man, and if they don't, we put them down on tha streets" and "the cops don't stop no crime, the cops don't help people and all that, the cops ain't positive, man". He also explains that an old lady being beaten to death at the hands of the Avenging Angels was a case of mistaken identity and says "you show me someone whose hasn't bin falsely incarcerated or shot by police and I'll show you a liar".

Security Guards
Appearances: GTA:VC, GTA:VCS The Security guards are divided into two main subsects: Patrol Invest Group (P.I.G.) and DBP Security. Patrol Invest Group, is a security firm that mainly operates as a legitimate security force in Vice City, but they are involved in some illegal protection services. Their "turf," so to speak, are the areas of North Point Mall, Escobar International Airport, Leaf Links Golf Club, and Starfish Island. The P.I.G. appear in missions as hired protection for Congressman Alex Shrub and the band Love Fist. They also attack the Streetwannabes, Vercetti Gang, and the VCPD police officers. DBP Security are a smaller security firm that attempt to move in on some of Tommy Vercetti's protection rackets in Ocean Beach, which prompts him to kill all the guards involved and destroy their office. They also have links to the Vice City Triads, helping them with their illegal money printing operation by providing protection for them. In 1984, in Vice City Stories, the P.I.G. are still seen in the mall or around the airport, but they have not yet established themselves as a gang and haven't turned to crime yet.

Mexican Arms Dealers
Appearances: GTA VC

The Mexican Arms Dealers are a small time gang doing arms dealing across Vice City. The Mexican Arms Dealer's leader, Pedro Garcia, is rivals with Phil Cassidy, another arms dealer. After Vercetti's Bank Job, Phil calls Vercetti and invites him for some work, Phil wanted to highjack 4 weapons from 4 white Walton pickup trucks, there was two convoys of the trucks, one in Downtown and one in Little Haiti, Vercetti gets two guns off them and some Mexicans call for backup. Many Mexicans arrive on Faggio moped bikes and try to kill Vercetti, but Vercetti manages to get the other two guns and kills all the Mexicans. Pedro Garcia may have been one of those attacking Mexicans.

Counterfeit Syndicate
Appearances: GTA VC

The Counterfeit Syndicate is strangely a group of heavily armed women who are Florida-based. The Syndicate is devoted primarily to counterfeiting currency. In the GTA VC Mission "Hit The Courier", Tommy Vercetti ambushes the Syndicate in order to get some Counterfeiting Plates. The Counterfeit Syndicate has the Vice City Triads provide them with plates of specific currency they want to counterfeit.

South African Arms Dealers
Appearances: TBOGT

The South African Arms Dealers are a gang of Afrikaners who traffic in arms, drugs and human beings. They were led by Fricke van Hardenburg. They were killed by Luis Lopez when he stole an attack helicopter from their yacht and then used it to destroy it. He did this on the orders of Yusuf Amir, who simply wanted the chopper but also killed the South Africans.

Notes and references

 * Official Brady Games Strategy Guides:
 * GTA III
 * GTA: Vice City
 * GTA: San Andreas
 * GTA: Liberty City Stories
 * GTA: Vice City Stories
 * GTA: IIII