The Bugs (Bugsy) and Meyer Mob was a Jewish-American street gang in Manhattan, New York City's Lower East Side.
The Bugs and Meyer mob acted as a predecessor to Murder, Inc. Lansky and his friends organized a protective society in order to defend against the Italian and Irish gangs.
Lansky and his younger brother Jacob, were joined by Meyer "Mike" Wassell, Samuel "Red" Levine, Irving "Tabbo" Sandler, Joseph "Doc" Stacher, and several others.
[1] Returning home from school one day, Lansky witnessed a street craps game break out into a fight when police whistles were heard.
[6] The gang grew a violent reputation as they would extort money from Jewish moneylenders and storekeepers, as well as Irish and Italian shop owners and gamblers.
[1] The Bugs and Meyer mob fronted illegal operations by owning a car and truck rental garage that served as a warehouse for stolen goods.
[10][11] Lansky also assisted Luciano with the murder of Salvatore Maranzano by recruiting Jewish hitmen that included Siegel, Red Levine, and Abraham "Bo" Weinberg.