Recent and Current Status
The Solntsevskaya bratva have many business interests with legitimate business groups. Law enforcement believe in addition to offering these groups "protection" the gang also assist the businesses when it comes to not-so-legal matters.
Though it is considered one of the most powerful Russian organized crime groups, it is difficult for law enforcement to accurately measure the strength and influence of the family, since many racketeers declaring themselves "solntsevskaya" only do so to be feared and respected, and are not actually affiliated with the organization, and there is also frequent internal fighting within the group.
A 2003 report for the United States, revealed the organization had a presence in San Francisco, New York, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Miami, and Chicago, and was working with local drug cartels as well as being involved in money laundering, prostitution, credit card fraud, human trafficking, arms deals and other illegal activity.
Read more about this topic: Solntsevskaya Bratva
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