RGV Gangs
Mara Salvatrucha 13 (America's Most Dangerous Gang)
Mara is a Salvadoran word for gang, and the word,
Salvatrucha means Salvadorian guy.
Many Salvadorian refugees fled the civil war in El Salvador during
the 1980’s and relocated in the Rampart area of Los Angeles, California. As with any gang, there are several versions as to how the gang formed. The first version states that the Salvadoran youths, after arriving in Los Angeles were accepted by the existing Hispanic gangs, particularly the 18th Street Gang.Supposedly, these juveniles were widely accepted by the gangs because of the
combat experience they had received during the civil war in El Salvador. Soon, differences arose and the Salvadorans broke from the pre-existing gangs to begin forming Mara Salvatrucha cliques on their own. Another version of the Mara Salvatrucha
origin states that after relocating in the Rampart area of Los Angeles, the youths became targets of the already established Hispanic gangs and for their own self protection and the protection of their families, they formed the gang.Since there are no exact statistics, it is difficult to estimate number of cliques or the number of members but it has been estimated that MS-13 has over 15,000 members and associates in at least 115 different cliques in 42 states, and these numbers are increasing. The areas with the greatest concentration are Southern California, sources also indicate a strong presence of Mara Salvatrucha in the states of Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, unfortunately here in the Rio Grande Valley and Utah. As well as in foreign countries, like Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. It is estimated that there are over 250,000 Mara Salvatrucha members in Central America.
The MS is also known as Mara Salvatrucha-13, MS 13, and MS XIII. They consider the number “13” to be lucky and it also shows an alliance with Southern California Hispanic gangs. The number “13” is a
reference to the thirteenth letter of the alphabet which is “M.”As further evidence of the MS alignment with Southern California, they may also use the terms Sureño, Sureño 13, Sur or Sur 13. MS members have been known to tattoo MS related symbols on much of their body, head to toe. Gang members may carry a bandana typically blue, but sometimes black around with them and may wear it around their wrist, neck, forehead, or pocket. MS-13 members like to wear sports clothing that displays strategic numbers like 13, 23, or 3. They also wear jerseys that show the gang colors of blue or black. They are also known to wear white. Members also will wear Nike Air Jordan hats with the Air Jordan logo resembling their hand sign. New York Yankees apparel is also a favorite of MS-13 members. It is important to note that many young people wear these colors and sport clothing and these indicators alone should not be viewed
as evidence of gang membership.
The rapid spread of the Mara Salvatrucha to many parts of the United
States has not gone unnoticed. The entire gang is on the verge of becoming the
first gang to be categorized as an "organized crime" entity. The MS seen to
thrive on violence and in my opinion, they are determined to spread fear
everywhere they can obtain a base of operations.
Mara is a Salvadoran word for gang, and the word,
Salvatrucha means Salvadorian guy.
Many Salvadorian refugees fled the civil war in El Salvador during
the 1980’s and relocated in the Rampart area of Los Angeles, California. As with any gang, there are several versions as to how the gang formed. The first version states that the Salvadoran youths, after arriving in Los Angeles were accepted by the existing Hispanic gangs, particularly the 18th Street Gang.Supposedly, these juveniles were widely accepted by the gangs because of the
combat experience they had received during the civil war in El Salvador. Soon, differences arose and the Salvadorans broke from the pre-existing gangs to begin forming Mara Salvatrucha cliques on their own. Another version of the Mara Salvatrucha
origin states that after relocating in the Rampart area of Los Angeles, the youths became targets of the already established Hispanic gangs and for their own self protection and the protection of their families, they formed the gang.Since there are no exact statistics, it is difficult to estimate number of cliques or the number of members but it has been estimated that MS-13 has over 15,000 members and associates in at least 115 different cliques in 42 states, and these numbers are increasing. The areas with the greatest concentration are Southern California, sources also indicate a strong presence of Mara Salvatrucha in the states of Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, unfortunately here in the Rio Grande Valley and Utah. As well as in foreign countries, like Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador. It is estimated that there are over 250,000 Mara Salvatrucha members in Central America.
The MS is also known as Mara Salvatrucha-13, MS 13, and MS XIII. They consider the number “13” to be lucky and it also shows an alliance with Southern California Hispanic gangs. The number “13” is a
reference to the thirteenth letter of the alphabet which is “M.”As further evidence of the MS alignment with Southern California, they may also use the terms Sureño, Sureño 13, Sur or Sur 13. MS members have been known to tattoo MS related symbols on much of their body, head to toe. Gang members may carry a bandana typically blue, but sometimes black around with them and may wear it around their wrist, neck, forehead, or pocket. MS-13 members like to wear sports clothing that displays strategic numbers like 13, 23, or 3. They also wear jerseys that show the gang colors of blue or black. They are also known to wear white. Members also will wear Nike Air Jordan hats with the Air Jordan logo resembling their hand sign. New York Yankees apparel is also a favorite of MS-13 members. It is important to note that many young people wear these colors and sport clothing and these indicators alone should not be viewed
as evidence of gang membership.
The rapid spread of the Mara Salvatrucha to many parts of the United
States has not gone unnoticed. The entire gang is on the verge of becoming the
first gang to be categorized as an "organized crime" entity. The MS seen to
thrive on violence and in my opinion, they are determined to spread fear
everywhere they can obtain a base of operations.
Mexican Mafia
Other Names: EME, Emily, Emeros
The Mexican Mafia prison gang, or La Eme, was formed in late 1950's in the California Department of Corrections. It originally was a street gang in urban Los Angles. It is known for it's violent acts towards anyone who is perceived to have crossed them. They primarily ethnic solidarity and control of drug trafficking.
The EME is primarily comprised of Mexican-Americans and has spread to many other states and is very active in the Federal prison system. La Eme is most active in the California and Texas prison systems. However, in Texas, the Mexican Mafia is called The Mexikanemi.
A member who was an exception to the Hispanic race and ethnicity was Joe Morgan. Morgan was of Yugoslavian decent and in addition to his drug connections for La Eme, due to the fact that he was Caucasian, he was instrumental in aligning La Eme with the Aryan Brotherhood as allies. The structure of the EME prison gang consists of a chain of command whereby instructions from generals are carried out by captains, lieutenants, and soldier. Ordinarily, each prison has separate leadership. To a certain extent, EME members imitate the traditional Italian Mafia and have a structural framework which identifies them as a well organized, disciplined organization.
They ally with the Arizona's Old Mexican Mafia, Aryan Brotherhood; Mexikanemi; New Mexico Syndicate; and urban Latino street gangs.
Their enemies are La Nuestra Familia; Northern Structure; Arizona's New Mexican Mafia; Black Guerilla Family; and black street gangs.
Many confuse the EME with the Mexikanemi from Texas; they are two distinct groups. Some believe that Mexikanemi share identical tattoos with the EME, but there are subtle differences which should be taken into account when attempting to associate membership with either EME or Mexikanemi through the use of tattoos.
Other Names: EME, Emily, Emeros
The Mexican Mafia prison gang, or La Eme, was formed in late 1950's in the California Department of Corrections. It originally was a street gang in urban Los Angles. It is known for it's violent acts towards anyone who is perceived to have crossed them. They primarily ethnic solidarity and control of drug trafficking.
The EME is primarily comprised of Mexican-Americans and has spread to many other states and is very active in the Federal prison system. La Eme is most active in the California and Texas prison systems. However, in Texas, the Mexican Mafia is called The Mexikanemi.
A member who was an exception to the Hispanic race and ethnicity was Joe Morgan. Morgan was of Yugoslavian decent and in addition to his drug connections for La Eme, due to the fact that he was Caucasian, he was instrumental in aligning La Eme with the Aryan Brotherhood as allies. The structure of the EME prison gang consists of a chain of command whereby instructions from generals are carried out by captains, lieutenants, and soldier. Ordinarily, each prison has separate leadership. To a certain extent, EME members imitate the traditional Italian Mafia and have a structural framework which identifies them as a well organized, disciplined organization.
They ally with the Arizona's Old Mexican Mafia, Aryan Brotherhood; Mexikanemi; New Mexico Syndicate; and urban Latino street gangs.
Their enemies are La Nuestra Familia; Northern Structure; Arizona's New Mexican Mafia; Black Guerilla Family; and black street gangs.
Many confuse the EME with the Mexikanemi from Texas; they are two distinct groups. Some believe that Mexikanemi share identical tattoos with the EME, but there are subtle differences which should be taken into account when attempting to associate membership with either EME or Mexikanemi through the use of tattoos.
Mexikanemi
Mexikanemi means "Free-Mexican." This prison gang formed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1984 and is also known as the Mexican Mafia.
Known as the Texas Mexican Mafia, the gang is not recognized by California, Federal, and old Arizona Eme members. As with the new Arizona Eme, the Texas Mexican Mafia was created without organizational sanction. The name of the Texas faction is “Mexikanemi.” It utilizes an abbreviated form of this name “Emi.” It also differs in its political structure. But the most obvious dissimilarity is the symbol worn by Emi members. The Mexicanemi does not use “the black hand of death” tattoo as do the other three unified factions; rather, their symbol is known simply as “the patch.” The patch is a symbol of machetes within a circle.
Based on race, ethnicity and domicile, the Mexikanemi prison gang generally excludes non-Hispanics and inmates from outside of Texas. After forming, the group rapidly grew to become the largest gang in the Texas system numbers reported only as Mexican Mafia and became known for criminal activity to include extortion, drugs and murder. They state that they will conduct any criminal activity that will benefit their advancement including contract assassinations. The Mexikanemi is antagonistic towards the New Mexican Mafia, Black Guerrilla Family, other Black gangs and the Texas Syndicate. The Mexikanemi has a constitution and is structured along paramilitary lines with a President, Vice-President, General, Lieutenants, Sergeants and Soldiers. A Mexikanemi member must be prepared to give up his life or to take the life of someone else at any time.
Mexikanemi means "Free-Mexican." This prison gang formed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1984 and is also known as the Mexican Mafia.
Known as the Texas Mexican Mafia, the gang is not recognized by California, Federal, and old Arizona Eme members. As with the new Arizona Eme, the Texas Mexican Mafia was created without organizational sanction. The name of the Texas faction is “Mexikanemi.” It utilizes an abbreviated form of this name “Emi.” It also differs in its political structure. But the most obvious dissimilarity is the symbol worn by Emi members. The Mexicanemi does not use “the black hand of death” tattoo as do the other three unified factions; rather, their symbol is known simply as “the patch.” The patch is a symbol of machetes within a circle.
Based on race, ethnicity and domicile, the Mexikanemi prison gang generally excludes non-Hispanics and inmates from outside of Texas. After forming, the group rapidly grew to become the largest gang in the Texas system numbers reported only as Mexican Mafia and became known for criminal activity to include extortion, drugs and murder. They state that they will conduct any criminal activity that will benefit their advancement including contract assassinations. The Mexikanemi is antagonistic towards the New Mexican Mafia, Black Guerrilla Family, other Black gangs and the Texas Syndicate. The Mexikanemi has a constitution and is structured along paramilitary lines with a President, Vice-President, General, Lieutenants, Sergeants and Soldiers. A Mexikanemi member must be prepared to give up his life or to take the life of someone else at any time.
Surenos
Surenos is an organization of different Hispanic street gangs, many of which have a presence at the national level. Originating from a jail conflict between the Mexican Mafia, known as La Eme, and the Nuestra Familia, Surenos is a term that has come to describe a
gang’s allegiance with the Mexican Mafia and other Hispanic
gangs from Southern California. The term “Surenos” means Southern in Spanish. Mara Salvatrucha 13, SUR 13, 18th Street and South Side Locos are all examples of Surenos gangs active in Maryland,
Virginia and Washington D.C. Identifying Surenos members represent themselves with a number of phrases and symbols, “SUR 13”, “Sureno Trece” and “Los Surenos.” Additional identifications include the color blue, the numerical number 13, representing the alphabet letter M, standing for the Mexican Mafia, and XIII. Surenos membership numbers in the hundreds of thousands nationally and is composed of hundreds of gangs originating from the Southern California area.Membership is primary composed of Hispanic males between the ages of 13 and 28. In recent years female membership has increased as well as the recruitment and targeting of elementary school children. Despite Southern California gangs swearing an allegiance and truce under the umbrella term “Surenos”, several of the gangs continue to rival one another in the capital region; the most public rivalry being between Mara
Salvatrucha 13.
Surenos is an organization of different Hispanic street gangs, many of which have a presence at the national level. Originating from a jail conflict between the Mexican Mafia, known as La Eme, and the Nuestra Familia, Surenos is a term that has come to describe a
gang’s allegiance with the Mexican Mafia and other Hispanic
gangs from Southern California. The term “Surenos” means Southern in Spanish. Mara Salvatrucha 13, SUR 13, 18th Street and South Side Locos are all examples of Surenos gangs active in Maryland,
Virginia and Washington D.C. Identifying Surenos members represent themselves with a number of phrases and symbols, “SUR 13”, “Sureno Trece” and “Los Surenos.” Additional identifications include the color blue, the numerical number 13, representing the alphabet letter M, standing for the Mexican Mafia, and XIII. Surenos membership numbers in the hundreds of thousands nationally and is composed of hundreds of gangs originating from the Southern California area.Membership is primary composed of Hispanic males between the ages of 13 and 28. In recent years female membership has increased as well as the recruitment and targeting of elementary school children. Despite Southern California gangs swearing an allegiance and truce under the umbrella term “Surenos”, several of the gangs continue to rival one another in the capital region; the most public rivalry being between Mara
Salvatrucha 13.
Tango Blast
Puro Tango Blast, or Tango Blast -
Although anyone can join, TB is a collection of various regionally-based
groups (home boys or homies) of mostly Hispanic gang members who have
banded together for protection from established the older, violent prison
gangs, now mostly known as Security Threat Groups (STG). The TB has no hierarchy which is appealing to the members. Neither does it have a set initiation procedure for joining. One initiation used is a "beat-in" where a
prospect must fight several other members. If he lasts and does not surrender, he is inducted into the gang. Another appealing aspect of the gang is the fact that when an inmate is released from prison, he is free to leave the gang and does not continue to owe allegiance the gang. Generally, Tango members identify themselves by sport team logos or area codes from their home town or region. These following four Tangos represent the earliest Tangos to form in Texas. Austin - known as Capiruchas and use the Texas capitol building as their symbol. Dallas - known as D-Town and may use the Dallas Cowboys football logo - a 5 point star. FortWorth - known as Foritos, may use the 817 area code as their symbol. Houston - known as Houstones and may use the Houston Astros baseball logo - a broken 5 point star. Other areas of Texas have their own Tangos, notably West Texas, known as Puro West or Wesos, often displaying the area codes 806 or 432, or the numbers 23-20 representing the 23rd and 20th letters of the alphabet - W T. Other sets are the Valley, known as Vallucos, San Antonio, known as Orejones , Corpus Christi, known as Corpitos and El Paso, known as Chucos.
Puro Tango Blast, or Tango Blast -
Although anyone can join, TB is a collection of various regionally-based
groups (home boys or homies) of mostly Hispanic gang members who have
banded together for protection from established the older, violent prison
gangs, now mostly known as Security Threat Groups (STG). The TB has no hierarchy which is appealing to the members. Neither does it have a set initiation procedure for joining. One initiation used is a "beat-in" where a
prospect must fight several other members. If he lasts and does not surrender, he is inducted into the gang. Another appealing aspect of the gang is the fact that when an inmate is released from prison, he is free to leave the gang and does not continue to owe allegiance the gang. Generally, Tango members identify themselves by sport team logos or area codes from their home town or region. These following four Tangos represent the earliest Tangos to form in Texas. Austin - known as Capiruchas and use the Texas capitol building as their symbol. Dallas - known as D-Town and may use the Dallas Cowboys football logo - a 5 point star. FortWorth - known as Foritos, may use the 817 area code as their symbol. Houston - known as Houstones and may use the Houston Astros baseball logo - a broken 5 point star. Other areas of Texas have their own Tangos, notably West Texas, known as Puro West or Wesos, often displaying the area codes 806 or 432, or the numbers 23-20 representing the 23rd and 20th letters of the alphabet - W T. Other sets are the Valley, known as Vallucos, San Antonio, known as Orejones , Corpus Christi, known as Corpitos and El Paso, known as Chucos.
Texas Syndicate
Other Names: Syndicato Tejano; TS; ESE TE; Teresa Sanchez
Originated in the California prison system at Folsom Prison in the early 1970's, but is now stronger in Texas.
The Texas Syndicate prison gang was formed in response to other prison gangs in the California Department of Corrections, such as the Mexican Mafia, and Aryan Brotherhood, which were attempting to prey on native Texas inmates.
The Texas Syndicate is comprised of predominately Mexican-American inmates, originally, the rule to allow only other Hispanics into the TS was not strictly followed. This has since changed and the gang is now for Hispanics only.
The TS has a formal organizational structure and a set of written rules for its members. A TS member is called a "carnal," a group of members is called "carnales," and a recruit is called a "cardinal," and the leader is called the "chairman."
The TS reportedly has a paramilitary structure. It is headed by a president and a vice president who were elected by the general member population. In each prison, a chairman is in control and is tasked to oversee a vice chairman, captain, lieutenant, sergeant of arms, and numerous soldiers. Upon institutional reclassification, ranking members in prison are automatically demoted to the soldier level.
The TS also has its own Constitution which each member has to follow. Under the said constitution, it is stipulated that members should:
1. Be a Texan;
2. Always remain a member;
3. Place the Texas Syndicate before anything else;
4. Understand that the Texas Syndicate is always in the right;
5. Wear the Texas Syndicate tattoo;
6. Never let a member down;
7. Respect other members;
8. Keep all gang information within the group.
They ally with the Texas Mafia; Dirty White Boys, and Border Brothers.
Their enemies are Aryan Brotherhood; La Nuestra Familia; Mexican Mafia; Mexikanemi; Mandingo Warriors.
They can typically been identified by tattoos affiliated with this group has a "TS" located somewhere in their design. This is not always obvious and may require a closer look.
Other Names: Syndicato Tejano; TS; ESE TE; Teresa Sanchez
Originated in the California prison system at Folsom Prison in the early 1970's, but is now stronger in Texas.
The Texas Syndicate prison gang was formed in response to other prison gangs in the California Department of Corrections, such as the Mexican Mafia, and Aryan Brotherhood, which were attempting to prey on native Texas inmates.
The Texas Syndicate is comprised of predominately Mexican-American inmates, originally, the rule to allow only other Hispanics into the TS was not strictly followed. This has since changed and the gang is now for Hispanics only.
The TS has a formal organizational structure and a set of written rules for its members. A TS member is called a "carnal," a group of members is called "carnales," and a recruit is called a "cardinal," and the leader is called the "chairman."
The TS reportedly has a paramilitary structure. It is headed by a president and a vice president who were elected by the general member population. In each prison, a chairman is in control and is tasked to oversee a vice chairman, captain, lieutenant, sergeant of arms, and numerous soldiers. Upon institutional reclassification, ranking members in prison are automatically demoted to the soldier level.
The TS also has its own Constitution which each member has to follow. Under the said constitution, it is stipulated that members should:
1. Be a Texan;
2. Always remain a member;
3. Place the Texas Syndicate before anything else;
4. Understand that the Texas Syndicate is always in the right;
5. Wear the Texas Syndicate tattoo;
6. Never let a member down;
7. Respect other members;
8. Keep all gang information within the group.
They ally with the Texas Mafia; Dirty White Boys, and Border Brothers.
Their enemies are Aryan Brotherhood; La Nuestra Familia; Mexican Mafia; Mexikanemi; Mandingo Warriors.
They can typically been identified by tattoos affiliated with this group has a "TS" located somewhere in their design. This is not always obvious and may require a closer look.
Tri City Bombers
Originating in the1980's, in the tri-city area of Pharr,
San Juan and Alamo, Texas, the Bombers began as a break dance crew called the Tri-City Poppers. This was not a money making venture so they did petty crimes. Subsequently, many of its members were sent to prison and became associate members of the Texas Syndicate prison gang. The leaders of the group wanted to take the group to a higher level so a confirmed Texas Syndicate member, who saw the potential in the group, took them under his wing and schooled them with the 'blessing' of the Texas Syndicate. In 1994, several Tri City Bombers members split from the Texas Syndicate prison gang and formed the Texas Chicano Brotherhood prison gang. It should be noted that the Texas Chicano Brotherhood carried with it, the initials of the Tri-City Bombers - TCB. The Tri City Bombers did not approve of the split and declared war with the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. The Texas Syndicate, Tango Blast and Mexikanemi all joined in on the attack against the Texas Chicano Brotherhood to prevent the new gang from establishing itself in the Texas prison system. Both the Bomber and Brotherhood constitutions mirror the Texas Syndicate constitution.
Tri City Bombers Symbols:
Classic 1950’s cars, Bombs,
TCB.
Territory: Pharr, San Juan and Alamo, TX
Alliances: Texas Syndicate
Members: 500
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Originating in the1980's, in the tri-city area of Pharr,
San Juan and Alamo, Texas, the Bombers began as a break dance crew called the Tri-City Poppers. This was not a money making venture so they did petty crimes. Subsequently, many of its members were sent to prison and became associate members of the Texas Syndicate prison gang. The leaders of the group wanted to take the group to a higher level so a confirmed Texas Syndicate member, who saw the potential in the group, took them under his wing and schooled them with the 'blessing' of the Texas Syndicate. In 1994, several Tri City Bombers members split from the Texas Syndicate prison gang and formed the Texas Chicano Brotherhood prison gang. It should be noted that the Texas Chicano Brotherhood carried with it, the initials of the Tri-City Bombers - TCB. The Tri City Bombers did not approve of the split and declared war with the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. The Texas Syndicate, Tango Blast and Mexikanemi all joined in on the attack against the Texas Chicano Brotherhood to prevent the new gang from establishing itself in the Texas prison system. Both the Bomber and Brotherhood constitutions mirror the Texas Syndicate constitution.
Tri City Bombers Symbols:
Classic 1950’s cars, Bombs,
TCB.
Territory: Pharr, San Juan and Alamo, TX
Alliances: Texas Syndicate
Members: 500
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Vallucos
Refer to Tango Blast.
Refer to Tango Blast.