Star Wars revolves around the Light and Dark Sides of the Force, but it's more than just space wizards in a galactic battle of good versus evil. While Jedi and Sith have dominated many stories both on screen and in books, crime syndicates have often appeared as either allies or enemies of the protagonists.
The first crime syndicate to appear onscreen in Star Wars was run by Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine. However, there are dozens of others throughout the universe that wield influence while presenting danger. These syndicates reveal what so people in the universe fear on a base level.
10 Shadow Collective
This short-lived collective brought several crime syndicates into an alliance, creating a bigger and more powerful criminal organization. Led by Darth Maul, the Shadow Collective also served as an unofficial Sith Order to challenge Palpatine. Maul, along with Crimson Dawn, teamed up with Death Watch, the Pykes, Black Sun, and the Hutts.
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The Shadow Collective led the siege of Mandalore that destroyed the home world of many beloved characters. The Collective is able to attract the attention of Palpatine, which leads to Maul's capture and the dissolution of the Collective.
9 Smugglers Alliance
This group is, in general, the nicest criminal organization in Star Wars. Founded by Talon Karrde, the Smugglers' Alliance formed after the Rebels succeeded in destroying the first Death Star. It grew to its most powerful following the death of Jabba the Hutt. Star Wars Legends author Timothy Zahn identified the Alliance as representative of Han Solo had he not joined the Rebellion.
Formed to be the complete opposite of Jabba's criminal empire, the Smugglers' Alliance demonstrates loyalty and a relative amount of honor to gain allies and members. The smugglers often align themselves with the New Republic in standing against Grand Admiral Thrawn and Yuuzhan Vong.
8 Crymorah Syndicate
Before the fall of the Galactic Republic, the Crymorah Syndicate was an extremely powerful criminal force. This syndicate is the one who helped train a young Jabba the Hutt until he earned a strong enough reputation to gain a seat on the Hutt Council.
The Crymorah would sell information to the Empire and attempt to seize rebel cells resisting the Empire. Crymorah had no respect for others, as they would often betray the Empire by using pirates to raid Imperial supply lines.The Crymorah teamed up with a band of Separatist-era battle droids to aid in their actions against the Empire.
7 Bando Gora
Both a cult and a crime syndicate, the Bando Gora is known for its trade of death sticks. The group gained power following the invasion of Naboo. Their power growth threatened Palpatine's evil plans, causing him to seek Count Dooku on the syndicate.
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The Bando Gora encompasses an army of assassins and has influence across the galaxy. The cult was destroyed by Jango Fett, which led to Count Dooku recruiting the bounty hunter for the source of the Clone army.
6 Pyke Syndicate
Primarily "Spice Runners," the Pyke Syndicate is known for their uses of slave labor. In the Star Wars universe, Spice is a "mind-altering drug" distributed by smugglers. While having a presence on Tatooine, the Pykes are best known for their work in the Spice mines of Kessel.
The Pykes joined up with Maul's two collectives, the Shadow Collective and the Five Syndicates, and played a major role in the conquest of Mandalore. The Pykes are known to be extremely ruthless. They control several patrol ships and freighters to aid in their Spice Running.
5 Black Sun
While Black Sun may not be as recognized as Crimson Dawn or the Hutts, it is likely the largest criminal enterprise in Star Wars in terms of sheer numbers. Black Sun has a presence on every planet in the Star Wars galaxy. The syndicate oversees illegal activity on Coruscant during the rise of Palpatine.
Despite its struggles, Black Sun did work out a tenuous, at best, relationship with the Empire. The syndicate also joined Darth Maul's Shadow Collective and played a key role in what would happen to Mandalore.
4 Hutt Cartel
While Jabba is the most famous Hutt, the entire Clan runs a criminal cartel that features some of the most notorious gangsters finding homes near the Hutt. Jabba's own criminal empire deserves its own entry, but the rest of the Hutt still function like the mafia. The Hutt Council uses intimidation, taxes and control of hyperspace lanes to conduct their criminal activities.
At one time, it was believed the Hutt cartel came to an end after being destroyed in battle by Darth Vader and Jabba the Hutt's defeat by Leia Organa. However, the Hutt Twins' appearance in The Book of Boba Fett implies that the sneaky and untrustworthy clan is trying to rebuild its assets.
3 Jabba the Hutt's Criminal Empire
While the Hutt ran its own collective cartel, Jabba became the most formidable kingpin with his own criminal empire. Jango took control of Tatooine after his rival Gardulla the Hutt was assassinated by Jango Fett. He ran a smuggling empire that employed several important smugglers, including Han Solo and Chewbacca.
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In Legends material, Jabba actually has several Jedi killed during the height of the Jedi Order's strength. In canon, the Republic and the Separatists compete with each other for an alliance with Jabba. Meanwhile, once the Empire takes over, Jabba aligns with them, giving stormtroopers access to the syndicate's territory while also allowing the syndicate to perform its crimes.
2 Crimson Dawn
Starting as a band of brutal marauders, Crimson Dawn raided planets for their resources. But when former Sith Lord Maul took over, it grew into one of the most dangerous crime syndicates in the galaxy. Maul was motivated by his abandonment by Darth Sidious to steal galactic dominance away from the Emperor.
Crimson Dawn features several key players including Maul, Qi'ra, and Dryden Vos who all play a role in the early formations of Han Solo as a smuggler. Crimson Dawn often works with other syndicates in collectives designed to instill fear across the galaxy.
1 Zann Consortium
Tyber Zann founded the Zann Consortium in the Legends continuity. This crime syndicate is well-equipped and well organized with its connections to bounty hunters and special agents completely loyal to Zann. This consortium is one of few to have major issues with both the Galactic Empire and Jabba the Hutt's criminal empire.
Despite the syndicate's issues with the Empire and the Hutt, the Zann Consortium also fought against the Black Sun and the Rebel Alliance. The consortium had dissolved at some point by the time of the Daala campaign.