West Texas Tango

The West Texas Tango gang originated in 1978 at the Ferguson state prison in Midway, Texas. The WT began recruiting Hispanic west Texas offenders from Lubbock, Amarillo and its surrounding areas who refused to join the states established prison gangs. The gang remained unorganized during its primary years but created a gang constitution after merging with the Tango Blast Federation. The WT is currently involved in extortion and drug dealing behind prison walls and is growing rapidly. The gang is not a blood in blood out organization, nor has it yet been classified as a Security Threat Group. The gang tends to be more focused in making money than controlling territory.

In 1997, the West Texas Tango gang attempted to declare it’s self a prison gang by renaming the gang the “West Texas Carnales”. The idea never flourished after the violent Barrio Azteca prison gang began attacking members of the West Texas Carnales. Out numbered, the West Texas gang abandons the proposal and instead merged with the Tango Blast Federation for protection in 2004.


Symbols: WT, Puro West, Weso, 432,
Territory: Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene and the surrounding west Texas area.
Alliances: Tango Blast
Members: 200
Ethnicity: Hispanic

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In 1978, the West Texas gang is formed in the Texas Department of Corrections. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On June 18, 2006, West Texas prison gang members murder Adrian Ramirez Garza at a West Odessa party. (Associated Press)

On December 2008, ten members of the West Texas Tango gang are arrested in a major cocaine and meth trafficking ring. (U.S. Department of Justice Press Release)

Raza Unida

The Raza Unida (RU) is a Latino prison gang that originated in 1988 in the southern Texas prison system. The founders of the gang were convicted felons from Corpus Christi and Dallas, Texas.

NOTE: This gang should not be confused with La Raza Unida Hispanic rights activist group.

Soon after the gang's inception, a conflict arose between the RUs and another prison gang called the Barrio Azteca. The Azteca’s murdered an RU member, claiming that the victim had once been a member of the Barrio Azteca. The claim turned out to be legitimate, so the Raza Unida did not retaliate. Following the Raza Unida’s primary years, the gang struggled to gain the respect from “The Big 3” – the Mexican Mafia, the Texas Syndicate, and the Barrio Azteca, the states larger and more established prison gangs. In 1992 the Mexikanemi instigated a brief war with the weaker Raza Unida. Three members of the Raza Unida were killed in an attack from the Mexican Mafia at the Coffield state prison. During the conflict with the Raza Unida and the more powerful Mexican Mafia, the Raza Unida had no choice but to join alliance with the Texas Syndicate. This meant that they gave the Texas Syndicate a quarter of Corpus Christi, which was officially Raza Unida drug-dealing territory. As a result, the Texas Syndicate protected the Raza Unida.

In 1994, the TS and the RUs wanted to take over the Brownsville, Texas drug route, which was being run by a rival prison gang, the HPL (Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos). After five years of war, they reached an agreement that all three gangs would share the drug trade in Brownsville by dividing the city into sections.

The Raza Unida began to multiply in 1995 after a murderous war erupted between the TS and the Barrio Azteca. The Raza Unida refused to get involved in this war or assist the Texas Syndicate. Instead the Raza Unida severed its alliance with the Texas Syndicate and declared complete independence. These infuriated members of the Texas Syndicate but the TS could not afford to retaliate against the RUs. While the Texas Syndicate was being consumed in warfare against their rival Barrio Azteca gang, the now independent Raza Unida was able to gain control of the prison drug trade.

Unfortunately, the Raza Unida’s newfound power did not last long. In July 1997, the Texas Syndicate regained power and control of the prison system drug trade. During these war years, it became known to the Texas Syndicate that the RUs were importing drugs from the Brownsville, TX and Matamoros, MX international port of entry and trafficking them to Dallas and Houston, which was predominantly Texas Syndicate territory. In late March 2002, RU members assault and kill a TS member at the Polunsky Unit, and lockdowns are ordered for all known or suspected TS and RU members and affiliates. A full scale gang war erupted between both gangs and violence erupted in units statewide as well as in cities such as Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Dallas and Houston. The Raza Unida suffered great losses and was on the verge of collapse when a conflict arose among ranking members of the Raza Unida. The RU’s Dallas and southern Texas members split into two factions after the two could not reach an agreement or a truce.

The majority faction is called RU Surenos, which make up members of the southern part of Texas, and the minority faction from Dallas which remains Raza Unida. The split caused a loss of morale for many of the organization’s original members, and several hundreds quit.

Symbols: RU, Eagle with both Mexican and American flags
Territory: Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas and small chapters across the United States.
Alliances: none
Members: 700
Ethnicity: Hispanic

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In 1988, The Raza Unida (RU) is formed in the Texas state prison system. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)

In 1992, the Mexikanemi instigated a brief war with the weaker Raza Unida. Three members of the Raza Unida were killed in an attack from the Mexican Mafia at the Coffield state prison. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)

In 1994, the Texas Syndicate and the Raza Unida agree that the gangs would share the drug trade in Brownsville by dividing gang territory in the border town in sections. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)
In 1997, the HPL declares war on the Raza Unida after RU members refuse to allow the HPL to recruit new members at a south Texas transfer facility. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)

On August 10, 1998, Raza Unida members brutally murder fellow gang member Luis "Huicho" Luna in Corpus Christi, Texas for breaking gang rules. After murdering Luna, RU members reportedly burned a stolen car used to transport the body. Jesse "Trece" Casso ("Casso"), Jeremy Munguia ("Munguia"), Rudy "Rhino" Contreras ("Contreras") and Jason "Chino Boy" Luna ("Jason"), all members of the "Raza Unida" gang, are arrested and charged with Capital Murder. Hernandez v. State, 52 S.W.3d 268 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi, 2001) June 21, 2001
In 1999, the HPL and Raza Unida both settle a truce after 1 year of fighting. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)

In May 1999, the Mexikanemi declares war on the Raza Unida over a conflict involving drugs in the streets of Corpus Christi, Texas. A member of the Raza Unida is brutally murdered at the Connally unit in Kenedy, Texas by Mexikanemi members. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)

In August 1999, 21 members of the “Mexican Mafia” attacked six members of the Raza Unida at the Domingez state prison in San Antonio, Texas. (San Antonio Express News, August 11, 1999.)

In January 2000, both the Mexikanemi and Raza Unida settle on a truce after 1 year of war fare. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)

In March 2002, Raza Unida members stab a Texas Syndicate member to death at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas. The murder involves a state wide war between both prison gangs. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)
On November 12, 2002 Raza Unida members murder Jesus Gonzalez and John Commisky for refusing to pay the prison gang 10% of their cocaine profits. The killers, whose faces were covered with black ski masks, reportedly entered the home of the victims and gunned them down with AK-47 assault rifles. Padron v. State, No. 13-06-00464-CR (Tex. App. 8/14/2008) (Tex. App., 2008)

On January 2003, the Raza Unida declares war on the HPL over drug related conflicts. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)

On November 24, 2003, HPL members brutally murder 6 year old Robert Conchola by shooting the child in the face. The victim’s father was a known member of the Raza Unida prison gang and involved in a drug dispute with the HPL. Loya v. State, No. 13-04-00537-CR (Tex. App. 7/6/2006) (Tex. App., 2006)

On December 6, 2003, Raza Unida members murder rival HPL member Michael Rodriguez on a desolate dirt road. Rodriguez had died from numerous gunshot wounds to the head, abdomen, and extremities. The murder involved a gang war between the Raza Unida and Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos. Salazar v. State, No. 13-06-00075-CR (Tex. App. 4/10/2008) (Tex. App., 2008)

On December 6, 2003, Raza Unida members murder rival HPL member Michael Rodriguez on a desolate dirt road. Rodriguez had died from numerous gunshot wounds to the head, abdomen, and extremities. The murder involved a gang war between the Raza Unida and Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos.Salazar v. State, No. 13-06-00075-CR (Tex. App. 4/10/2008) (Tex. App., 2008)

In 2004, The Raza Unida and Texas Syndicate settle on a truce.

In May 2005, The Raza Unida and HPL settle on a peace treaty. (TDCJ Security Threat Group Archives)
On August 23, 2006, Raza Unida members murder Paul Dembowski in Corpus Christi, Texas over a conflict involving a drug deal. (Simpson v. State, No. 13-07-00489-CR (Tex. App. 8/21/2008) (Tex. App., 2008)

On September 19, 2006, 6 Raza Unida members use shanks to over power guards and escapes from the East Hidalgo Detention Center, La Villa, Texas. (Houston Chronicle)

Texas Chicano Brotherhood

Texas Chicano Brotherhood

The Texas Chicano Brotherhood was founded by Gilberto Villarreal (and others) in Hidalgo County, after they split from the Tri-City Bombers in 1994. The gang’s founders adopted the same blood in blood out regulation as established prison gangs and attempted to persuade members of the Tri-City Bombers to "flip" and join the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. The Texas Syndicate, and Mexikanemi, wouldn't allow the Texas Chicano Brotherhood to recruit within the Texas prison system, so they merged with street gangs from south Texas.

Symbols: “TCB” and a star inside the letters, TXCB, Chicano, the color red
Territory: Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and west Texas,
Alliances: Nine Ball Crew (street gang)
Members: 400
Ethnicity: Hispanic

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In 1994, Texas Chicano Brotherhood is formed by Gilberto Villarreal and other ex-members of the Tri-City Bombers. The Tri-City Bombers did not approve of the split and declared war with the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. The Texas Syndicate, Mexikanemi, and Tango Blast, all joined in on the attack against the Texas Chicano Brotherhood to prevent the new gang from establishing itself within the Texas prisons.

In 1998, several members are stabbed numerous times by the Texas Syndicate at the J.B. Connally state prison in Kenedy, Texas. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1998, the Texas Chicano Brotherhood declares war on the Texas Syndicate after the TS refuses to allow the gang to recruit in Texas prisons.1998-99. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On July 17, 2002, Texas Chicano Brotherhood members shoot Rudolfo Martinez and Rodney Ramos, both of whom were former members of the gang. (Vallejo v. State, No. 14-04-00771-CR (TX 10/27/2005)

On January 5, 2003, armed members of the Tri-City Bombers, raid the stash house of rival Texas Chicano Brotherhood members and murder 6 men: 5 men in one house, and 1 man inside a second house on the same property. The killers who were wearing jackets with the word "Police, were armed with SKS Norinco assault rifles. Victims include: Jerry Hidalgo, Rey Hidalgo, Juan Delgado Jr., Juan Delgado III, Ruben Rolando Castillo, and Jimmy Armendarez. The brutal murders become known as the “Edinburg Massacre.”
(Medrano v. State, No. AP-75,320 (Tex. Crim. App. 11/26/2008) (Tex. Crim. App., 2008)

On June 2006, 3 members of the Tri-City Bombers are stabbed 23 times by rival Texas Chicano Brotherhood members at the Telford state prison in Texarkana, Texas. Augustin
Amador, 34, dies as a result of his wounds. (Associated Press)

On April 23, 2007, Texas Chicano Brotherhood members with J.D. Urbina , 30 and Gilberto Villarreal, 34 rob and brutally murder Miguel Aguilar in Edinburge , Texas .(Associated Press)

In June 2008, The Tango Blast prison gang attack Texas Chicano Brotherhood members in the J.B. Connally state prison. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On April 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice announces that the Tri City Bombers, Texas Chicano Brotherhood, and Hermandad Pistoleros Latinos are all distributing large amounts of drugs throughout the South Texas area. (Associated Press)

On July 16, 2008, Texas Chicano Brotherhood members murder forty-eight year old Julio Garcia in Mc Allen, Texas. (Associated Press)

On January 31, 2009, members of the Tri City Bombers toss a grenade through the window of a Pharr, Texas Lounge in an attempt to murder rival Texas Chicano Brotherhood members. (Associated Press)

Tri-City Bombers

The Tri-City Bombers (originally called the Tri-City Poppers) started as clique of young break dancers that became a street gang in the early 1990s when the popularity of break dancing declined.. The "Bombitas", as their known, originated as a break dancing crew in Lopezville colonia north of San Juan, Texas. The crew was based within the tri-city border metropolis of Pharr, San Juan and Alamo, Texas. The street gang was involved in petty crime and many of its members were sent to prison and became associate members of the Texas Syndicate.

Paroled members of the Tri-City Bombers adopted the highly organized structure of the Texas Syndicate and set up a similar chain of command for their gang on the streets. The gang built an alliance with the Texas Syndicate in 1994 and assists the TS in high intensity drug trafficking, extortion and armed robberies.


In 1994, Tri-City Bombers Gilberto Villarreal and J.D. Urbina split from gang and form the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. The Tri-City Bombers did not approve of the split and declared war with the Texas Chicano Brotherhood soon after. 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.

Texas gang intelligence officials say they have seen an increase in numbers of Tri-City Bombers in Texas prisons and believe the gang is currently recruiting new members behind the walls. The sharp decline of traditional gangs such as Texas Syndicate may be the reason street gangs such as the Tri-City Bombers are thriving in numbers.

Symbols: Classic 1950’s cars, Bombs, TCB.
Territory: Pharr, San Juan and Alamo, TX
Alliances: Texas Syndicate
Members: 500
Ethnicity: Hispanic

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In 1980s, the Tri City Bombers begin as a break dance crew and transcend into a violent street gang in the Pharr, San Juan and Alamo, TX. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1994, Texas Chicano Brotherhood is formed by Gilberto Villarreal and other ex-members of the Tri-City Bombers. The Tri-City Bombers did not approve of the split and declared war with the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. The Texas Syndicate, Mexikanemi, and Tango Blast, all joined in on the attack against the Texas Chicano Brotherhood to prevent the new gang from establishing itself within the Texas prisons. [citation needed]

On September 4, 2002, armed members of the Tri-City Bombers murder 6 women working at Garcia's Bar in Donna, Texas. The killers were ordered to murder Nora Rodriguez and M. Quintero, but mistakenly kill the wrong women. (Associated Press)

On January 5, 2003, armed members of the Tri-City Bombers, raid the stash house of rival Texas Chicano Brotherhood members and murder 6 men: 5 men in one house, and 1 man inside a second house on the same property. The killers who were wearing jackets with the word "Police, were armed with SKS Norinco assault rifles. Victims include: Jerry Hidalgo, Rey Hidalgo, Juan Delgado Jr., Juan Delgado III, Ruben Rolando Castillo, and Jimmy Armendarez. The brutal murders become known as the “Edinburg Massacre.”
(Medrano v. State, No. AP-75,320 (Tex. Crim. App. 11/26/2008) (Tex. Crim. App., 2008)

On January 17, 2003, Texas Rangers detained Marcial Bocanegra, a member of the Tri-City Bombers, in connection with the "Edinburg massacre." (Associated Press) [source]

On January 24, 2003, Humberto "Gallo" Garza, an alleged captain of the Tri-City Bombers gang, is arrested in connection with the “Edinburg Massacre.” (Hidalgo County Sheriff Department) [source]

On September 4, 2002, armed members of the Tri-City Bombers murder 6 women working at Garcia's Bar in Donna, Texas. The killers were ordered to murder Nora Rodriguez and M. Quintero, but mistakenly kill the wrong women.

On April 11, 2000, Tri City Bombers fatally stab Rodulfo Landa to death at a night club in Hidalgo County, Texas. (Associate Press)

On June 2006, 3 members of the Tri City Bombers are stabbed 23 times by rival Texas Chicano Brotherhood members at the Telford state prison in Texarkana, Texas. Augustin
Amador, 34, dies as a result of his wounds. (Associated Press)

In October 2007, two members of the Latin Kings brutally murder Tri City Bombers captain 42 year old Gerardo “Boxer” Gutierrez in Pharr, Texas. (Associated Press)

On Oct. 31, 2007, the Tri-City Bombers are paid by the Zeta drug cartel to attack a trucking business outside of Palmview. The attack came as a result of a drug debt. (Associated Press)

On April 2008, The U.S. Department of Justice announces that the Tri City Bombers, Texas Chicano Brotherhood, and Hermandad Pistoleros Latinos are all distributing large amounts of drugs throughout the South Texas area. (Associated Press)

Tango Blast

Tango Blast, a.k.a. Puro Tango Blast. Tango Blast includes Tangos from the four original cities as well as the West Texas and Rio Grande Valley areas. Tango Blast differs from Tangos in that separate Tango Blast gangs sometimes band together to help one another. The gang’s rapid growth poses a significant new security threat, and elements of Tango Blast within TDCJ appear to be challenging Texas Syndicate for control of illegal prison activities. Tango members appear to return to their local street gangs when released from prison, rather than continue their prison-based affiliation.

TANGOS/TANGO BLAST GROUPS
Austin Tangos (ATX; Capirucha)
Corpus Christi Tangos (Corpitos; Charco)
Dallas Tangos (D-Town)
El Paso Tangos (EPT)
Fort Worth Tangos (Foritos; Foros)
Houston Tangos (Houstone; H-Town)
Rio Grande Valley Tangos (Valluco)
San Antonio Tangos (San Anto; Orejones)
West Texas Tangos (WTX)



Texas prison officials first noted the presence of a gang known as Four Horsemen in 1998. Some Hispanic gang members entering the TDC from the cities of Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston were not interested in joining an established prison gang and established Four Horsemen to protect one another and to engage in illegal activities, particularly drug trafficking, to make money. Four Horsemen became known as Tangos, because its members wore tattoos that reflected the town (or tango) in which they resided prior to incarceration. As interest in Tangos grew among Hispanic gang members entering TDCJ from other areas of Texas, Tangos from West Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio and El Paso were accepted. Of the eight groups now recognized as Tangos, only six are part of Tango Blast.

Symbols: Houston Astros star, Dallas Cowboys star, Houstone, 713, TB, the Four Horsemen, 214, Foritos, H-Town, D-Town, A-Town
Territory: Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Waco, Austin, West Texas
Alliances: West Texas Tango
Members: 700
Ethicity: Hispanic

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"West Texas Puro Tango Blast" -- Not As Much Fun As It Sounds
By Robert Wilonsky in Crime and Punishment
Dec. 5, 2008

Only a few days ago, The Dallas Morning News ran a piece about Texas' Tango Blast gang, which was formed within the confines of the state's penitentiaries and "could change the Dallas landscape because it rejects old notions of prison gang exclusivity and lifelong commitments," wrote Tanya Eiserer. (The D-Town Tango Blast members sport tattoos like the one above, a reference to the Dallas Cowboys.) Five days later, the U.S. Attorney sends word that 13 of the Tango Blast-ers -- including a 28-year-old from Arlington who goes by the name "Burrito" -- were arrested today for allegedly running so mammoth a cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking organization that it took a dozen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies two years to bring it down. The full details concerning the bust-up of an operation that extended from Abilene to North Texas are after the jump. --Robert Wilonsky

ARRESTS DISMANTLE COCAINE AND METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION IN ABILENE, TEXAS
Defendants Arrested are Members of the West Texas Puro Tango Blast Prison Gang

ABILENE, Texas - Ten members of the West Texas Puro Tango Blast prison gang allegedly involved in a major cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking organization operating in the Abilene, Texas, area, and throughout North Texas, were arrested without incident this morning by federal, state and local law enforcement officers in an early morning round-up, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. The arrests were made in the Abilene area as well as in Brownsville, Arlington, and Corpus Christi, Texas.

Two additional alleged members of that organization are already in custody on related charges; another alleged member is a fugitive. All 13 defendants are charged in a 13-count federal indictment returned in Lubbock last month and unsealed this morning. U.S. Attorney Roper said, "Today's enforcement action, the culmination of a nearly two year investigation, has effectively shut down a dangerous drug trafficking organization operating in Abilene. Once again, an operation such as this demonstrates the commitment of federal, state and local law enforcement to work together to aggressively address drug dealing and take the profit out of illegal narcotics sales."

"Today marks the culmination of a successful two year investigation into the criminal activity of the West Texas Puro Tango Blast prison gang," said Robert E. Casey, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI. Casey continued, "This collaborative effort on the part of the federal government and local law enforcement to aggressively deal with drug, gun and violent gang activity here in West Texas continues to achieve positive results. The FBI remains committed to the disruption and dismantlement of these organized violent gangs through the continued multi-agency Task Force concept. I would specifically like to thank the efforts of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Abilene Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Stephens County Sheriff's Office, Arlington Police Department, Brownsville Police Department, Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Security Threat Group, West Central Texas Inter-Local Task Force, U.S. Marshal's Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration."

Those defendants arrested this morning are:

* Ricardo Valdiviez, a/k/a "Ricky," 24, Brownsville, Texas
* Ramiro Olivo, a/k/a "Burrito," 28, of Arlington, Texas
* Steven Ildefonso Flores, 33, of Abilene, Texas
* Larry Villareal, 32, of Abilene, Texas
* Serafin Moreno, a/k/a "Serf," 31, of Corpus Christi, Texas
* Eric Tonche, a/k/a "Quat," 27, of Abilene, Texas
* Jacob Adam Garcia, a/k/a "Little Jake," 25, of Abilene, Texas
* Lorenzo Barela, 29, of Abilene, Texas
* Rolando Solis, 27, of Abilene, Texas
* Jennifer Grace Cortez, 26, of Abilene, Texas

Defendant Fidel Hernandez Gomez, a/k/a "Gordo," 44, an illegal alien who resided in Abilene, is already in custody on federal charges and defendant Joe Anthony Diaz, 26, of Abilene, Texas, is in custody on state charges. Defendant David Rodriguez, 34, a/k/a "Super Dave," remains a fugitive.

James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Dallas Division, said, "The arrests and seizures made today will significantly impact and disrupt this large scale drug trafficking organization. Today's actions of determined federal, state and local agencies ensure that our communities will be safer. Illegal drugs do not discriminate, and they attack the very core of our society. The people of the Abilene area need to know that we are committed to serving this fine community and we will be relentless in our efforts to ensure that our communities continue to be safe and a great place to live and raise children."

All of the defendants will make their initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Abilene, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Philip R. Lane, on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. Defendants Ricardo Valdiviez, David Rodriguez, Ramiro Olivo, Steven Ildefonso Flores, Joe Anthony Diaz, Larry Villareal, Serafin Moreno, Eric Tonche, Jacob Adam Garcia, and Jennifer Grace Cortez are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Defendants Fidel Hernandez Gomez, Ramiro Olivo, Steven Ildefonso Flores, Larry Villareal, Serafin Moreno, Eric Tonche, Jacob Adam Garcia, and Rolando Solis, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Several of the defendants are also charged in substantive counts and defendants Eric Tonche and Lorenzo Barela are also charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Defendant Rolando Solis is also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges that participants in the conspiracy, as members and associates of the West Texas Puro Tango Blast criminal organization, distributed, and possessed with intent to distribute, cocaine and methamphetamine. They would acquire large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine, transport it to various locations, and then store it at various locations.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted, each of the defendants, with the exception of Lorenzo Barela, faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million. Barela, who is not currently charged in the conspiracy, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

While stating the investigation is ongoing, U.S. Attorney Roper praised the excellent investigative efforts of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), FBI, DEA, Texas Department of Public Safety, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force, Abilene Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Stephens County Sheriff's Office, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Security Threat Group Gang Intelligence Unit.

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In 1998, the Tango Blast prison gang is formed in the Clemens state prison in Brazoria, Texas. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 2001, both the Tango Blast and Barrio Azteca engage in a gang fight in a gymnasium at the Torrez state prison in Hondo, Texas. Both gangs settle a truce soon after. (Associated Press)

On January of 2002, members of the Barrio Azteca brutally stab a Tango Blast member while the victim is using the restroom at the Robertson state prison in Abilene, Texas. A gang war between the two gangs erupts state wide soon after. (Associated Press)

On June 2002, the Tango Blast retaliates against the Barrio Azteca by severely beating 4 of its members in the John B. Connally state prison in Kenedy, Texas. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In mid 2002, the Texas Syndicate declares war on the Tango Blast prison gang. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In April 2002, members of the Texas Syndicate murder a Tango Blast member at the J.B. Connally state prison. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On August 7, 2005, Tango Blast member Rolando Vasquez murders Juan Rodriguez, a member of the Varrio Northside street gang in Houston, Texas. (Vasquez v. State, No. 2-06-409-CR (Tex. App. 9/4/2008)

On August 31, 2006, several Tango Blast members are arrested for drug distribution and trafficking in Dallas, Texas. (Aguilar v. State, No. 05-07-00660-CR (Tex. App. 8/18/2008)

In October 2007, Tango Blast member William Linzer kidnaps and rapes a teenage girl in Houston. (Associated Press)

On May 2007, Tango Blast member Jesus Elizondo, 22, shoots and kills a 15-year-old boy in Dallas. (Associated Press)

In June 2008, The Tango Blast prison gang attack Texas Chicano Brotherhood members in the J.B. Connally state prison. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On November 16, 2008, Tango Blast members murder Alejandro Vasquez in a nightclub in downtown Dallas. (Associated Press)

On December 2008, ten members of the West Texas Tango gang are arrested in a major cocaine and meth trafficking ring. (U.S. Department of Justice Press Release)

In 2009, four members of the Tango Blast gang are arrested by FBI officials in Houston for possession of more than five kilos of cocaine. Agents seized fire arms, high end cars and jewelry. (Associated Press)

Los Solidos

The Los Solidos gang was founded in 1990 by Puerto Ricans in Hartford, Connecticut. The gang spread throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. Los Solidos established itself as a prison gang in 1993, to protect its incarcerated members from being attacked by Latin Kings inside Connecticut prisons.

Symbols: red and blue beaded necklaces, The Solid Ones, joker masks, La Familia Solidos
Territory: Springfield, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Long Island, New York, New Hampshire, Maryland.
Alliances: none
Enemies: Latin Kings
Members: 1000
Ethnicity: Hispanic, Black, White

Latin Counts

Latin Counts is a violent Hispanic street gang that originated in Chicago in the mid-1960s. It is composed of at least five structured factions with an estimated 400 to 600 members and associate members. Most members are Mexican national or Mexican American males. The gang is most active in the Great Lakes region. The street-level distribution of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, heroin, and marijuana is a primary source of income for the gang. Members also are involved in other criminal activity including assault, auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shooting, home invasion, homicide, and weapons trafficking.


Name: Latin Counts or Almighty Insane Latin Counts
Established: Chicago, IL
Symbols: knights helmet w/pointed plumage; 5-point star; letters LC, LCN, C's
Color(s): Black & Red
Territory: Chicago, Midwest
Membership: 400 to 600
Ethnicity: Hispanic, white
Allies: People Nation (excluding Latin Kings)
Rivals: Folk Nation (Disciples), Latin Kings

Maniac Latin Disciples

Maniac Latin Disciples, originated in Chicago in the late 1960s. The gang is composed of at least 10 structured and unstructured factions with an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 members and associate members. Most members are Puerto Rican males. Maniac Latin Disciples is the largest Hispanic gang in the Folk Nation Alliance. The gang is most active in the Great Lakes and southwestern regions of the United States. The street-level distribution of powdered cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and PCP is a primary source of income for the gang. Members also are involved in other criminal activity including assault, auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shooting, home invasion, homicide, money laundering, and weapons trafficking.

Maniac Latin Disciples originated in 1966 in the Humboldt Park community of Chicago, and was founded by Albert "Hitler" Hernandez. They were initially known as the Latin Scorpions in 1966.

In 1970, Hitler Hernandez was killed by the Latin Kings. Several other leaders filled the void including "Diablo" and Prince "Chi-Chi." The group established a relationship with the Gangster Disciples, eventually changing the gang's name to Latin Disciples.

In the mid-1970's, the Latin Disciples formed an alliance with the Latin Eagles, Spanish Cobras, and Imperial Gangsters street gangs; this alliance was called the United Latino Organization.

The Latin Disciples joined the "Folk Alliance" in 1978.

Fernando "Ferny" Zayas

By 1983, Fernando "Ferny" Zayas assumed leadership of the gang and the gang began to incorporate the surname "Maniac".

The Maniac Latin Disciples grew at a tremendously rapid pace, recruiting many members from the Illinois correctional facilities. They established bases of operations throughout the North and West Sides of Chicago, using brute and violent force to eliminate rival gangs. In 1983, Zayas was incarcerated on murder charges. However he has been able to control his gang's day-to-day activity since being incarcerated, though some factions have broken away from his leadership. Zayas is currently in Tamms maximum security prison.

In the early 1990's, the MLD's initiated the "Maniac Family", allying several smaller Latin street gangs into a structured alliance. The Latin Lovers, Milwaukee Kings, and Maniac Campbell Boys, initial members of the Maniac Family, then later the Latin Jivers, which would later break away from the structured alliance which would result in bloodshed.

In 1996, the MLD's second-in-command, or "Don", Johnny "Loco" Almodovar, was arrested on murder charges. He and his cohorts declared an "all out war" against the Spanish Cobras after a high-ranking MLD was shot in Humboldt Park. Shortly thereafter, the street leader, or "Prince", Enrique "Rick Dog" Garcia, was gunned down by fellow MLD member Jamie "Tuffy" Ruiz.

In 1998-99, authorities arrested several top ranking MLD's on drug charges. Thomas "Outlaw" Ross was said to be the leader of the drug ring which spanned the Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods.

After the gang was able to rebuild it's leadership structure, the F.B.I. conducted an investigation and arrested another slew of top MLD's in 2004 on drug conspiracy charges. Among the top MLD’s arrested were Fidel "Fiddle" Hernandez and Antonio "Bird" Perez. The two were acting as street leaders for the gang at the time of their arrest.

There is currently turmoil within the Maniac Latin Disciples organization because many of their branches (i.e. areas of operation, turf, etc.) have broken away from Ferny's control and several members have began to feud against another.

The MLD’s have virtually no allies on the streets as the gang has tested the patience of it's "subserviant" gangs within the Maniac Family (Milwaukee Kings, Latin Jivers and Latin Lovers). The gang also initiated wars with the former allies such as the Spanish Cobras, Latin Eagles, Imperial Gangsters and Simon City Royals.

The gang's primary criminal involvement has consisted of graffiti, drug trafficking, assault, armed robbery, auto theft, "ramming", kidnapping, extortion, shootings, and murder.

Name: Maniac Latin Disciples
Established: Chicago, IL
Symbols: Heart with horns and/or tail; Swastika; Pitchforks; 6-point star; Grim Reaper; letters LD, MLD
Color(s): Black & Light Blue
Territory: Chicago, Midwest
Membership: 1,500 to 2,000
Ethnicity: Predominantly Hispanic
Allies: Folk Nation (Disciples)
Rivals: People Nation (Latin Kings, Vice Lords, etc.)

Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos

Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos ( a.k.a., Pistoleros Latinos, or, HPL) is a Hispanic prison gang founded by Joe Mendoza and Alberto Rodriguez in Texas during the late 1980s. The Spanish translation of the gang's name is "Brotherhood of Latin Gunmen." It operates in most prisons and on the streets in many communities in Texas, particularly Laredo. HPL is also active in several cities in Mexico, and its largest contingent in that country is located in Nuevo Laredo. The gang is structured and is estimated to have 1,000 members. Members maintain close ties to several Mexican DTOs (Drug Trafficking Organizations) and are involved in the trafficking of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States for distribution.


The Pistoleros Latinos began to multiply in the 1990’s after the gang began recruiting members from cities out side of the Rio Grande Valley. The original HPL members from the Rio Grande Valley resented the new members being recruited from San Antonio and Houston, Texas. A power struggle within the prison gang’s ranks ensued causing the group to splinter into two separate chapters. The original HPL members decided to call themselves the HPL 45’s, while the San Antonio and Houston members were known as the 16/12’s. The two factions went to war and finally reunited under the name HPL in 1998.


Symbols: 16/12, 45, HPL, tattoos of 45 caliber automatic pistols (handguns)
Territory: Laredo, Rio Grande Valley and cities across the state of TX, and southern Mexico.
Allies: none
Members: 1,000
Ethnicity: Hispanic

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In 1982, Texas prisoners Joe Mendoza and Alberto Rodriguez form the Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In Early 1985, an alliance is formed between the HPL and the Mexikanemi. Both gangs attempt to destroy the Texas Syndicate in a 10 year prison gang war. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1987, a power struggle within the gang’s ranks ensued causing the group to splinter into two separate chapters. The original HPL members decided to call themselves the HPL 45’s, while the San Antonio and Houston members were known as the 16/12’s. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1992, both the HPL and Mexikanemi settle a truce with the rival Texas Syndicate. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1997, the HPL declares war on the Raza Unida after RU members refuse to allow the HPL to recruit new members at a south Texas transfer facility. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1998, the two HPL factions, the 45’s and the 16/12’s finally reunite in 1998. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1999, the HPL and Raza Unida both settle a truce after 1 year of fighting. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On March 20, 2000, HPL member Antonio Lara, 28, uses dental floss to cut out of his cell at the Coffield unit and brutally murders 41 year old Roland Rios of the Texas Syndicate as he's being escorted in handcuffs by guards to the shower. Unable to defend himself Rios is stabbed over 30 times and dies at the scene. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 2001, HPL members are attacked by the Texas Syndicate at the Telford maximum security prison in Texarkana, Texas. The HPL declare war on TS soon after. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On January 2003, the Raza Unida declares war on the HPL over drug related conflicts. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On November 24, 2003, HPL members brutally murder 6 year old Robert Conchola by shooting the child in the face. The victim’s father was a known member of the Raza Unida prison gang and involved in a drug dispute with the HPL. Loya v. State, No. 13-04-00537-CR (Tex. App. 7/6/2006) (Tex. App., 2006)

On December 6, 2003, Raza Unida members murder rival HPL member Michael Rodriguez on a desolate dirt road. Rodriguez had died from numerous gunshot wounds to the head, abdomen, and extremities. The murder involved a gang war between the Raza Unida and Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos.Salazar v. State, No. 13-06-00075-CR (Tex. App. 4/10/2008) (Tex. App., 2008)

On January 2004, the Raza Unida declare war on the HPL(Gang Intelligence 101)

In 2004, the HPL and Texas Syndicate settle on a truce. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On April 17, 2005, HPL member Johnny Oscar Villarreal murders former gang associates Donald Bonham in a bar in Beeville, Texas. Bonham is murdered after he fails to report to gang meetings. Munoz v. State, No. 01-08-00223-CR (Tex. App. 1/29/2009) (Tex. App., 2009)

In May 2005, The Raza Unida and HPL settle on a peace treaty. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On November 2005, law enforcement officials learn that HPL members in Laredo, Texas are supporting the Gulf Cartel and are receiving narcotics from the cartel at discount prices. (Associated Press)

On September 28, 2006, the HPL is nearly dismantled by the FBI after 12 of its highest ranking members are indicted on 17 counts of federal drug and firearm possession, conspiracy, distribution and other criminal violations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation dubs the bust "Operation Pistol Whipped" and raid several homes in pre-dawn hours across the state. (Associated Press)

In 2007, members of the Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos prison gang were charged with stealing large loads of narcotics from Mc Allen, Texas drug traffickers and reselling the drugs. Arrested are HPL members Robert Ortega-Martinez, 28, Ricardo Villegas, 28, Eduardo Ontiveros-Trevino, 37, Jaime Alberto Saavedra, 29, Victor Marquez, 28, and Jesus Espinosa, 30. (Associated Press)

Border Brothers

The Border Brothers gang was founded in 1989 by Sergio Gonzalez-Martinez and others in Tijuana, Mexico. The Mexican gang spread into California in 1990 and began recruiting criminal illegal immigrants in barrios across San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno and Oakland. The gang made bitter enemies with the Mara Salvatrucha, and other northern California street gangs. In 1994, members began recruiting inside of state and federal prisons.


Tattoos: The letters BB, the number 22 (2=B), or the roman numeral XXII (22).
They also use a jaguar-shaped Aztec warrior god pictured in a burning sun.
Territory: California, Arizona, Nevada, Denver and Tijuana Mexico
Alliances: 18th Street Gang
Members: 2000+
Ethnicity: Hispanic

Ocelotl

In Aztec mythology, Ocelotl signifies power, valor, and reckless abandon in the face of danger.

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In 1989, the Border Brothers is founded in the streets of Tijuana, Mexico. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1990, the Border Brothers spreads into southern and northern California. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1993, "The Cat" Carlos quits the Border Brothers gangs and joins the Guardian Angels to help stop gang violence was once a member of the Mexican gang Border Brothers. (Associated Press)

In 1994, the Border Brothers establishes itself in the California and Arizona prison system. (Gang Intelligence 101)

March 1996, Border Patrol agents nab Border Brother gang member Eulogio Soriano-Vasquez, 30, after he attempts to smuggle narcotics across the Mexico / Arizona border. (Associated Press)

In 1998, members of the PRM (Partido Revolucionario Mexicano) assist the Tijuana, Mexico based Border Brother’s gang in a riot against the Azteca’s in a federal penitentiary. Tension erupts and both gangs attempt to settle the dispute. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In early 2005, Barrio Azteca members brutally murder a member of the rival Border Brothers gang in Mexico’s Cereso prison. (Associated Press)

In 2007, members of the Border Brothers murder Sur-13 member Ulises Pineda in Oakland, California. 90 minutes later the Sureno gang retaliates by murdering Border Brother member 32-year-old Nester Molina. (Associated Press

On April 3, 2007, members of the Border Brothers shoot and murder two Norteno gang members in Oakland, California. (Associated Press)

On May 9, 2007, four Border Brothers gang are charged in the murder of a 23-year-old pregnant woman who was walking near members of an enemy gang the suspects were trying to shoot. (Associated Press)

Barrio Azteca

Barrio Azteca is one of the most violent prison gangs in the United States. The gang is highly structured and has an estimated membership of 2,000. Most members are Mexican national or Mexican American males. Barrio Azteca is most active in the southwestern region, primarily in federal, state, and local corrections facilities in Texas and outside prison in southwestern Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The gang’s main source of income is derived from smuggling heroin, powdered cocaine, and marijuana from Mexico into the United States for distribution both inside and outside prisons. Gang members often transport illicit drugs across the U.S.–Mexico border for DTOs. Barrio Azteca members also are involved in alien smuggling, arson, assault, auto theft, burglary, extortion, intimidation, kidnapping, robbery, and weapons violations.


The Barrio Azteca was founded in 1986 by gangsters Benito “Benny” Acosta, Alberto “Indio” Estrada, Benjamín “T-Top” Olivarez, Manuel "Tolon" Cardoza, Manuel “El Grande” Fernandez, Raúl “Rabillo” Fierro and José “Gitano” Ledesma. The gang succeeded in attracting thousands of violent offenders who hated the Mexikanemi and Texas Syndicate. The Barrio Azteca’s primary goal was to dominate the prison system and gain control of it’s lucrative drug trade. Members of this ruthless prison gang are all Hispanic and most from El Paso, west Texas and northern Mexico. The gang has grown to become one of the nations most dangerous prison gangs and is currently on the FBI and DEA’s #1 threat list.

Following their emergence into the prison gang scene, both the Texas Syndicate and Mexican Mafia refused to recognize the Aztec’s and declared war with the gang. The out numbered Azteca’s struggle to battle their numerous enemies but some how managed to prevail by murdering several members of the Texas Syndicate in prisons and jails all over the state of Texas. Barrio Azteca earned the respect of the Texas Syndicate and Mexican Mafia and a peace treaty was signed on July of 1997. The Azteca’s have multiplied and now out number the Texas Syndicate. The highly organized prison gang currently operates in both state and federal prisons all over the United States and Mexico.


Symbols: 915, EPT, 21, BA, Azteca theme tattoos
Territory: El Paso TX, Ciudad Juarez, Midland TX, Odessa TX, Las Cruces New Mexico, and small chapters across the United States and northern Mexican state of Chihuahua.
Alliances: Juarez Cartel
Members: 2,000
Ethnicity: Hispanic

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In 1987, Barrio Azteca members murder a Raza Unida prospect. The Raza Unida do not retaliate and validate the attack after it is discovered that that the victim was a former associate of the Barrio Azteca. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1988, the Mexikanemi instigates a war with the Barrio Azteca at the Cofield unit. A major state wide battle between the two prison gangs claims the lives of 2 inmates. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1993, the Barrio Azteca brutally beat and murder a Texas Syndicate member in the El Paso County jail causing the Texas Syndicate to alliance it’s self with the Mexikanemi. Both the Texas Syndicate and Mexikanemi team up against the Barrio Azteca. (El Paso Times)

In 1994, Barrio Azteca members murder a Texas Syndicate member at the Wallace unit in Colorado City, Texas. (Associated Press)

In 1995, the Barrio Azteca stop the growth of an up and coming prison gang called the West Texas Carnales. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On April 1996, Barrio Azteca members murder a former Mexican Mafia member by strangling him to death in the El Paso County jail. (El Paso Times)

On June of 1997 the Mexikanemi and Texas Syndicate settle a truce and sign a peace agreement called the “Manifesto”. The gangs agree to revise the manifesto each year on May 5th. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 1998, members of the PRM (Partido Revolucionario Mexicano) assist the Tijuana, Mexico based Border Brother’s gang in a riot against the Azteca’s in a federal penitentiary. Tension erupts and both gangs attempt to settle the dispute.

In 1999, members of the PRM (Partido Revolucionario Mexicano) attack a member of the Barrio Azteca at the Terrell unit in Livingston, Texas. The Azteca’s retaliate by murdering a 3 PRM rival and injuring several in prisons state wide. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 2000, a PRM member is murdered by Azteca’s at the Cereso prison in Juarez. (Associated Press)

On late 2000, Azteca captain Alberto Indio Estrada is released from prison after spending 17 years locked up. He deserts the gang and steals funds belonging to the organization. Manuel El Grande Fernandez replaces Estrada as leader. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 2001, both the Tango Blast and Barrio Azteca engage in a gang fight in a gymnasium at the Torrez state prison in Hondo, Texas. Both gangs settle a truce soon after. (Associated Press)

On January of 2002, members of the Barrio Azteca brutally stab a Tango Blast member while the victim is using the restroom at the Robertson state prison in Abilene, Texas. A gang war between the two gangs erupts state wide soon after. (Associated Press)

On June 2002, the Tango Blast retaliates against the Barrio Azteca by severely beating 4 of its members in the John B. Connally state prison in Kenedy, Texas. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 2003, the Barrio Azteca and Juarez drug cartel form an alliance and together both gangs vow to eliminate every PRM member in northern Mexico. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On July 2003, The Barrio Azteca declares war on the New Mexico Syndicate over a drug and territory dispute in southern New Mexico. (Gang Intelligence 101)

In 2004, the Sinaloa drug cartel and Juarez cartel form alliances and create a federation between the two. The Barrio Azteca is included and carries out executions for the Federation. (Associated Press)

In early 2005, Barrio Azteca members brutally murder a member of the rival Border Brothers gang in Mexico’s Cereso prison. (Associated Press)

In February 2005, the Azteca’s pay Cereso guards to supply the gang with hammers and shields. The Azteca then break down a wall that separates the Azteca majority with the PRM minority. 6 members of the PRM are brutally murdered by Azteca’s. (Associated Press)

On August 2005, Barrio Azteca member Chato Flores is kidnapped and murdered by fellow Azteca members for stealing millions of dollars from the Juarez cartel. Associated Press)

On January 2005, officials of the city of El Paso enforce an injunction on the Barrio Azteca in an effort to stop narcotics dealing on the streets. (El Paso Times)

On June 2006, 29-year-old ex Barrio Azteca member David Fonseca Jr. is brutally murdered in a parking lot by members of the prison gang. (El Paso Times)

On 2006, the Azteca’s experience a power struggle between leaders and 8 members of the gang are murdered by fellow members. (Gang Intelligence 101)

On October 2006, Phyllis Woodall, the owner of the strip club Naked Harem, is arrested and charged with operating a prostitution ring with the Barrio Azteca. Woodall is sentenced to 16 years in prison. (El Paso Times)

In 2007, Federal Public Defender Sandy Valles, 58, is arrested after FBI agents discover phone recordings of alleged gang leaders in prison conducting criminal transactions with Sandy Valles New. (El Paso Times)

On May 2007, Johnny "Conejo" Michelletti, a former Azteca gang member, reveals crucial gang intelligence to the FBI. The information is used to indict several of the gang’s leaders. As a result, dozens of ranking members of the Barrio Azteca are arrested and charged under RICO (The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) and sentenced to federal prison. Ranking members indicted and convicted are gang captains Carlos Perea, Manuel Cardoza, Benjamin Alvarez, Francisco Herrera, Eugene Mona and Arturo Enriquez. (El Paso Times)

On April 17, 2008, Barrio Azteca leader David "Chicho" Meraz, 49, is found slain in Juárez. Meraz who was the gangs Juarez Capo was murdered by fellow Azteca members. (Associated Press)

On March, 4, 2009, dozens of members of the Barrio Azteca murder 20 PRM prison gang rivals at the Cereso State prison in Chihuahua, Mexico. (Associated Press)

On May 18, 2009, 15 Barrio Azteca members are arrested by the FBI for cocaine dealing, including Azteca gang captain Gualberto "Bird". (El Paso Times)

On September 03, 2009, 18 Barrio Azteca members gunned down in Juarez rehab. (Associated Press)

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The Barrio Azteca is one of the most violent prison gangs operating within the U.S. Most members are Mexican nationals or Mexican-Americans. They're known for their extensive tattoos.

U.S. Drug War: Contract Killers for Mexican Cartels

CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO (By William Booth, Washington Post) April 4, 2010 ― A cross-border drug gang born in the prison cells of Texas has evolved into a sophisticated paramilitary killing machine U.S. and Mexican officials suspect is responsible for thousands of assassinations here, including the recent ambush and slaying of three people linked to the U.S. consulate. The heavily tattooed Barrio Azteca gang members have long operated across the border in El Paso, dealing drugs and stealing cars. But in Ciudad Juarez, the organization now specializes in contract killing for the Juarez drug cartel. According to U.S. law enforcement officers, it may have been involved in as many as half of the 2,660 killings in the city in the past year. Officials on both sides of the border have watched as the Aztecas honed their ability to locate targets, stalk them and finally strike in brazen ambushes involving multiple chase cars, coded radio communications, coordinated blocking maneuvers and disciplined firepower by masked gunmen in body armor. Afterward, the assassins vanish, back to safe houses in the Juarez barrios or across the bridge to El Paso. "Within their business of killing, they have surveillance people, intel people and shooters. They have a degree of specialization," said David Cuthbertson, special agent in charge of the FBI's El Paso division. "They work day in and day out, with a list of people to kill, and they get proficient at it." The special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in El Paso, Joseph Arabit, said, "Our intelligence indicates they kill frequently for a hundred dollars." The mayor of Juarez, José Reyes Ferriz, said the city is honeycombed with safe houses, armories and garages with stolen cars for the assassins' use. The mayor received a death threat recently in a note left beside a pig's head in the city. Arabit said investigators have no evidence to suggest the Barrio Azteca gang includes former military personnel or police. It is, however, working for the Juarez cartel, which includes La Linea, an enforcement element composed in part of former Juarez police officers, according to Mexican officials. "There has to be some form of training going on," said an anti-gang detective with the El Paso sheriff's department, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the nature of his work. "I don't know who, and I don't know where. But how else would you explain how they operate?" On March 13, Lesley Enriquez Redelfs, 35, who worked for the U.S. Consulate in Juarez, and her husband, Arthur Redelfs, 34, a deputy in the El Paso sheriff's department and a detention officer at the county jail, were returning home to El Paso from a children's party sponsored by the U.S. consul in Juarez. As their white sport-utility vehicle neared the international bridge that sunny Saturday afternoon, they were attacked by gunmen in at least two chase cars. When police arrived, they found the couple dead in their vehicle and their infant daughter wailing in her car seat. The intersection was littered with casings from AK-47 assault rifles and 9mm guns. Ten minutes before the Redelfs were killed, Jorge Alberto Ceniceros Salcido, 37, a supervisor at a Juarez assembly plant whose wife, Hilda Antillon Jimenez, also works for the U.S. Consulate, was attacked and slain in similar style. He had just left the same party and was also driving a white SUV, with his children in the car. According to intelligence gathered in Juarez and El Paso, U.S. investigators were quick to suspect the Barrio Azteca gang in connection with what President Obama has called the "brutal murders." What was unclear, they said, was the motive. U.S. diplomats and agents have declined to describe the killings as a targeted confrontation with the U.S. government, which had been pushing to place U.S. drug intelligence officers in a Juarez police headquarters to more quickly pass along leads. Five days after the consulate killings, the DEA unleashed in El Paso a multiagency "gang sweep" called Operation Knockdown to gather intelligence from Barrio Azteca members. Over four days, officers questioned 363 people, including about 200 gang members or their associates, and made 26 felony arrests. Soon after, the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning the Barrio Azteca gang had given "a green light" to the retaliatory killing of U.S. law enforcement officers. Authorities were especially interested in Eduardo Ravelo, a captain of the Barrio Azteca enterprise allegedly responsible for operations in Juarez. In October, the FBI had placed Ravelo and his mug shot on its 10-most-wanted list, though they warned Ravelo may have had plastic surgery and altered his fingerprints. Ravelo is still at large. DEA agents say 27 Barrio Azteca members were detained as they tried to cross from El Paso to Juarez during Operation Knockdown, evidence of gang members' fluid movement between the two countries. This week, authorities announced Mexican soldiers, using information from the FBI and other sources, had arrested Ricardo Valles de la Rosa, an Azteca sergeant, in Juarez. Valles's confession was obtained at a military base where he was allegedly beaten, according to his attorney, a public defender. He has not been charged in the consulate killings, though he is charged with killing rival gang members, including members of an enterprise known as the Artistic Assassins, or "Double A's," who operate as contract killers for the Sinaloa cartel. Sinaloa is vying for control of billion dollar drug-trafficking routes through the Juarez-El Paso corridor. In his statements, Valles said he was told through a chain of letters and phone calls from Barrio Azteca leaders in the El Paso county jail and their associates gang leaders wanted Redelfs, the El Paso sheriff's deputy, killed because of his treatment of Azteca members in jail and his alleged threats against them. Valles said he tracked down Redelfs at the children's party and then handed off the hit to others. He said the killing of the factory supervisor was a mistake because he was driving a white SUV similar to Redelfs's. El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles said in a statement Valles was a career criminal and denied Redelfs had mistreated inmates. Wiles stressed the motives remain unknown. Fred Burton, a former State Department special agent and now a security adviser for the Texas government, said he is suspicious of attempts to underplay the killings. "These were targeted hits done by sophisticated operators," he said. "But it is not politically expedient for either side to say criminal organizations were behind this. That is a nightmare scenario for them." Mexican officials say Valles, 45, was born in Juarez but grew up in El Paso, where he lived for 30 years. Nicknamed "Chino," he was a member of the Los Fatherless street gang in El Paso. In 1995, he was convicted of distributing drugs and spent 12 years in eight U.S. federal prisons, where he met an Azteca gang leader. After his release, he was deported to Mexico and began working with the Aztecas in Juarez. The theory the carnage in Juarez is being stoked by rival gangs of contract killers -- the Barrio Aztecas and the Artistic Assassins -- each working for rival drug cartels makes sense to many observers. The gangs are a binational phenomenon whose members exploit the mistrust between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement, said Howard Campbell, a professor at the University of Texas in El Paso and an expert on the drug trade. "They use the border to their advantage," Campbell said.

18th Street Gang

18th Street is considered the largest street gang in Los Angeles, California 18th Street is a group of loosely associated sets or cliques, each led by an influential member. Membership is estimated to be 8,000 to 20,000. In California approximately 80 percent of the gang’s members are illegal aliens from Mexico and Central America. The gang is active in 44 cities in 20 states. Its main source of income is street-level distribution of cocaine and marijuana and, to a lesser extent, heroin and methamphetamine. Gang members also commit assault, auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shooting, extortion, homicide, identification fraud, and robbery.


There are approximately 20 separate individual autonomous gangs operating under the same label with separate barrios in the San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Valley, the South Bay, South Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles, Pico Union, Inglewood, and Cudahy according to the latest figures from the NDIC.

Diesiocho = #18

The 18th Street gang was the first Hispanic gang to break the racial membership barrier. Membership was originally open to Latinos. Although most members tend to be of Latino descent, membership has opened to other backgrounds, including Central American, African American, Middle Eastern, Asian, Caucasian, and Native American. 18th Street have an organized hierarchy. It is unknown who is at the top. On the streets, there are the Shotcallers, their Lieutenants, and the foot-soldiers beneath them. Although the gang is well networked throughout the nation, Mexico, and Central America, there is no known central leadership nationally or internationally. Cliques generally function independently, but will join forces when combating rival gangs or law enforcement. The 18 Street gang criminal activities have caught the attention of the FBI.



As with most gangs, 18th Street gang members can be easily identified by their tattoos. A common identifier is the number 18 (Spanish: dieciocho), which is usually represented in the Roman numerals (X8) (XVIII) (XV3) and sometimes they also use 666 or 99 (6+6+6=18 / 9+9=18). Some use the number 5 meaning the fifth letter of the Alphabet. They also tattoo themselves with the word BEST, which stands for Barrio Eighteen STreet. Members engage in graffiti to mark their territory.


Territory: Mostly in Los Angeles, the western and southern areas of the United States, and Central America
Ethnicity: Hispanic, black, white
Membership: 8,000 - 20,000
Allies: Sureños (Sur 13), Florencia 13, Mexican Mafia
Rivals: Norteños, Bloods, Clanton 14, Culver City Boyz, Longos, MS-13
Criminal activities: Drug trafficking, assault, robbery, rum running, prostitution, extortion, arms trafficking, murder, contract killing, illegal gambling, vandalism, producing fake ids, and producing fake food stamps

Florencia 13

Florencia 13 (F 13 or FX 13) originated in Los Angeles in the early 1960s; gang membership is estimated to be more than 3,000 members. The gang operates primarily in California and increasingly in Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico, and Utah. Florencia 13 is subordinate to the Mexican Mafia (La Eme) prison gang and claims Sureños (Sur 13) affiliation. A primary source of income for gang members is the trafficking of cocaine and methamphetamine. Gang members smuggle multikilogram-quantities of powdered cocaine and methamphetamine obtained from sources of supply in Mexico into the United States for distribution. Also, gang members produce large quantities of methamphetamine in southern California for local distribution. Florencia members are involved in other criminal activities including assault, drive-by shooting, and homicide.

Fresno Bulldogs

Fresno Bulldogs is a street gang that originated in Fresno, California, in the late 1960s. Bulldogs is the largest Hispanic gang operating in central California, with membership estimated at 5,000 to 6,000. Bulldogs is one of the few Hispanic gangs in California that claim neither Sureños (Southern) nor Norteños (Northern) affiliation. However, gang members associate with Nuestra Familia (NF) members, particularly when trafficking drugs. The street-level distribution of methamphetamine, marijuana, and heroin is a primary source of income for gang members. In addition, members are involved in other types of criminal activity including assault, burglary, homicide, and robbery.

Nuestra Familia

Nuestra Familia (Spanish for "Our Family") is a criminal organization of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. While members of the Norteños gang are considered to be affiliated with Nuestra Familia, being a member of Nuestra Familia itself does not signify association as a Norteño. Some law enforcement agents speculate that the Norteños were possibly a spin-off of Nuestra Familia in an attempt to divert prison official attention from NF.

Nuestra Familia was organized in either the Folsom, California, or Soledad, California, Correctional Training Facilities in 1968.

In the late 1960s, Mexican-American (Chicano) inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Nuestra Familia and the 1957-formed Mexican Mafia, according to the locations of their hometowns (the north-south dividing line is near Delano, California.)

Nuestra Familia were prison enemies of the Southern Latinos who comprised La Eme, better known as the Mexican Mafia. While the Mexican Mafia had initially been created to protect Mexicans in prison, there was a perceived level of abuse by members of La Eme towards the imprisoned Latinos from rural farming areas of Northern California. The spark that led to the ongoing war between Nuestra Familia and members of the Mexican Mafia involved a situation in which a member of La Eme allegedly stole a pair of shoes from a Northerner. This event put into motion the longest-running gang war in the state of California.

Sombrero with dagger tattoo

Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate Nuestra Familia, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. In 2000 and 2001, 22 members were indicted on racketeering charges, including several who were allegedly serving as high-ranking gang leaders while confined in Pelican Bay. Thirteen of the defendants plead guilty; the other cases are still ongoing. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade. The largest of the federal investigations was Operation Black Widow. At the time of Operation Black Widow, law enforcement officials had estimated that Nuestra Familia was responsible for at least 600 murders in the previous 30 years.

In the aftermath of Operation Black Widow, the five highest ranking leaders of Nuestra Familia were transferred to a federal supermaximum prison in Florence, Colorado. The written constitution of the Norteños stated that the leadership of the gang reside in Pelican Bay State Prison in California; the relocation of the gang's leaders led to the confusion of its soldiers and a power struggle of prospective generals.

Three new generals came to power at Pelican Bay, yet two were demoted, leaving only David "DC" Cervantes as the highest ranking member of the gang in California. Cervantes' rise marked the first time in decades that the Norteños had a single leader at the helm of their criminal organization. The remaining leadership of the organization in Pelican Bay consists of Daniel "Stork" Perez, Anthony "Chuco" Guillen and George "Puppet" Franco. While all Nuestra Familia soldiers and captains in California are expected to follow the orders of Cervantes, a small percentage of the gang remains loyal to the former generals and captains imprisoned in Colorado. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has complained that keeping the five remaining gang leaders located in the same prison continues to add to California gang violence, and that they should be scattered throughout different prisons. While the recognized leaders of Nuestra Familia in Pelican Bay ask that members respect the former leaders, they have been effectively stripped of their authority. The former leaders include James "Tibbs" Morado, Joseph "Pinky" Hernandez, Gerald "Cuete" Rubalcaba, Cornelio Tristan, and Tex Marin Hernandez.

While Nuestra Familia is primarily a Chicano gang, membership sometimes extends to other Latinos as well as non-Latinos. Members of the organization are considered to have taken a "blood oath" to join the gang, and are considered lifelong participants. Nuestra Familia's written constitution allegedly states that no member should prioritize women, money or drugs over their membership in the gang. Membership in the gang extends beyond prison. Women are not allowed to become full-fledged members of Nuestra Familia, but are sometimes used for communication and drug-running purposes as they are considered less likely to be noticed by law enforcement agents. The NF has a formal written constitution and claims about 2000 inmate members with an additional tens of thousands members on the outside.

Members of Nuestra Familia are known to wear red bandanas to identify themselves. Other symbols include use of the number 14, as the letter "N" is the 14th letter of the English alphabet. Nuestra Familia members often use the image of a sombrero with a dagger as their gang symbol.

The primary rivals of Nuestra Familia are the Mexican Mafia. Other rivals include the Texas Syndicate, Mexikanemi, and the Aryan Brotherhood. Nuestra Familia has a loose alliance with the Black Guerrilla Family prison gang, primarily as the response of sharing similar enemies.

Years active: 1968 – present
Territory: Northern California and Central California .
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Criminal activities: Drug Trafficking, Extortion, Racketeering, Murder
Allies: Norteños, Northern Structure, Black Guerilla Family
Rivals: Sureños, Mexican Mafia, Mexikanemi, Aryan Brotherhood, Florencia 13, 18th Street Gang

Mexican Mafia - La Eme

The Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme (Spanish for the letter M) is an American-originated mostly Mexican-American criminal organization, and is one of the oldest and most powerful prison gangs in the United States.

The Mexican Mafia was formed in the late 1950s by Chicano street gang members incarcerated at the Deuel Vocational Institution, a state prison located in Tracy, California.

The foundation of the gang began with thirteen members of the Maravilla gang. These thirteen prisoners that laid the groundwork for the gang referred to themselves as Mexikanemi, which is translated from Nahuatl as "He Who walks with God in his heart." The initial founding member of the gang was Luis "Huero Buff" Flores, who was previously a member of the Hawaiian Gardens gang.

While the Mexican Mafia was founded in part to show reverence to Aztec and Maya heritage, its primary focus was to protect members against other prison inmates as well as corrections officers. Deuel Vocational Institution was treated as an educational facility by convicts, where they would develop their skills in fighting, drug dealing, and creating weapons.

Luis Flores initially recruited violent members to the gang, in an attempt to create a highly-feared organization which could control the black market activities of the Deuel prison facilities. As a response to the increase in violence, the California Department of Corrections transferred some members of the Mexican Mafia to other prison facilities, including San Quentin Prison. This action inadvertently helped the Mexican Mafia in recruiting new members in both the prison and juvenile correctional facilities in California.

Aztec calendar, black hand, Mexican eagle, letter "M"

In the late 1960s, Mexican-American (Chicano) inmates of the California state prison began to form a rival group to the Mexican Mafia, known as Nuestra Familia. Membership was often determined according to the locations of their hometowns (the north-south dividing line generally accepted as Bakersfield, California.)

There was a perceived level of abuse by members of the Mexican Mafia towards the imprisoned Latinos from rural farming areas of Northern California. The spark that led to the ongoing war between Nuestra Familia and members of the Mexican Mafia involved a situation in which a member of La Eme allegedly stole a pair of shoes from a Northerner. This event put into motion the longest-running gang war in the state of California.

The Mexican Mafia is an organization involved in extortion, drug trafficking, and murder, both in and outside the prison system. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mexican Mafia had arranged for contract killings to be carried out by the Aryan Brotherhood, a white prison gang. Both the Mexican Mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood are mutual enemies of the African-American gang Black Guerilla Family.

The first prison gang street execution in Los Angeles was committed by the Mexican Mafia in 1971. Responsible for the murder was a white Maravilla gang member named Joe "Pegleg" Morgan. Morgan was well respected within the ranks of the Mexican Mafia and became a high ranking member. His connections with cocaine and heroin suppliers in Mexico helped pave the foundation for the Mexican Mafia's narcotics distribution throughout California. During the 1970s, while under the control of Rudy Cadena, the Mexican Mafia often took control over various community groups. The gang was able to filter money from alcohol and drug prevention programs to finance their criminal activities.

In 1995, United States federal authorities indicted 22 members and associates of the Mexican Mafia, charged under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act with crimes which included extortion, murder and kidnapping. One of the arrested members, Benjamin "Topo" Peters, was allegedly the Mexican Mafia's highest ranking member, and was engaged in a power struggle with fellow member Ruben "Tupi" Hernandez. Another indicted member was accused of having plotted the death of an anti-gang activist who served as a consultant for the film American Me. The indictments marked a two-year investigation by federal, local and state law enforcement officials.

In 2006, a 36-count federal indictment was brought against members of the Mexican Mafia. The arrests were made for alleged acts of violence, drug dealing, and extortion against smaller Latino street gangs. According to the federal indictment, Mexican Mafia members exert their influence in both federal and state prison systems through either violence or the threat of violence.

Members and associates of the gang remain fiercely loyal to the criminal organization both in and outside of prison, particularly in Southern California cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego. The gang asserts its influence over other gangs throughout Southern California by threatening violence against their members should they ever become incarcerated. Gangs and drug dealers who refuse to pay a protection "tax" to the Mexican Mafia are often murdered or threatened with murder. High-ranking members of the Mexican Mafia who are locked in private cells for 23 hours of each day are still able to communicate with their associates, through methods which range from tapping in code on prison plumbing pipes to smuggled letters.


While the Mexican Mafia is a highly-organized criminal entity, it is believed that the gang presently is not presided over by a single leader. Prison membership of the gang is believed to consist of at least 150 members with authority to order murders, and at least 1000 associates who can carry out those orders. It is estimated that the Mexican Mafia has over 30,000 members throughout the United States.

Modeled after the Sicilian Mafia in the United States, the Mexican Mafia operates on a paramilitary structure, including generals, captains, lieutenants and sergeants. Those ranking below the sergeants are considered soldiers, sometimes referred to as "carnales."

Members of the Mexican Mafia are expected to engage in tests of their loyalty to the gang, which may include theft or murder. The penalty for refusing orders or failing to complete an assigned task is often death. According to the gang's constitution, members may also be punished or murdered if they commit any of four major infractions. These include becoming an informant, acts of homosexuality, acts of cowardice, and showing disrespect against fellow gang members. According to gang policy, a member of the Mexican Mafia may not be murdered without prior approval by a vote of three members, yet the murder of non-members requires no formal approval.

During the early 1960s at San Quentin Prison, Luis Flores and Rudy "Cheyenne" Cadena established a blood oath for members of the Mexican Mafia. Prior to the establishment of the oath, members of the Mexican Mafia were allowed to return to their street gangs after incarceration. The new oath stipulated that the only way for a member to leave the Mexican Mafia was to be killed. Flores and Cadena also established a set of gang commandments. These included policies such as: a new member must be sponsored by an existing member, unanimous approval from all existing members to join (no longer policy), prioritizing the gang over one's family, denial of the existence of the Mexican Mafia to law enforcement or non-members, disrespect of other members, forgiving street conflicts which existed before incarceration. Execution of a member of the gang for policy violation must be committed by the gang member who sponsored him.

While mostly found in California, the Mexican Mafia has a membership which extends to other states including Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The Mexican Mafia holds a strong alliance with the Aryan Brotherhood. The primary rivals of the Mexican Mafia are Nuestra Familia. The Mexican Mafia is also a rival of the Black Guerrilla Family prison gang, which holds a loose alliance with Nuestra Familia.

Mexican Mafia symbols include images of a black hand. The gang's primary symbol, which is often used in tattoos by members, is the national symbol of Mexico (eagle and a snake) atop a flaming circle over crossed knives.

Members of the Mexican Mafia often use the number 13 as gang identification, as the letter "M" is the 13th letter of the English alphabet.


Symbols: black hand of death, EME, 13, Emero, So Cal, Mafia Mexicana, Aztec calendar
Founder: Luis "Huero Buff" Flores
Years active: 1957–present
Territory: US federal prison system and Southern California
Membership: 100,000
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Allies: Sureños, Mexikanemi, Aryan Brotherhood, Florencia 13, 18th Street Gang
Rivals: Norteños, Nuestra Familia, Northern Structure, Black Guerilla Family

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Arizona New Mexican Mafia

Around 1974, a group of Hispanic inmates at Arizona State Prison, Florence, formed a prison gang know as the Mexican Mafia. Arizona Department of Corrections officials at that time obtained information that this group pattered themselves after the California Mexican Mafia which had been in existence for several years. Several Hispanics who came into the Arizona Prison System brought the concept and philosophy of the California Mexican Mafia.

In 1978 the Mexican Mafia split into two organizations. One kept the original philosophy and structure and currently refer to themselves as the Original Mexican Mafia, "Califas Faction", "EME". The other, which came into prominence in 1984, refer to themselves as the New Mexican Mafia. Many assaults and murders of members of both groups have occurred as a result of each organization claiming the title of "Mexican Mafia" within the Arizona prison system.

Members of the New Mexican Mafia consider themselves autonomous with relation to the Original Mexican Mafia and the parent organization in California. They have created their own rules and regulations and have established an organizational structure. Each member is allowed to vote on issues regarding membership and leadership. The leader, approved by the members has the power to solely decide important issues (i.e., revoke present membership or reject new members) and may approve new members without an organization vote. As of the printing of this workbook, a few influential members are consulted on major issues by the leader. This may discontinue with a change of leadership.

Membership is comprised of inmates who have many years within the prison system, some were members of the Original Mexican Mafia, as well as first time offenders. Several newly recruited members have been identified as belonging to Hispanic street gangs throughout Arizona. Most members have been documented by law enforcement as having the New Mexican Mafia tattoo. All members are encouraged to wear it.

Members are allowed to use their own creative individuality for the tattoo pattern, however all "Pachas" or patterns must have the skull, double "MM" and the flames around the circle. The double M. Must curve downward and cross at the bottom. This signifies that the member has crossed over from the original Mexican Mafia to the New Mexican Mafia, if he was a member of the former. The large flames are to lean counter-clockwise and be partially shaded. The small flames lean clockwise and are supposed to be completely shaded.

The rose is considered the highest honor a member can obtain. It signifies that the member has successfully completed [a mission] an assault on his [the gang's] "enemies".