criminal underworld

Translations
преступный мир
The detective had to infiltrate the criminal underworld to gather information.
Детективу пришлось проникнуть в преступный мир, чтобы собрать информацию.
Definitions
The criminal underworld refers to the network of individuals and organizations involved in illegal activities, often operating outside the law and engaging in organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other illicit enterprises.