Last April US jury convicted the famous criminal gang member Hollywood Mike, aka Capone. It seems there can be nothing more typically American than a gangster by the name of Capone. Only this time it’s not about Italians, but Armenians, German newspaper Bild writes in an article entitled “New Sicily arrives from Armenia.”

The newspaper also touches on the generation change of the American mafia: “Currently family does not play as big a role in mafia as it once used to. This is one of the consequences of globalization. The closed borders of ethnicity, so important before, are open today. For instance, Armenian Power gang often cooperates with the Russians and Меxicans.”

The newspaper sent a query to the US FBI agents, asking to point out to the most influential national gangs currently operating in the US territory. According to the information received, Armenians, African immigrants, Americans and Russians are among the new mafiosos. 

“Armenians have primarily established their zone of influence in Southern California. Armenian mafia is not that famous outside California shores. During 3 decades, the Armenian mafia has engaged 250 members in its operation. Armenians have big ties worldwide and act through such persons, as Hollywood Mike, for instance.”

Armenian Power gang started in the 1980s in Eastern Hollywood. The young migrants had united to survive in the dangerous streets of Los Angeles, where other ethnic groupings played the master. Armenians were soon able to cooperate with other ethnic groupings, expanding the scope of their influence,” the newspaper concludes, referring to the answer sent by the FBI in response to its query.