Italian-American crime groups

Italian-American crime groups, often called mafias or Cosa Nostra, are organized criminal networks originating from Italian immigrants, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. They operate through hierarchies of leaders, underbosses, and soldiers, engaging in illegal activities like extortion, gambling, loan-sharking, and drug trafficking. These groups maintain strict codes of loyalty and secrecy, often enforcing discipline through violence. While historically associated with certain U.S. cities like New York and Chicago, their influence has waned but continues to exist in various forms, working both openly and covertly to profit from illicit enterprises.