Mali Boys, also known as Mali Strip, are a gang from the areas of Leyton (E10) and Walthamstow (E17) of Waltham Forest. They are divided into two sets, with LTizzy representing E10 and SJ representing E17.
The gang is named after Somalis, due to many of their founding members being of Somali descent, but it is ethnically diverse. The Mali Boys emerged in 2015 after splitting off from the Beaumont Crew gang. The gang is known to control the drug trade in the area and has connections with other organized crime groups in London.
In 2019, the gang was reported to have around 40-50 members and was responsible for hundreds of violent attacks and a number of killings, leading to the gangs reputation for extreme violence. The Mali Boys are involved in criminal child exploitation and grooming of young children. They are also reported to operate county lines drug networks, a form of drug trafficking where urban gangs expand their drug dealing activities to other areas through dedicated mobile phone lines.
The Mali Boys are not active on social media and seek anonymity, though it has been reported they use Facebook to monitor police officials. The gang has a reputation for being the most business-driven, violent, and ruthless street gang in Waltham Forest, according to a report commissioned by the local council.
The Mali Boys have alliances with several smaller local gangs, such as Drive & Marlowe (DM), Boundary, Coppermill, and Stoneydown. Police sources estimate that the gang generates approximately £50,000 per week from its drug sales. The gang has been involved in a ‘turf war’ with a group known as Priory Court or Higham Hill, leading to several retaliatory acts of violence.
The Mali Boys have been responsible for several high-profile murders in East London. In March 2018, Joseph Williams-Torres was shot and killed in Walthamstow by members of the Mali Boys. He had mistakenly been identified as a gang member and was not the intended target. In January 2019, 14-year old Jaden Moodie was stabbed to death nine times by a group of Mali Boys members in Leyton. Jaden was associated with rival gang Beaumont Crew and was allegedly out drug dealing at the time of his death.
In November 2021, five members of the Mali Boys were found guilty of supplying class A drugs to Essex. The gang’s involvement in drug trafficking is a source of concern for law enforcement agencies, as it poses a threat to public safety and contributes to the rise in violent crime in the area.
Mali Boys, also known as Mali Strip, are a gang from the areas of Leyton (E10) and Walthamstow (E17) of Waltham Forest. They are divided into two sets, with LTizzy representing E10 and SJ representing E17.
The Mali Boys roots lay with the older and once dominant Beaumont Boys gang located on the Beaumont Estate in Leyton, E10. Somali members who would gain access to the drugs market from the more experienced Jamaican olders would eventually organise the Somali youth under their wing and break off to form their own organisation, becoming rivals.
Unlike other gangs who beef over postcodes or personal issues, Mali Boys beef is often based upon their imposing onto the drug turf of other gangs.
While the Mali Boys maintain a very low profile on social media, they have been known to use it to gather information on rivals and police for the purpose of intimidation and fear. They have been known to spy and maintain very detailed records on police stations, undercover police officers and cars. In some instances, they have been known to force local business owners to destroy CCTV footage that could be used by authorities to link members to crimes.
In conclusion, the Mali Boys are an extremely violent and dangerous street gang operating in East London. They control the drug trade in the area and have connections with other organized crime groups. The gang has been responsible for several high-profile murders and is involved in criminal child exploitation and grooming. The Mali Boys seek anonymity and are not active on social media, making them difficult to track. Law enforcement agencies must take strong measures to combat the gang’s activities and ensure public safety in the area.
Notable Members: Richi (former), Baby Mane, MB, Chico, Rondo, JV, Sylent, LA, J Mafta, Killa Kurse, Trappyso, Lito, Ghino, JB, Blacka, Ejay (deceased), Hammers, Lzz
Allies: Drive/ GMB/ DM (Walthamstow/ E17), Boundary (Walthamstow/ E17)
Opps: 6th/ ACG (Beckton, E6), Beaumont Boys/ LGR (Leyton Green), BHR (Blackhorse Lane), Priory Court, Higham Hill, Woodford, Chingford, Leytonstone