Ms-13

BEGINNINGS

During the civil war in El Salvador in the 1980s many Salvadorans emigrated to the United States seeking opportunities. Many of them settled in Los Angeles and other parts of California and Washington DC . Finding themselves in the poorest neighborhoods, without jobs, and not liked by some Hispanics , who were mostly Mexicans , they formed the Marasalvatrucha Stoners (MSS) gang in what is known as the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles, allegedly to protect themselves. The group later dropped the stoners moniker and style of dress becoming simply the Marasalvatrucha and adopting the Cholo way of dress. They soon became involved in drug trafficking as well as committing murders.

GEOGRAPHICAL PRESENCE

Although founded among immigrants in the United States, Mara Salvatrucha now has a large presence in El Salvador. Much of this is due to the United States policy of deporting convicted criminals back to their Country Of Origin . Back in El Salvador, these deportees have recruited more members, including new members who emigrate illegally to the United States.

The age of a Mara Salvatrucha member can range from 8 to 50. The gangs have moved from beyond their Salvadoran and Los Angeles origins and can be found now in Belize , Northern Honduras , Guatemala , Canada , Mexico , and over 30 U.S. State s, especially on Long Island , New Orleans and around Washington, DC in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Some sets have even been founded in Spain , Italy , even Belgium . Not many of the founding members remain, and the original purpose of forming the MS-13 has become lost with time and transformed into a common criminal gang with a peculiar structure. Many original members belonged to right-wing death squads who degenerated into criminal activity and joined MS-13 for various reasons. Members of these various groups have training in Firearms , Explosives , and Booby Traps . There is no centralization or hierarchy among the gang from different regions, although a 2004 report by the U.S. National Drug Intelligence Center says chapters of Mara Salvatrucha in different areas may be trying to set up a coordination network. In 2005 , police in Maryland and Northern Virginia Suburb s of Washington, D.C. , noticed an increase in the presence of the gang, including incidents of gang-related stabbings and other violence.

When it first began in the U.S., Mara Salvatrucha only allowed Salvadorans as members, but today the gang includes members from other Latin American countries. Mara Salvatrucha also has some non-Latino black members. Members are strongly encouraged to have tattoos to express their allegiance to Mara Salvatrucha. Those who join are expected to remain members for life, and anyone who leaves the gang is placed under sentence of death.

THE NAME AND INFLUENCES

The word "mara" means gang. "Salvatrucha" is a 13 in their name as a reference to their roots on 13th Street in Los Angeles, and because of influences from other Hispanic gangs such as the Mexican Mafia or Sureño s who are known to use the number 13 to identify each other. The number 13 represents Hispanic gangs in Southern California and the number 14 represents Hispanic gangs in Northern California. The first letter in the gang name, M , is also the 13th letter in the Alphabet . Members of the rival 18th Street Gang are known to use the Number 18 to identify each other. This number may have its roots in the Pre-Columbian history of Central America .

GANG MARKINGS

MS-13 members have Tattoo s on most of their upper body, including the arms and face, with lettering done in Gothic ( Blackletter ) style. The "MS" and "13" is always tattooed on them. This has resulted in the arrest and detention of many people, first in Honduras then in El Salvador for illicit association based entirely on the fact that they are wearing tattoos. A shaved head with a Goatee Beard is also popular.

THE THREAT THEY POSE

MS-13 is a far more dangerous gang than previous and current rivals due to their large numbers and complex member network. Their members are typically more brazen than other gangs due to the fact if they become wanted in the U.S. their gang can arrange for their transportation across the border and relocate in a 'friendlier' country while additional members are smuggled across the border. MS-13 has now begun to target and has fired upon U.S. border patrol from the Mexican side. {Link without Title}

In El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico they are known to threaten officials who interfere with their business; this typically involves a verbal threat to killing that official or their family. The governments of these countries have been unable to effectively defend themselves against this gang, and in return this gang has been able to gain considerable political power. This strategy of hi-jacking governments is now being used against federal, state, and local governments in the United States. In 2005 Los Angeles was investigating the gang and in retaliation they left a bullet on the lead detectives door. {Link without Title}

DEPORTATION

One of the ways in which MS 13 has grown and spread has been through United States deportation policy. The United States has a policy of deporting non-citizens convicted of felonies to their country of origin. Salvadoran members of MS 13 were and are deported to El Salvador , where they recruited more members. Many guards in Salvadorean prisons are easily corrupted through bribes or are forcefully coerced to release the recently deported MS 13 members.

BUSINESS

MS has business in hustling illegal immigrants over the border (coyotes, in Spanish). Many members in America have been illegally smuggled into the country, and since no jobs or opportunities are available, they join the gang. Many gang leaders go to small towns and beat up young men and boys until they join. MS also does business in narcotics.

RITUALS

A popular MS ritual is paying respects to dead members in El Salvador while consuming marijuana.

FALSE RUMORED TIES WITH AL-QAEDA

Law enforcement throughout the US began to crack down hard on MS-13 after it was rumored that members of the international Islamic Terrorism group Al-Qaeda (القاعدة)nn had been in secret talks with members of MS-13 in Honduras and in Washington DC .

However, after thorough investigation, the FBI has found no evidence that any links between al-Qaeda and MS-13 exist. Due to the serious nature of these rumors, the FBI has made several statements attempting to set the record straight.

SWORN ENEMIES AND OTHER THREATS

One group sworn to eradicate MS is the Sombra Negra ("Black Shadow") Death Squad . Sombra Negra is an unsanctioned Vigilante group made up of police and soldiers in El Salvador. Sombra Negra hunts down and executes all types of criminals, including MS-13 members.

Ernesto "Smokey" Miranda, a co-founder of the MS in Los Angeles , left the gang and is helping children to stay out of gangs. {Link without Title}

In March 2005 , the U.S. Department Of Justice announced a crackdown on MS-13. 103 individuals were arrested in seven cities.

MS-13 members will attack 18th Street gang members on sight. It is the chief rival of the gang in El Salvador.

In August 2005 , U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced that gangs are "a threat to our homeland security and {Link without Title} a very urgent law enforcement priority." Immigration And Customs Enforcement agents arrested 1,057 gang members, 582 of whom are members of MS-13.

In September 2005 , a two-day sting involving more than 6,400 government agents from the United States , Honduras , El Salvador , Guatemala , and Mexico produced the arrests of close to 660 members of MS-13.

Mexican Mafia

US Border Patrol

MS-18 ( Mara Salvatrucha 18 ) a Salvadorian 18th street gang spin off

NOTES

Information About

Ms-13