National Gang Intelligence Center

REGIONAL SUMMARIES

The dynamics of gang activity vary significantly in each of the seven NGIC/GangTECC regions. (See
Figure 1 on page 1.) The following regional summaries, organized alphabetically, provide overviews of the
current gang situation in each region, highlighting major issues of concern to law enforcement.

14

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DELAWARE
Delaware State Police

District oF COLUMBIA
Metropolitan Police Department

FLORIDA
Alachua County Sheriff's Office
Brevard County Sheriff's Office
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Florida Department of Corrections
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Office of the Attorney General

Florida Gang Reduction Strategy

Gadsden County Sheriff's Office
Gainesville Police Department
Hernando County Sheriff's Office
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Lakeland Police Department
Miami-Dade Police Department
Orange County Sheriff's Office
Orlando Police Department
Pasco County Sheriff's Office
Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Sarasota Police Department
Seminole County Sheriff's Office
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
Volusia County Sheriff’s Office

Georcia
Albany Police Department
Athens Police Department
Atlanta Police Department
Columbia Police Department
Macon Police Department
Marietta Police Department

Hawall
Hawaii County Police Department
Hawaii Department of Corrections

TpaHo
Ada County Sheriff's Office
American Falls Police Department
Bannock County Sheriff’s Department

35

Bonneville County Juvenile Detention

Bonneville County Sheriff's Department

Caldwell Police Department

Canyon County Sheriff's Office

Cassia County Sheriff’s Department

Idaho Board of Correction, Evaluation and
Compliance :

Idaho Criminal Justice Commission

Idaho Department of Corrections

Idaho Falls Police Department

Jerome Police Department

Nampa Police Department

Rupert Police Department

‘Twin Falls Sheriff's Department

TLuNoIs
Cook County Sheriff's Office

Towa
Cedar Rapids Police Department
Des Moines Police Department
Sioux City Police Department

Kansas
Dodge City Police Department
Garden City Police Department
Grand Island Police Department
Kansas City Police Department
Salinas Police Department
Topeka Police Department
Wichita Police Department

KENTUCKY
Bowling Green Police Department
Frankfort Police Department
Lexington Police Department
Owensboro Police Department

LOUISIANA
Louisiana State Police
Shreveport Police Department

MAINE

Lewiston Police Department
Portland Police Department



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Sons OF SILENCE

Sons of Silence Motorcycle Club (SOSMC) is one of the largest OMGs in the United States,
with 250 to 275 members among 30 chapters in 12 states. The club also has five chapters in Germany.
SOSMC members have been implicated in numerous criminal activities, including murder, assault, drug
trafficking, intimidation, extortion, prostitution operations, money laundering, weapons trafficking, and
motorcycle and motorcycle parts theft.

31



National Gang Intelligence Center

systems. The most significant regional-level
prison gangs operate in Texas, and most have
ties to at least one Mexican DTO.

Local- or state-level prison gangs, particularly
those operating along the U.S.—Mexico
border, pose a serious concern to local law en-
forcement officials. Some local prison gangs
along the U.S.—Mexico border maintain long-
standing ties to Mexican DTOs. Local prison
gangs typically operate within the department
of corrections in a single state. As members
are released from prison, they often settle in
Jocal communities in which they recruit and
associate with local street gang: members and.
conduct ctiminal activities on behalf of the
prison gang.

Outiaw Motorcycle GANGS

OMG-telated criminal activity poses a threat
to public safety in local communities in which
these gangs operate because of their wide-ranging
criminal activity, propensity to use violence, and
ability to counter law enforcement efforts. OMGs
are highly structured criminal organizations whose
members engage in criminal activities such as vio-
lent crime, weapons trafficking, and drug traffick-
ing. OMGs maintain a strong centralized leader-
ship that implements rules regulating membership,
conduct, and criminal activity. As of June 2008
state and local law enforcement agencies estimate
that between 280 and 520 OMGs are operating
at the national, regional, and local levels. OMGs
range in size from a single chapter to hundreds
of chapters worldwide. Current law enforcement
intelligence estimates indicate that more than
20,000 validated OMG members, divided among
hundreds of OMGs, reside in the United States.

© National-level OMG criminal activity poses
a serious national domestic threat. National-
level OMG are a considerable concern to law
enforcement because they are highly structured
organizations with memberships ranging into
the thousands, maintaining strong associations

with transnational DTOs and other criminal or- ,

ganizations. In addition, national-level OMGs
maintain criminal networks of regional and
local motorcycle clubs, commonly referred to
as “support,” “puppet,” or “duck” clubs, whose
members conduct criminal activities in support

of the larger OMGs, and who are a source for

new members. Some members of support clubs
have acquired employment with private busi-
nesses or government agencies, which enables
them to provide national-level OMGs with
business, government, and financial information
that can be used to protect their criminal enter-
ptises, according to open source and published
law enforcement information.

Regional-level OMGs ate highly structured
organizations that range in size from 50 to
several hundred members. In the United
States 109 regional-level OMGs have been
identified by gang investigators; most sup-
port one of the national-level OMGs. Several
regional-level OMGs maintain-independent
associations with transnational DTOs and
other criminal organizations.

Local-level OMG5 typically operate in a single
state or in a few neighboring states and have
fewer than 50 members. They are often sup-
port clubs for regional- and national-level
OMGs. Local-level OMGs usually have no ties
to DTOs or to other criminal organizations.

‘CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

Gangs are’ responsible for a significant portion
of the crime in many urban communities and in an
increasing number of suburban communities across
the country; much of this crime is associated with
their drug trafficking activities. According to local law
enforcement information, gang members are respon-
sible for as much as 80 percent of the crime in some
locations? Violent disputes over control of drug, terri-
tory and enforcement of drug debts frequently occur
among street gangs in urban areas and, increasingly,
in suburban communities where gangs have expand-
ed their drug distribution operations. Gang mem-
bers also engage in a host of other criminal activities
such as auto theft, assault, alien smuggling, burglary,
drive-by shootings, extortion, firearms offenses, home
invasion robberies, homicide, identity theft, insurance
fraud, mortgage fraud, operating prostitution rings,
and weapons trafficking.

4. The term “support club” refers to smaller gangs whose
members regularly associate with or are friends of one of
the national-level gangs.

5. Stated percentage is based solely on self-reporting by
local law enforcement. The figures given are not meant

to represent an National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC)
analysis.

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National Gang Intelligence Center

NortTHwEsT REGION -

Approximately 2,093 gangs with more than 36,650 members are criminally active in the Northwest
Region, according to 2008 NDTS data and interviews with local law enforcement officials. (See Figure 8.)
Also according to NDTS data, the percentage of state and local law enforcement, agencies in the Northwest
Region that report gang activity in their jurisdictions has increased from 46 percent in 2004 to 58 percent
in 2008. Gang members are responsible for as much as 80 percent of violent crime in some communities
in region, The most significant gangs operating in the Northwest Region are Bloods, Crips (74 Hoover and
Rolling 60s), Gangster Disciples, Nortefios, and Surefios gangs, including Brown Pride, Florencia 13, and
Vartio Locos 13. (See Appendix B.)

Gang-related trends: Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:

+ Hispanic gangs aligned with the California * As gang-related violence escalates, smaller
based La Eme have migrated into the North- gangs likely will merge or align with one an-
west Region. other to survive.

* Conflicts between the relocated California- « Alliances between gangs may result-in the
based Hispanic gangs and local African. expansion of criminal networks and increased
‘American and Hispanic gangs have resulted ctiminal activity in the Northwest Region.

in increased violence.

Figure 8, Northwest Region gang membership by county.

18



National Gang Intelligence Center

MARYLAND
Baltimore Police Department
Frederick Police Department
Hampstead Police Department
Salisbury Police Department

MassACHUSETTS
Chelmsford Police Department
Fall River Police Department
Framingham Police Department
Lowell Police Department
Lynn Police Department
New Bedford Police Department
Springfield Police Department
Worcester Police Department

MICHIGAN
Detroit Police Department
Flint Police Department
Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Saginaw Police Department

Minnesota
Metro Gang Strike Task Force

Missouri
Columbia Police Department
Independence Police Department
Joplin Police Depattment
Kansas City Police Department
Springfield Police Department
St. Louis County Police Department
St. Louis Police Department

Montana
Billings Police Department
Cascade County Department of Corrections
Cascade County Sheriff’s Department
Great Falls Police Department
Missoula Police Department
Montana All Threat Intelligence Center
Montana Department of Corrections
Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility
Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Department

NEBRASKA
Bellevue Police Department

36

Grand Island Police Department
Lincoln Police Department
Omaha Police Department

NEVADA ;
Las Vegas Police Départment
Reno Police Department

New HAMPSHIRE
Manchester Police Department
Nashua Police Department
Rochester Police Department

New JERSEY
Essex County Gang Unit
Jersey City Police Department
Mercer County Prosecutors Office
Newark Police Department
Passaic County Prosecutor's Office
Trenton Police Department
Union County Prosecutor

Intelligence Unit

New Mexico
Albuquerque Police Department
Carlsbad Police Department
Las Cruces Police Department
Santa Fe Police Department

New York
Albany Police Department
Binghamton Police Department
Buffalo Police Department
New York City Police Department
New York State Police
Rochester Police Department
Syracuse Police Department
White Plains Police Department

Nort CaRoLiNa
Durham Police Department
Fayetteville Police Department
Greensboro Police Department

North Carolina Department of Crime Control
and Public Safety

Raleigh Police Department
Winston-Salem Police Department



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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

TABLE OF CONTENTS

National Gang Threat Summary......

Key Findings.
Preface ..-ssecssseceees
Scope and Methodology
Key Questions

Key Assumption:

Gang Proliferation .......

Gang Membership
Gang Types
Street Gangs

Prison Gangs «....sseseesees

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs ..
Criminal Activities
Tllicit Finance...
Gang Communications
Gang Members in the Military
Gang Relationships With DTOs and Other Criminal Organizations
Cross-Border Gang ACtivity .......ssssssssssseccnsresssees
Gang Activity in Indian Country........+.
Female Involvement in Gangs.....
Outlook ....e.-s004
Regional Summaries .
Central Region
East Region

Northwest Region
Pacific REgiOn ....ssssseecrsessseesseees
Southeast Region ......-+sesse

Southwest Region .....ssssssssssecssesrseeeeees



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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

the southwestern United States, particularly in Texas. Gang members reportedly traffic multikilogram quan-
tities of powder cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine; multiton quantities of marijuana; and thousand-
tablet quantities of MDMA from Mexico into the United States for distribution inside and outside prison.
Gang members obtain drugs from associates or members of the Jaime Herrera-Herrera, Osiel Cardenas-
Guillén, and/or Vicente Carrillo-Fuentes Mexican DTOs. In addition, Mexikanemi members maintain

a relationship with Los Zetas, a Mexican paramilitary/criminal organization empléyed by the Cardenas-
Guillén DTO as its personal security force.

Mexican MarFIA

The Mexican Mafia prison gang, also known as La Eme (Spanish for the letter M), was formed in the
late 1950s within the CDC. It is loosely structured and has strict rules that must be followed by the 200
members. Most members are Mexican American males who previously belonged to a southern California
street gang. Mexican Mafia is primarily active in the southwestern and Pacific regions of the United States,
but its power base is in California. The gang’ main source of income is extorting drug distributors outside

- prison and distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana within prison systems and on

the streets, Some members have direct links to Mexican DTOs and broker deals for themselves. and their
associates. Mexican Mafia also is involved in other criminal activities, including controlling gambling and
homosexual prostitution in prison.

NETA

Neta is a prison gang that began in Puerto Rico and spread to the United States. Neta is one of the
largest and most violent prison gangs, with about 7,000 members in Puerto Rico and 5,000 in the United
States. Neta chapters in Puerto Rico exist exclusively inside prisons; once members are released from prison
they are no longer considered part of the gang. In the United States, Neta chapters exist inside and outside

prisons in 36 Cities in nine states, primarily in the Northeast. The gang’s main source of income is retail
distribution of powder and crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana and, to a lesser extent, LSD, MDMA, meth-

amphetamine, and PCP. Neta members commit assault, auto theft, burglary, drive-by shootings, extortion,
home invasion, money laundering, robbery, weapons and explosives trafficking, and witness intimidation.

29



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CENTRAL REGION

More than 5,800 gangs with approximately 222,400 members are criminally active in the Central
Region, according to NDTS 2008 data and interviews with local law enforcement officials. (See Figure 5.)
Also according to NDTS data, the percentage of state and local law enforcement-agencies in the Central
Region that report gang activity in their jurisdictions increased from 45 percent in 2004 to 55 percent in
2008. Gangs are responsible for as much as 50 percent of the crime in some locations, according to local
law enforcement officials. The most significant gangs operating in the Central Region are Chicago-based
Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Vice Lords, and Black P. Stones. (See Appendix B.)

Gang-related trends:

© Gangs, particularly those with younger gang
members, are responsible for an increasing
: percentage of crime in the region.

* Hispanic gangs in the Central Region are
assuming a larger role in wholesale drug
distribution.

Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:

* As West Coast-based Hispanic gangs, particular
ly southern California-based Surefios 13 gangs,
expand their presence in the Central Region,
gang-telated violence associated with drug distri-
bution territories very likely will increase.
Chicago-based gangs will continue to dominate
retail-level drug distribution in most urban
areas of the Central Region.

Chicago-based gangs will expand their presence
in more suburban areas in the Central Region
as a result of gang member migration from
urban to suburban areas.

Chicago-based gangs will develop direct access
to drug sources of supply in Mexico.

Figure 5. Central Region gang membership by county.

6. Gang migration from California to other areas of the country may also be the result of the three strikes | law in California.

15



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SouTHWEST REGION

Approximately 5,297 gangs with nearly 111,000 members are ctiminally active in the Southwest Re-
gion, according to 2008 NDTS data and local law enforcement reporting. (See Figure 11.) Also according
to NDTS data, the percentage of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Southwest Region that re-
port gang activity in heir jurisdictions increased from 52 percent in 2004 to 63 percent in 2008. According
to interviews with local law enforcement officers, gangs ate responsible for as much as 60 percent of crime
in some communities in the Southwest Region. The most significant gangs operating in the region are Bar-

rio Azteca, Latin Kings, Mexikanemi, Tango Blast, and Texas Syndicate. (See Appendices B and C.)

Gang-related trends:
© Gangs are increasingly conducting, cross-bor-
der criminal activities such as the trafficking
of illegal aliens and drugs from Mexico into
the United States.

* Many gangs have established sets in Mexico
and maintain associations with local DTOs
and Mexican DTO representatives.

‘A number of gangs in the Southwest Region
are smuggling firearms from the United
States into Mexico as payment for drugs or
to sell for a significant profit.

Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:

* Prison and street gangs in the Southwest Re-
gion will continue to develop and strengthen
their ties to Mexican DTOs. Mexican DTOs
may allow gangs to assume a larger role in
wholesale drug smuggling across the U.S.—
Mexico border and in wholesale distribution
within the Southwest Region. Doing so would
reduce the risks that Mexican DTOs face from
U.S. law enforcement.

Figure 11. Southwest Region gang membership by county.

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New ENGLAND REGION

Approximately 640 gangs with more than 17,250 members are criminally active in the New England Region,
according to 2008 NDTS data and local law enforcement reporting, (See Figure 7.) Also according to NDTS data,
the percentage of state and local law enforcement agencies in the New England Region that report gang activity in
their jurisdictions increased from 28 percent in 2004 to 39 percent in 2008. Gangs are responsible for as much as
60 percent of the crime in some communities. The most significant gangs operating in the New England Region
are Hells Angels, Latin Kings, Outlaws, Tiny Rascal Gangster Crips, and UBN. (See Appendices B and D.)

Gang-related trends: Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:

* Thinitarios are an emerging gang in the region. * Criminal activiry related to street gangs likely

© Surefios 13 gang activity is increasing. will increase throughout the New England

* Gang-related violence is increasing as a result Region. Armed robberies, carjackings, drug
of competition among gangs for control of trafficking, extortions, and home invasions
territories. are likely to increase because of the influx of

* African American, Asian, and Hispanic gang Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings, and ‘TFrinitarios
members often use violence to gain control over members from neighboring regions.

the retail-level and midlevel distribution of co-
caine, heroin, and marijuana in many locations,
according to local and federal law enforcement
information. For example, violence between
Bloods and Crips members recently has escalated
asa direct result of a conflict between the gangs
for control of retail-level drug distribution.

The number of gangs associating with DTOs
is growing.

Figure 7. New England Region gang membership by county.
17



National Gang Intelligence Center

Appenpix D. Ouriaw Motorcycle GANGS

BanbDIDOS

Bandidos Motorcycle Club, an OMG with 2,000 to 2,500 members in thé United States and 13 other
countries, is a growing criminal threat to the nation. Law enforcement authorities estimate that Bandidos
is one of the two largest OMGs in the United States, with approximately 900 members belonging to more
than 88 chapters in 16 states. Bandidos is involved in transporting and distributing cocaine and marijuana
and producing, transporting, and distributing methamphetamine. Bandidos is most active in the Pacific,
southeastern, southwestern, and west central regions and is expanding in these regions by forming new
chapters and allowing members of support clubs to form or join Bandidos chapters. The members of sup-
port clubs are known as “puppet” or “duck” club members. They do the dirty work of the mother club.

HELis ANGELS

Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) is an OMG with 2,000 to 2,500 members belonging to: more
than 250 chapters in the United States and 26 foreign countries. HAMC poses a criminal threat on six
continents. U.S. law enforcement authorities estimate that HAMC has more than 69 chapters in 22 states
with 900 to 950 members. HAMC produces, transports, and distributes marijuana and methamphetamine
and transports and distributes cocaine, hashish, heroin, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), MDMA, PCP,
and diverted pharmaceuticals. HAMC is involved in other criminal activity, including assault, extortion,
homicide, money laundering, and motorcycle theft.

MoncoLs

Mongols Motorcycle Club is an extremely violent OMG that poses a serious criminal threat to the
Pacific and southwestern regions of the United States. Mongols members transport and distribute cocaine,
marijuana, and methamphetamine and frequently commit violent crimes, including assault, intimidation,
and murder, to defend Mongols territory and uphold its reputation. Mongols has 70 chapters nationwide,
with most of the club’s 800, to 850 members residing in California. Many members are former street gang
members with a long history of using violence to settle grievances. Agents with the ATF have called Mon-
gols Motorcycle Club the most violent and dangerous OMG in the nation. In the 1980s, the Mongols
OMG seized control of southern California from HAMG, and today Mongols club is allied with Bandidos,
Outlaws, Sons of Silence, and Pagan’s OMGs against HAMC. The Mongols club also maintains ties to
Hispanic street gangs in Los Angeles.

OuTLAWS

Outlaws Motorcycle Club has more than 1,700 members belonging to 176 chapters in the United
States and 12 foreign countries. U.S. law enforcement authorities estimate that Outlaws has more than 94
chapters in 22 states with more than 700 members. Outlaws also identifies itself as the American Outlaws
Association (A.O.A.) and Outlaws Nation. Outlaws is the dominant OMG in the Great Lakes region.
Gang members produce, transport, and distribute methamphetamine and transport and distribute cocaine,
marijuana and, to a lesser extent, MDMA. Outlaws members engage in various criminal activities, includ-
ing arson, assault, explosives operations, extortion, fraud, homicide, intimidation, kidnapping, money

laundering, prostitution operations, robbery, theft, and weapons violations. It competes with HAMC for
membership and territory.

30



National Gang Intelligence Center

© Street and prison gang members have estab-
lished networks that work closely with Mexi-
can DTOs in trafficking cocaine and mari-
juana from Mexico into the United States for
distribution.

* Some Mexican DTOs contract with gangs in

* ‘the Southwest Region to smuggle weapons
from the United States to Mexico, according
to open source information. .

°

Street gang and OMG members are trafficking
cocaine and firearms from the United States

to Canada and marijuana and MDMA from
Canada to the United States; this is a growing
concern to U.S. and Canadian law enforce-
ment officials, particularly as Canadian law
enforcement officials report that street gang-
related gun crimes in Canada are often com-
mitted using firearms that are illegally smug-
gled into the country from the United States.

Gano Activity IN INDIAN
CouNTRY

Most street gangs active on reservations are lo--
cal gangs, typically composed of Native American
youth. Many of these local gangs have little or no
direct ties to national-level street gangs; however,
several Native American gangs, specifically Native

_ Mob, have expanded beyond Indian Country on
and off the reservations. Native Mob is one of the
largest and most violent Native American street
gangs operating in the United States. Native Mob
ig most active in Minnesota, Michigan, Wiscon-
sin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The main
source of income for the gang is the retail-level dis-
tribution of illicit drugs, primarily marijuana and.
methamphetamine. Gang members also commit
other crimes such as auto theft, assault, carjack-
ing, drive-by shootings, extortion, homicide, and
robbery.

Some urban and suburban gangs are expand-
ing their drug operations onto Native American
reservations. These gangs pose a significant threat
to Indian Country because of their drug distribu-
tion activities and violent tendencies as well as the
disruptive effect that they have on Native Ameri-
can communities. Gang members occasionally are
employed by or work in conjunction with Mexican

12

DTOs and criminal groups to distribute illicic
drugs within Native American communities.

FEMALE INVOLVEMENT
IN GANGS

Female involvement in gangs continues to
increase and evolve as females assume greater
responsibility in gang activities and grow more in-
dependent from their male counterparts. Though
gangs are still primarily male-dominated, research
indicates that female gang membership is on the
rise. In 2006 the National Youth Gang Center
stated that “youth garig membership-among girls
has been more widely reported by law enforce-
ment than in the past.” In May 2008 the Office
of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(OJJDP) found that in high-risk, high-crime
neighborhoods, 29.4 percent of girls and 32.4
percent of boys claimed gang membership when
felf-definition was used as a measure. The major-
ity of respondents to a 2007 Florida-based study
reported that female gang members accounted for
less than 15 percent of gang members. However,
a small portion of respondents placed female gang
membership as high as 26 to 50 percent. In con-
currence with each of the above studies, the Na-
tional Council on Crime and Delinquency ranked
“young females as the fastest growing offenders in
the national juvenile justice population.”

Although female gang membership in male- t
dominated gangs is increasing, the prevalence of
predominantly female gangs continues to be a rare
phenomenon. In addition, although all-female
gangs do exist, they are infrequently the focus
of law enforcement. Traditionally, female gangs
have received less attention from researchers and
law enforcement, and most efforts have focused
on intervention programs designed to provide an
alternative refuge for girls attempting to escape
‘abusive environments. Furthermore, law enforce-
ment officials are less likely to recognize or stop
female gang members, and they have experienced
difficulty in identifying female involvement in
gang-related activity.



National Gang Intelligence Center

KEY ASSUMPTIONS expanded into neighboring communities during

the 1970s, continued their expansion in the 1980s,
and launched into full-scale migration during the
1990s. Many notable gangs, such as Chicago-based
Gangster Disciples, Black P. Stones, and Latin
Kings, initially formed as organizations for politi-
cal and social reform during the 1960s. However,
federal jurisdictions, although legislation in by the early 1970s the focus of a number of these
. various jurisdictions may define the term ina gangs shifted from reform to criminal activity for

slightly different manner. profit. At this time gang activity was primarily con-
fined to large cities.

Analysts made the following assumptions in
the production of this assessment:

* The term “gang,” for analytical purposes,
has the same meaning across local, state, and

* ‘The number of gang members in a particu-
lar jurisdiction was estimated at the mean Throughout the 1970s gangs became better

of the range reported by that jurisdiction in organized and continued to expand their activities

response to the 2008 NDIC NDTS. ” into iieighboring communities. The movement of
gang members to suburban areas resulted in some

territorial conflicts between rival gang members
G ANG PROLIFERATION competing for the new territory, in addition to
territorial conflicts with the few existing suburban
gang members. The gang members who migrated
from urban areas often formed new, neighborhood-
based local gangs. These local gangs generally
controlled their territories through violence and
intimidation. In addition, they sought to increase
their size by recruiting new members, who were

Gang migration from urban communities to
suburban and rural locations, which began more
than two decades ago, is a significant and growing
problem in most areas of the country. Gangs are
now fully entrenched in many communities across
the nation. Most gangs formed in major cities and

Figure 2. Percentage of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting Gang Activity, by Region.
Source: National Drug Threat Survey 2004-2008.



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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

chapters, former Texas inmates established new chapters in El Paso, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the
Rio Grande Valley. In June 2008 the Houston Police Department (HPD) estimated that more than 14,000
‘Tango Blast members were incarcerated in Texas. Tango Blast is difficule to monitor. The gang does not con-
form to either traditional prison/street gang hierarchical organization or gang rules.,Tango Blast is laterally
organized, and leaders are elected sporadically to represent the gang in prisons and’‘to lead street gang cells.
The significance of Tango Blast is exemplified by corrections officials reporting that rival traditional prison
gangs are now forming alliances to defend themselves against Tango Blast’s growing power.

Tiny RascaL GancsTers (NATIONAL)

Tiny Rascal Gangsters is one of the largest and most violent Asian street gang’associations in the United
States, It is composed of at least 60 structured and unstructured gangs, commonly referred to as sets, with
an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 members and associates who have adopted a common gang culture. Most
members are Asian American males. The sets are most active in the southwestern, Pacific, and New Eng-
land regions of the United States. The street-level distribution of powder cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, and
methamphetamine is a primary source of income for the sets. Members also are involved in other criminal
activity, including assault, drive-by shootings, extortion, home invasion, homicide, robbery, and theft.

Unrrep BLoop Nation (REGIONAL)

Bloods is a universal term that is used to identify both West Coast Bloods and United Blood Nation
(UBN). While these groups are traditionally distinct entities, both identify themselves by “Blood,” often
making it hard for law enforcement to distinguish between them. United Blood Nation (UBN) started
in 1993 in Rikers Island GMDC (George Mochen Detention Center) to form protection from the threat
posed by Latin Kings and Netas, who dominated the prison. United Blood Nation (UBN) is a loose confed-
eration of street gangs, or sets, that once were predominantly African American. Membership is estimated
to be between 7,000 and 15,000 along the U.S. eastern corridor. UBN derives its income from street-level
distribution of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana; robbery; auto theft; and smuggling drugs to prison inmates.
UBN members also engage in arson, carjacking, credit card fraud, extortion, homicide, identity theft, in-
timidation, prostitution operations, and weapons distribution.

Vice Lorp Nation (NATIONAL)

|
Vice Lord Nation, based in Chicago, is a collection of structured gangs located in 74 cities in 28 states, |
primarily in the Great Lakes region. Led by a national board, the various gangs have an estimated 30,000 to 4
35,000 members, most of whom are African American males. The main source of income is street-level dis-
tribution of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Members also engage in other criminal activity such as assault,
burglary, homicide, identity theft, and money laundering.

27



rd

Map 2. Gang members per law enforcement officer, by state.

Source: National Drug Theat Survey 2008; ld program speciaist surveys of state and local aw enforcement 2008; and Bureau of Justice Statics census of tate and local aw enforcement 2004,

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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

PREFACE .

This intelligence assessment is a collaborative effort between the National Gang Intelligence Center
(NGIC) and the NDIC to examine the threat posed to the United States by criminal gangs; it supports U.S.
Department of Justice strategic objectives 2.2 (to reduce the threat, incidence, and prevalence of violent
crime) and 2.4 (to reduce the threat, trafficking, use, and related violence of illegal drugs). The assessment is
based on federal, state, and local law enforcement information and is supplemented by information retrieved
from open sources. Information and data used for this report were collected through September 2008.

This assessment discusses the proliferation ‘of gangs from urban areas to suburban and rural locations,
estimates of the number of gangs and gang members in the United States, gang types, gang-related criminal
activities, locations where specific gangs operate, and the relationships between gangs and other criminal
organizations. Regional summaries highlighting the most significant gang-related trends are also provided.
‘The assessment also identifies intelligence gaps and provides predictive estimates regarding significant gang-
related issues.

Figure 1. National Gang Intelligence Center/National Gang Targeting, Enforcement & Coordination Center Regions.



|

National Gang Intelligence Center

Appendix A. Maps

Appendix B. Street Gangss...eesecrseeree
Appendix C. Prison Gangs.

Appendix D. Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs ......

Appendix E. Sources:

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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

OUTLOOK

Most regions in the United States will expe-
rience increased gang membership, continued
migration of gangs to suburban and rural areas,
and increased gang-related criminal activity. These
increases are largely the result of the continued
expansion of gang-operated criminal networks.
Better-organized urban gangs will continue to
expand their criminal networks into new market
areas in suburban and rural locations, where they
can absorb unaffiliated local gangs or use,violence
to intimidate them.

Gang-related violence is very likely to remain
ac high levels or increase as gangs expand their
criminal operations into suburban and rural com-
munities. As these gangs encounter resistance from
local gangs or other drug distributors in these
communities, an increase in violent incidents such
as assaults, drive-by shootings, and homicides can
be expected.

Neighborhood-based gangs account for the
majority of gangs active in the United States;
however, national gangs commit more organized
criminal activity and continue to expand their net-
works. Neighborhood-based gangs will continue to
consume the resources of local law enforcement in
communities that report high levels of gang-related
criminal activity, but migration of national gangs
into new areas will pose an increasing threat to
such communities.

As gangs continue to expand and evolve from
local- or regional-level gangs to sophisticated
national-level gangs, most will continue to foster
relationships with wholesale-level drug traffickers
in Mexico and/or Canada. Such relationships are
more likely for Hispanic gangs operating along the
U.S.-Mexico border; these gang members often
have personal and family ties to DTO members in
Mexico,

13



Product No. 2009-M0335-001

SCOPE AND
METHODOLOGY

The principal sources of information used in
this assessment include:

* 3,052 state and local law enforcement agency
responses to the 2008 NDIC NDTS.

+ Information from other federal, state, and lo-
cal law enforcement agencies.

* Gang-related federal criminal investigative -
information.

One of the greatest impediments to the collec-
tion of accurate gang-related data is the lack of a
national uniform definition of a gang used by all
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
For the purpose of this assessment, the National
Alliance of Gang Investigators’ Associations (NAG-
IA) definition! is used: A gang is a group or asso-
ciation of three or more persons with a common
identifying sign, symbol, or name who individu-
ally or collectively engage in criminal activity that
creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Another obstacle to the collection of gang-related
data is the denial of a gang presence by local of
ficials in some jurisdictions despite indicators to
the contrary.

Gangs also are defined by the geographic areas
in which they operate. Local gangs, also called
neighborhood-based gangs and neighborhood drug
crews, operate in single locations. Local gangs usu-
ally have no direct ties to DTOs or other criminal
organizations, Regional gangs operate in multiple
locations within a region; these gangs commu-
nicate and associate with gang members in other
locations to varying degrees. Regional gangs typi-
cally are organized more formally and have more
members than local gangs; some have members in
foreign countries. Members of regional gangs may

1. For this report, the National Alliance of Gang Investiga-
tors’ Association (NAGIA) definition of “gang” is used as It
is commonly accepted by gang investigator associations
throughout the country. However, many states have leg-
islatively enacted definitions of gangs that most local and
state law enforcement agencies are required to follow.

maintain ties to DTOs and other criminal orga~
nizations operating in the United States. National
gangs typically have several hundred to several
thousand members nationwide who operate in
multiple regions; they may have cells in foreign
countries with members who ‘assist the U.S.-based
gangs in further developing associations with
DTOs and other criminal organizations in those
countries. The organizational structures of national
gangs vary from loosely linked networks of cells to
formal hierarchies.

The collection of gang-related data for this as-
sessment was greatly strengthened by the relatively
large number of NDTS responses (3,052). Prepa-
ration of this assessment also was aided by better
reporting as a result of, in part, the success of DOJ
Office Justice Programs (OJP)/Bureau of Justice
Assistance (BJA) grants and training; FBI, ATE, and
DEA enforcement; NDIC, NGIC, and El Paso In-
telligence Center (EPIC) intelligence and reporting;
and GangTECC targeting and coordination.

The sources of information used for this as-
sessment are listed in Appendix E. Numerous state
and local law enforcement agencies throughout
the United States provided valuable input to this
report through their participation in the National
Drug Threat Survey and interviews with NDIC
Field Program Specialists. These agencies were too
numerous to thank individually.

Key QUESTIONS

‘Analysts used these key questions to frame the
discussions in this assessment:

+ Whar threat do gangs pose at the national and
regional levels?

* How many gangs and gang members are in
existence, and where are they located?

* Which gangs pose the greatest threat?

* Which gangs have ties to drug trafficking and .
transnational organizations?

* What types of criminal activity do gang mem-
bers engage in?



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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

PaciFic REGION

Approximately 6,900 gangs with more than 237,000 members are criminally active in the Pacific
Region, according to 2008 NDTS data and interviews with local law enforcement officials. (See Figure 9.)
Also according to NDTS data, the percentage of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Pacific
Region that report gang activity in their jurisdictions increased from 66 percent in 2004 to 74 percent in
2008. As much as 80 percent of crime in some jurisdictions is gang-related, according to law enforcement
reporting. The most significant gangs operating in the Pacific Region are 18th Street, Bloods, Crips, La
Eme, Nuestra Familia, and Hells Angels. (See Appendices B and D.)

Gang-related trends: Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:
© MS 13 poses a significant threat to local * Hispanic gangs, specifically 18ch Street, La
law enforcement. The gang is involved in Eme, Nuestra Familia, and MS 13, will con-
criminal activities including drug trafficking, tinue to fight for control of retail-level drug
extortion, and firearms violations. - distribution in locations throughout the Pacific
Region. .

Gang-related criminal activity in the Pacific
Region is significant and likely will remain
significant as gang members continue to fight
for control of territories.

Gang-related extortion and firearms violations
likely will increase.

Figure 9. Pacific Region gang membership by county.

19



"NATIONAL GANG®"2.
: THREAT ASSESSMENT



National Gang Intelligence Center

of the migration of gang members from urban ar-
eas such as New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois;
and Los Angeles, California, to smaller jurisdic-
tions in these regions. In Chicago, gang movement
to suburban areas can be attributed to several fac-
tors: the breakdown of traditional hierarchical gang
structures resulting from law enforcement targeting
of gang leaders, the razing of some large Chicago
public housing projects, an abundance of wholesale
illicit drug suppliers, and the expectation of high
profits from new suburban drug operations.

Gang migration from urban areas has led to
the recruitment of new, younger gang members
jn many suburban-and- rural-communities. Ac- _
cording to the most recent biennial School Crime
Supplement to the Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS) National Crime Victimization Survey,’ the
percentage of suburban students ages 12-18 who
reported that gangs were present at school during
the previous 6 months increased 17 percent from
2003 to 2005 after remaining stable from 2001 to
2003, and the percentage of rural students report-
ing likewise increased 33 percent from 2003 to
2005 after decreasing (8%) from 2001 to 2003. In
comparison, percentages of both total students and
urban students reporting gangs present at school,
increased steadily from 2001 to 2005 (20% and
24%, respectively). (See Figure 3 on page 5.) Gang
activity at schools is rising, in part, because gangs
are using middle schools and high schools as venues
for recruitment and drug distribution. Law enforce-
ment agencies in several jurisdictions in eastern
states report that gangs are directing teenage mem-
bers who had dropped out of school to reenroll,
primarily to recruit new-members anid sell drugs.

Ganc MEMBERSHIP

Gang membership in the United States was
conservatively estimated at 1 million members as
of September 2008, based on analysis of federal,
state, and local law enforcement reporting—an
increase from an estimated 800,000 members in

2. in 2008, the unit response rate for this survey did not
meet the National Center for Education Statistics statistical
standards; therefore, Interpret the data with caution. Data
for 2005 is for the 2005-2006 school year. The biennial
data for 2007 Is for the 2007-2008 school year and has not
been released. For more information on 2005, see Indica-
tors of School Crime and Safety: 2007, Appendix A, avail-
able at http://Awww.o)p.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdtfisos07.pat.

2005, Current estimates include approximately
900,000 gang members residing within local
communities across the country and more than
147,000 documented gang members incarcerated
in federal, state, and local correctional facilities,
according to state and federal corrections data. In-
creased gang membership is most likely the result
of gang recruitment efforts and the release of incar-
cerated gang members; however, more comprehen-
sive law enforcement reporting and improved gang
awareness may also-have contributed to an increase
in the number of gang members identified by some
law enforcement agencies.

Regionally, gang membership varies signifi-
cantly. States'in the ‘Pacific, Southwest, and Central
Regions rank highest in the percentage of the pop-
ulation identified as gang members. (See Appendix
A, Map 1.) In addition, these same regions have
the highest ratio of gang members per law enforce-
ment officer. (See Appendix A, Map 2.)

GancG TYPES

Gangs vary extensively regarding membership,
structure, age, and ethnicity. However, three basic
types of gangs have been identified by gang in-
vestigators: street gangs, prison gangs, and outlaw
motorcycle gangs (OMGps).

STREET GANGS

Street gangs that operate throughout most of
the country are a significant threat because they
are the largest and control the greatest geographi-
cal area. Therefore, criminal activities such as
violence and drug trafficking perpetrated by street
gangs pose the greatest threat. The threat becomes
magnified as national- and regional-level street
gangs migrate from urban areas to suburban and
tural communities, expanding their influence
in most regions and broadening their presence
outside the United States to develop associations
with DTOs and other criminal organizations in
Mexico, Central America, and Canada.

* Currently, 11 national-level street gangs have
been identified in the United States, and
associates or members have been identified
in foreign countries, according to analysis
of federal, state, and local law enforcement



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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

typically from single-parent, low-income house-
holds, and who had a limited education. Local
gangs engaged in a wide range of criminal activity,
including retail-level drug distribution.

During the 1980s, gangs that engaged in drug
trafficking in major cities began to expand their
drug distribution networks into suburban com-
munities influenced by local gangs. The larger
gangs controlled drug distribution in city drug
markets; they were motivated to move into adjoin-
ing communities to generate additional income
by capitalizing on burgeoning powder cocaine and
crack cocaine abuse. Large urban gangs generated
millions of dollars from trafficking illicit drugs in
urban and suburban areas; this income enabled the
gangs to recruit new members and to force smaller
local gangs to either disband or align with them,
thereby increasing their dominance. To enhance
profits from drug trafficking and other crimes, large
urban gangs also deployed members to locate new
drug markets throughout the country, including in
suburban and rural communities. As various gangs
attempted to expand nationally, they often were
met with initial resistance by local gangs. This resis-
tance resulted in an increased number of homicides
and drive-by shootings in suburban communities.

Gangs became entrenched in communities
throughout the nation, and gang-related violence
and drug trafficking became fully ingrained in sub-
urban areas throughout the 1990s. Because of

the significant levels of violence attendant to gang-
related criminal activity, federal, state, and local law
enforcement officials devoted significant resources
to fighting gun crime and disrupting the most vio-
lent gangs. This crackdown on violent gang activity
targeted key gang leaders in an effort to dismantle
highly structured gangs. In conjunction with this
crackdown, federal law enforcement officials began
to target violent gang members from Mexico and
Central America, most of whom were in the United
States illegally. Moreover, a large number of gang
members in prison formed associations along eth-
nic lines during this time in an attempt to protect
their operations, giving rise to large, influential
prison gangs. As these gang members were released
from prison; they maintained contact with gang
leaders in prison and used their influence to control
street gangs in urban and suburban areas.

Gang migration from larger cities to subur-
ban and rural areas is an ongoing concern for law
enforcement. According to analysis of NDTS 2008
data, the percentage of law enforcement agencies
in the United States reporting gang activity in their
jurisdictions increased from 45 percent in 2004
to 58 percent in 2008. (See Figure 2 on page 4.)
Moreover, the percentage of jurisdictions report-
ing gang activity during this time frame increased
in each of the seven NGIC/GangIECC regions;
however, the most significant increases were in the
East and Southeast Regions, most likely the result

Figure 3, Percentage of Students Reporting Gang Activity at Sctiools.

40

36 pik
35 m2001 |.
30 m2003 |_

m2005

25
20
15
10

Total

Urban

‘Source: National Crime Victimization Surve}

Suburban Rural

y. :
Note: indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2007 Is a Joint annual report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Education

Statistics. The Schoo! Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey | is blennial,



National Gang Intelligence Center

Loudon City Police Department
Richmond Police Department
Virginia State Police

WASHINGTON
Clark County Gang Task Force
King County Sheriff's Office
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office
Seattle Police Department

Skamania County Gang Task Force
Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

Spokane Police Department
Tacoma Police Department

‘Washington Department of Corrections

West VIRGINIA
Charleston Police Department
Morgantown Police Department
Wheeling Police Department

Wisconsin
Brown County Diug Task Force
Cudahy Police Department
Dane County Sheriff's Office
Dodge County Sheriff's Office
Eau Claire Police Department
Greendale Police Department
Hales Corner Police Department
Janesville Police Department
Jefferson County Drug Task Force
Kenosha Police Department
Madison Police Department
Milwaukee Police Department
Rock County Sheriff's Office
Sheboygan Police Department

WyoMInG
Casper Police Department
Cheyenne Police Department
Rawlins Police Department

38

OTHER
Canada Border Services Agency
Criminal Intelligence Services Canada
International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang
Investigators Associdtion

National Alliance of Gang Investigators’ Associations
National Center for Educational Statistics



National Gang Intelligence Center

Latin DiscipLes (REGIONAL)

Latin Disciples, also known as Maniac Latin Disciples and Young Latino Organization, originated in
Chicago in the late 1960s. The gang is composed of at least 10 stuctured and unstructured factions with
an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 members and associate members. Most members are Puerto Rican males. Ma-
niac 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 powder 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 shootings, home invasion, homicide,
money laundering, and weapons trafficking.

Mara Satvarrucua (NATIONAL)

Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS 13, is one of the largest Hispanic street gangs in the United States.
‘Traditionally, the gang consisted of loosely affiliated groups known as cliques; however, law enforcement
officials have reported increased coordination. of criminal activity among Mara Salvatrucha cliques in the
Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York metropolitan areas. The gang is estimated
to have 30,000 to 50,000 members and associate members worldwide, 8,000 to 10,000 of whom reside in
the United States. Members smuggle illicit drugs, primarily powder cocaine and marijuana, into the United
States and transport and distribute the drugs throughout the country. Some members also are involved in
alien smuggling, assault, drive-by shootings, homicide, identity theft, prostitution operations, robbery, and
weapons trafficking.

SureNios AND Nortenos (NATIONAL)

As individual Hispanic street gang members enter prison systems, they put aside former rivalries with
other Hispanic street gangs and unite ‘under the name Surefios or Nortefios. The original Mexican Mafia
members, most of whom were from southern California, considered Mexicans from the rural, agricultural
areas of northern California weak and viewed them with contempt. To distinguish themselves from the
agricultural workers or farmers from northern California, members of Mexican Matfia began to refer to the
Hispanic gang members who worked for them as Surefios (Southerners). Inmates from northern California
became known as Nortefios (Northerners) and are affiliated with Nuestra Familia. Because of its size and
strength, Fresno Bulldogs is the only Hispanic gang in the California Department of Corrections (CDC)
that does not fall under Surefios or Nortefios but remains independent. Surefios gang members’ main
sources of income are retail-level distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine within
prison systems and in the community as well as extortion of drug distributors on the streets. Some members
have direct links to Mexican DTOs and broker deals for Mexican Mafia as well as their own gang. Surefios
gangs also are involved in other criminal activities such as assault, carjacking, home invasion, homicide,
and robbery. Nortefios gang members’ main sources of income are the retail-level distribution of cocaine,
heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and PCP within prison systems and in the community as well as ex-
tortion of drug distributors on the streets. Nortefios gangs also are involved in other criminal activities such
as assault, carjacking, home invasion, homicide, and robbery.

Tanco Brast (REGIONAL)

Tango Blast is one of largest prison/street criminal gangs operating in Texas. Tango Blast’s criminal
activities include drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder. In the late 1990s,
Hispanic men incarcerated in federal, state, ‘and local prisons founded Tango Blast for personal protection
against violence from traditional prison gangs such as the Aryan Brotherhood, Texas Syndicate, and Texas
Mexican Mafia. Tango Blast originally had four city-based chapters: Houstone, Houston, Texas; ATX or
La Capricha, Austin, Texas; D-Town, Dallas, Texas; and Foros or Foritos, Fort Worth, Texas. These found-
ing four chapters are collectively known as Puro Tango Blast or the Four Horsemen. From the original four

26



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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

Buoops (NATIONAL)

Bloods is an association of structured and unstructured gangs that have adopted a single-gang culture.
‘The original Bloods were formed in the early 1970s to provide protection from the Crips street gang in Los
Angeles, California. Large, national-level Bloods gangs include Bounty Hunter Bloods and Crenshaw Mafia
Gangsters. Bloods membership is estimated to be 7,000 to 30,000 nationwide; most members are African
American males. Bloods gangs are active in 123 cities in 33 states. The main source of income for Bloods
gangs is street-level distribution of cocaine and marijuana. Bloods members also are involved in transport-
ing and distributing methamphetamine, heroin, and PCP (phencyclidine), bur to a much lesser extent. The
gangs also are involved in other criminal activity including assault, auto theft, burglary, carjacking, drive-by
shootings, extortion, homicide, identicy fraud, and robbery.

Crips (NATIONAL)

Crips is a collection of structured and unstructured gangs that have adopted a common gang culture.
Crips membership is estimated at 30000 to-35,000; most members are African American males from the
Los Angeles metropolitan area. Large, national-level Crips gangs include 107 Hoover Crips, Insane Gang-
ster Crips, and Rolling 60s Crips. Crips gangs operate in 221 cities in 41 states. The main source of income
for Crips gangs is the street-level distribution of powder cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and PCP. The
gangs also are involved in other criminal activity such as assault, auto theft, burglary, and homicide.

FLoRENCIA 13 (REGIONAL)

Florencia 13 (F 13 or FX 13) originated in Los Angeles in the early 1960s; gang membership is estimat-
ed at 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 Surefios (Sur 13) affiliation. A primary source of income for gang members is the trafficking of
cocaine and methamphetamine. Gang members smuggle multikilogram quantities of powder cocaine and
methamphetamine obtained from supply sources in Mexico into the United States for distribution. Also,
gang members produce large quantities of methamphetamine in southern California for local distribu-
tion. Florencia members are involved in other criminal activities, including assault, drive-by shootings, and

omicide. :

FrEsNo BuLLDOGS (REGIONAL)

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 Surefios (Southern) nor Nortefios
(Northern) affiliation. However, gang members associate with Nuestra Familia (NF) members, particu-
larly 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 criminal activity,
including assault, burglary, homicide, and robbery.

GancstTeER Discretes (NATIONAL)

__ The Gangster Disciples street gang was formed in Chicago, Illinois, in the mid-1960s. Ir is structured
like a corporation and is led by a chairman of the board. Gang membership is estimated at 25,000 to
50,000; most members are African American males from the Chicago metropolitan area. The gang is active

. jn 110 cities in 31 states. Its main source of income is the street-level distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine,

marijuana, and heroin. The gang also is involved in other criminal activity, including assault, auto theft,
firearms violations, fraud, homicide, the operation of prostitution rings, and money laundering.

v7) ,



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i and:supported by. a numb 1 of party

’ Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Drug Enforcerient ‘Administration (DEA), Federal ©
: Bureau.of Investigation (FBI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), NDIC, and United States Mar-
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! The NGIC is a roultiagency effort that'integrates the gang intelligence‘assets'of federal, state, an
enforcement entities to serve as @ ‘centralized intelligence resource for gang information and‘analytical sup- |
port. The mission of the NGIC is to support law enforcement agencies through timely and accurate informa- “|
tion sharing and Strategic/tactical analysis of federal, state, and local law enforcement intelligence focusing: :
‘on the growth; migration, criminal activity, and dssociatiori of gangs that pose a significant threat to com-.: . |
munities throughout the. United States. The NGIC concentrates on gangs.operating ona national level that’!
: demonstrate criminal connectivity between sets and common identifiers. and goals. Because many. violent
| gangs donot operate on.a national level, the NGIC also focuses on regidnal-level gangs: NGIC. is staffed.
NF r ing agencies, including the Bureau.of Alcohol, To
and Explosives (ATF), Bureau of Prisons (BOP); Department of Justice (DOJ); Depart jel

and other nonstandard i talligencé products for-custome

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| National Gang Intelligence Center

East REGION

More than 2,900 gangs with approximately 73,650 members are criminally active in the East Region, ac-
cording to NDTS 2008 data and interviews with local law enforcement officials. (See Figure 6.) Also according
to NDTS data, the percentage of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Edst Region that reported gang
activity in their jurisdictions ‘increased from 37 percent in 2004 to 57 percent in 2008. The most significant gangs
operating in the East Region are Crips, Latin Kings, MS 13, Neta, and UBN.’ (See Appendix B.)

Gang-related trends:

* UBN is proliferating and expanding its
influence over previously unaffiliated local
gangs. .

Trinitarios*, a Dominican street gang, is

increasing its presence in the-region.

+ Over the past few years, MS 13 has posed
a significant concern to law enforcement
in the region, particularly in Maryland and
Virginia. However, recent law enforcement
actions against MS 13 members may have
disrupted some of the gang's operations.

© Gang-related violence has increased in
many larger cities in the region.

Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:

© National-level gangs, specifically Bloods gangs,
and regional-level street gangs increasingly will
attempt to influence and control local gangs,
resulting in an.escalation of gang-related vio-
lence in the East Region.

© Gangs in the East Region very likely will
continue to expand their operations From
urban communities into suburban and rural
locations throughout the region and into
the Southeast, New England, and Central
Regions.

Figure 6. East Region gang membership by county.

7. United Blood Nation (U BN) is a loose confederation of street gangs that formed in the Rikers Island Jail in New York City
in 1993 and spread throughout the East Coast of the United States. It is one of the largest street gangs that follow the Bloods

gang culture.

8. Trinitarios (meaning the Trinity or Special One) street gang

York prisons during the early 4990s. Upon leaving prison, members banded together as a street gang, calling themselves

was formed as a protection gang for Dominican inmates in New

‘Trinitarians/Trinitarios to separate the gang from other Dominican street gangs in New York. ‘Trinitarios members are establish-

ing a reputation for extreme violence throughout the area.



Product No. 2009-M0335-001

APPENDIX E. SOURCES

The sources of information used for this assessment are listed below. Numerous state and local law enforce-
ment agencies throughout the United States provided valuable input to this report through their participation
in the National Drug Threat Survey and interviews with NDIC Field Program Specialists. These agencies were

FD OOO OOOH OHGVHOVDIOVOOL OL OOOOL OE OCEEEOCOOOOUE

too numerous to thank individually.

FEDERAL U

Executive Office of the President
Office of National Drug Control Policy

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Appalachia U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Arizona +
‘Atlanta U.S. Department of Justice
California Border Alliance Group Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Central Florida Criminal Division
Central Valley California Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force
Chicago Drug Enforcement Administration
Gulf Coast Boston/New England Field Division
Hawaii Dallas Field Division
Houston El Paso Intelligence Center
Lake County Houston Field Division
Los Angeles Philadelphia Field Division
Michigan San Diego Field Division
Midwest Seattle Field Division
Milwaukee Federal Bureau of Investigation
Nevada Atlanta Field Division .

New England Boston Field Division

New Mexico Buffalo Field Division

New York/New Jersey . Chicago Field Division
Northern California Dallas Field Division

North Florida Kansas City Field Division
North Texas Los Angeles Field Division
Northwest New Haven Field Division
Ohio Philadelphia Field Division
Oregon Sacramento Field Division
Philadelphia/Camden Salt Lake City Field Division
Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands San Diego Field Division
Rocky Mountain San Francisco Field Division
South Florida Seattle Field Division

South Texas St. Louis Field Division
Washington/Baltimore Federal Bureau of Prisons
West Texas National Gang Intelligence Center

33

.S. Department of Defense
United States Army
Criminal Investigation Division -

Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Bureau of Justice Statistics



National Gang Intelligence Center

Locat, STATE, AND REGIONAL

ALABAMA
Alabama Department of Corrections
Anniston Police Department
Birmingham Police Department
Decatur Police Department
Gadsden Police Department
Huntsville Police Department
Mobile Police Department
Montgomery Police Department
Tuscaloosa Police Department

ALASKA
Alaska State Police
Anchorage Police Department
Fairbanks Police Department
Juneau Police Department
University of Alaska-Fairbanks
University Police Department

ARIZONA
Arizona Department of Corrections
Douglas Police Department
Glendale Police Department
Nogales Police Department
Phoenix Police Department
Tucson Police Department
Yuma Police Department

ARKANSAS
Fort Smith Police Department
Jonesboro Police Department
Little Rock Police Department
Rogers Police Department

CALIFORNIA

Anaheim Police Department

Calexico Police Department

California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation .

California Department of Justice
Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation

Campbell Police Department

Chula Vista Police Department

El Cajon Police Department

El Centro Police Department +
Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
Fresno Police Department

Glendale Police Department
Hayward Police Depaftment
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office
Lake County Sheriff's Office

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office
Los Angeles Police Department
Merced Police Department
Modesto Police Department
Moreno Valley Task Force

Napa Police Department

Oakland Police Department
Oceanside Police Department
Orange Police Department
Richmond Police Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Office
Salina Police Department

San Diego County Sheriff's Office
San Diego Police Department

San Francisco Police Department
San Jose Police Department

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
Southern Alameda County Gang Task Force

CoLoRADO
Aurora Police Department
Colorado Springs Police Department
Denver Police Department
Fort Collins Police Department
Grand Junction Police Department
Greeley Police Department
Mesa County Sheriff's Office
Pueblo Police Department

CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Department of Corrections
Meriden Police Department
New Haven Police Department
Putnam Police Departments
Stamford Police Department .
Windsor Police Department *



w

Map 1. Gang membership per capita, by state.
Source National up Theat Survey 2008; el program seca eld sures of stat and oa lw enforcement 208; and U.S. Census population estimates 206

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‘Nationa GANG THREAT SUMMARY

Gangs pose a serious threat to public safety in many communities throughout the United States. Gang
members are increasingly migrating from urban to suburban areas and are responsible for a growing per-
centage of crime and violence in many communities. Much gang-related criminal activity involves drug
trafficking; however, gang members.are increasingly engaging in alien and weapons trafficking. Additionally,
a rising number of U.S.-based gangs are seemingly intent on developing working relationships with U.S.-
and foreign-based drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and other criminal organizations to gain direct
access to foreign sources of illicit drugs. . .

Key FINDINGS

The following key findings were developed by analysis of available federal, state, and local law en-
forcement information; 2008 National Drug Intelligence Center-(NDIC) National Drug Threat Survey
(NDTS) data; and verified open source information:

* Approximately 1 million gang members belonging to more than 20,000 gangs were criminally active
within all 50 states and the District of Columbia as of September 2008.

Local street gangs, or neighbothood-based street gangs, remain a significant threat because they con-
tinue to account for the largest number of gangs nationwide. Most engage in violence in conjunction
with a variety of crimes, including retail-level drug distribution. :

According to NDTS data, 58 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies reported that crimi-
nal gangs were active in their jurisdictions in 2008 compared with 45 percent of state and local agen-
cies in 2004.

* Gang members are migrating from urban areas to suburban and rural communities, expanding the
gangs’ influence in most regions; they are doing so for a variety of reasons, including expanding drug
distribution territories, increasing illicit revenue, recruiting new members, hiding from law enforce-
ment, and escaping other gangs. Many suburban and rural communities are experiencing increasing
gang-related crime and violence because of expanding gang influence.

Criminal gangs commit as much as 80 percent of the crime in many communities, according to law
enforcement officials throughout the nation. Typical gang-related crimes include alien smuggling,
armed robbery, assault, auto theft, drug trafficking, extortion, fraud, home invasions, identity theft,
murder, and weapons trafficking.

* Gang members are the primary retail-level distributors of most illicit drugs. They also are incteasingly dis-
tributing wholesale-level quantities of marijuana and cocaine in most urban and suburban communities.

Some gangs traffic illicit drugs at the regional and national levels; several are capable of competing
with U.S.-based Mexican DTOs.

* US.-based gang members illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border for the express purpose of smuggling
illicit drugs and illegal aliens from Mexico into the United States.

Many gangs actively use the Internet to recruit new members and to communicate with members in
other areas of the United States and in foreign countries.

Street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs pose a growing threat to law enforcement along the U.S.—
Canada border. They frequently associate with Canada-based gangs and criminal organizations to
facilitate various criminal activities, including drug smuggling into the United States.

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Drug distribution by gang members poses a
growing concern in suburban and rural communities;
gang members are the primary retail-level drug dis-
tributors and are increasing their wholesale-level drug
distribution in most urban and suburban communi-
ties. According to the NDTS 2008, 58 percent of
law enforcement agencies in the United States report
that gangs are involved in drug distribution, com- -
pared with 45 percent in 2004; much of this increase
occurred in suburban and rural areas. NDTS data
further indicate that the primary drug distributed
by gangs is marijuana, followed by powder cocaine,
crack cocaine, MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymetham-
phetamine, also known as ecstasy), methamphet-
amine, diverted pharmaceuticals, and heroin. (See
Figure 4.) Open source reporting indicates that
gang-related violent crime is increasing in some urban
areas. For example, in San Diego, California, fatal
gang-related homicides increased 56 percent from 18
in 2006 to 28 in 2007. In addition, Salinas, Califor-
nia, gang-related homicides increased 125 percent
from 4 in 2006 to 9 in 2007.

Law enforcement agencies report that gang
members are increasingly using firearms in con-
junction with their criminal activities. Moreover,
during the latest 5-year reporting period ending
in 2007, 94.3 percent of gang-related homicides
reportedly involved the use of a firearm. Gang
members typically buy, sell, and trade firearms
among their associates. Gang members often ob-
tain these firearms through thefts and straw pur-
chases. These firearms are for personal use or for
use by fellow gang members in committing homi-
cides and armed robberies. For example, members
and associates of Los Angeles-based Black P Stone
Bloods and Rolling 20s Crips were arrested in July
2008 for illegally selling more than 119 firearms,
according to-law enforcement reporting. In addi-
tion, members of California-based Mara Salvatru-
cha obtain weapons for their personal use and sell
weapons and ammunition to members of other
gangs in California for profit, according to FBI
information.

Figure i. Percentage of Law Enforcement Agencies Reporting Gang Involvement
- in Drug Distribution, by Drug Type, 2004-2008

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“Table 1. Gangs Reported t Have
Military-Trained Members

i Gang Name Type of Gang
18th Street Gang Street
Aryan Brotherhood Prison
Asian Boyz Street
Bandidos OMG
Black Disciples ” Street
Bloods Street
Crips Street
Florencia 13 Street
Gangster Disciples Street
Hells Angels ~ -OMG.-
Latin Kings . Street
Mexican Mafia (La Eme) Prison

“| Mongols OMG
MS 13 Street
Nortefios Street
Outlaws Motorcycle Club OMG
Surefios Street
Vagos . - OMG
Vice Lords : Street

‘Source: National Gang Inteligence Center.

threat that they pose to law enforcement is po-
tentially significant, particularly if gang members
trained in weapons, tactics, and planning pass this
instruction on to other gang members. (See Table
1.) In addition, gang members currently serving
in the military sometimes take advantage of their
positions to engage in criminal activities such as
trafficking weapons and drugs.

GanG RELATIONSHIPS
Wiru DTOs AnD OTHER
CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

Some larger gangs have developed regular
working relationships with DTOs and other crimi-
nal organizations in Mexico, Central America, and
Canada to develop sources of supply for wholesale
quantities of illicit drugs and to facilitate other
criminal activities. According to law enforcement
information, gang members provide Mexican

Il

DTOs with support, such as smuggling, transpor-
tation, and security. Specific examples include:

* Some prison gangs are capable of directly
controlling or influencing the smuggling of
multihundred kilograms of cocaine and meth-
amphetamine weekly into the United States.

Texas-based, regional-level prison gangs co-
operate with Mexico-based DTOs to smuggle
wholesale quantities of cocaine and marijuana
and illegal aliens into the United States from
Mexico. Additionally, these gangs extort mon-
ey from drug and alien traffickers transiting
the Southwest Border.

Some-national-level Hispanic street gangs
have close associations with Mexico-based
DTOs. Hispanic gang members reportedly
obtain cocaine and marijuana from the DTOs
and transport the drugs to primary U.S. drug
market areas for further distribution.

* Canada-based Chinese and Vietnamese DTOs
and criminal groups maintain close working re-
lationships with Asian gangs operating in Cana-
da and the United States. Canada-based DTOs
are the primary suppliers of multithousand-
tablet quantities of MDMA and multihundred-
pound quantities of high-potency marijuana to
Asian gangs operating in the United States. The
DTOs also use Asian gang members for other
aspects of drug distribution opérations in the
United States.

Cross-BoRDER
Ganc ACTIVITY

U\S.-based gang members are increasingly
involved in cross-border criminal activities, par-
ticularly in areas of Texas and California along the
U.S.—Mexico border. Much of this activity involves
the trafficking of drugs and illegal aliens from
Mexico into the United States and considerably
adds to gang revenues. Further, gangs are increas-
ingly smuggling weapons from the United States
into Mexico as payment for drugs or to sell for a
significant profit. Examples of such cross border
activities include:



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NATIONAL GANG
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2009



National Gang Intelligence Center

This page intentionally left blank.

32



National Gang Intelligence Center

SOUTHEAST REGION

Approximately 9,871 gangs with more than 172,360 members are criminally active in the Southeast
Region, according to 2008 NDTS data and interviews with local law enforcement officials. (See Figure 10.)
‘Also according to NDTS data, the percentage of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Southeast
Region that report gang activity in their jurisdictions has increased from 50 percent in 2004 to 68 percent
in 2008. The most significant gangs operating in the region are Crips, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings,
Surefios 13, and UBN. (See Appendix B.)

Gang-related trends: Predictive NGIC/NDIC intelligence:

« The presence of MS 13 in North Carolina * Hispanic gangs will expand their drug distri-
and Georgia is growing. bution operations in the Southeast Region.

* The increased migration of Hispanic gangs ° Hispanic gangs will establish more direct as-
into the region has zesulted in violent sociations with Mexican sources of supply for
confrontations with local African American drugs. ~ -
gangs for control of gang territories. * Hispanic gangs will take a more active role in

* Mexican DTOs have increased their crimi- developing independent transportation and
nal operations in the region over the past distribution networks in the region.
few years, providing gangs, particularly His- * Some Hispanic gangs in the Southeast Region
panic gangs, in the region with a steady sup- will transition from retail-level drug sales to
ply of drugs that they have used to expand wholesale-level distribution, which may lead
their drug distribution operations. to violent confrontations with other wholesale

drug distributors in the region.

Figure 10. Southeast Region gang membership by county.

20



St PEED enc ae aPC celts

The National Gang Intelligence Center thanks the National Drug Intelligence Center
for collecting and analyzing strategic gang-related intelligence and producing this document.



National Gang Intelligence Center

Appenpix C. Prison GANGS

ARYAN BROTHERHOOD

,

Aryan Brotherhood, also known as AB, was originally ruled by consensuf but is now highly structured
with nwo factions—one in the CDC and the other in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The majority
of members are Caucasian males, and the gang is active primarily in the southwestern and Pacific regions.
Its main source of income is the distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine within
prison systems and on the streets. Some AB members have business relationships with Mexican DTOs that
smuggle illegal drugs into California for AB distribution. AB is notoriously violent and is often involved
in murder for hire. Although the gang has been historically linked to the California-based Hispanic prison
gang Mexican Mafia (La Eme), tension between AB and La Eme is increasingly evident, as seen in recent
fights berween Caucasians and Hispanics within CDC.

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 facili-
ties in Texas and outside prison in southwestern Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The gang's main source
of income is derived from smuggling heroin, powder 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 bottler for DTOs. Barrio Azteca members also are involved in alien smuggling, arson, assault,
auto theft, burglary, extortion, intimidation, kidnapping, robbery, and weapons violations.

Brack GUERRILLA FAMILY

Black Guerrilla Family (BGE), originally called Black Family or Black Vanguard, is a prison gang
founded in the San Quentin State Prison, California, in 1966. The gang is highly organized along para-
military lines, with a supreme leader and central committee. BGF has an established national charter, code
of ethics, and oath of allegiance. BGF members operate primarily in California and Maryland. The gang
has 100 to 300 members, most of whom are African American males. A primary source of income for gang
members comes from cocaine and marijuana distribution. BGF members obtain such drugs primarily from
Nuestra Familia/Nortefios members or from local Mexican traffickers. BGF members are involved in other
ctiminal activities, including auto theft, burglary, drive-by shootings, and homicide. ‘

HERMANOS DE PIsTOLEROS LaTINos

Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) is a Hispanic prison gang formed in the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in the late 1980s. It operates in most prisons and on the streets in many commu-
nities in Texas, particularly Laredo. HPL is also active in several cities in Mexico, and its largest contingent
in that country is in Nuevo Laredo. The gang is structured and is estimated to have 1,000 members. Mem-
bers maintain close ties to several Mexican DTOs and are involved in trafficking quantities of cocaine and
marijuana from Mexico into the United States for distribution.

MEXIKANEMI

The Mexikanemi prison gang (also known as Texas Mexican Mafia or Emi) was formed in the early
1980s within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The gang is highly structured and is esti-
mated to have 2,000 members, most of whom are Mexican nationals or Mexican American males living in
Texas at the time of incarceration. Mexikanemi poses a significant drug trafficking threat to communities in

28



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Product No. 2009-M0335-001

Nort DakoTA
Bismarck Police Department
Fargo Police Department

Oxto
Akron Police Department
Cleveland Police Department
Columbus Police Department
Dayton Police Department
Youngstown Police Department

OKLAHOMA
Lawton Police Department

Oklahoma City Police Department _

Tulsa Police Department

OREGON
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Eugene Police Department
Fairview Police Department
Gresham Police Department
Medford Police Department
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
Oregon Department of Justice
Portland Police Department
Salem Police Department
Troutdale Police Department
‘Washington County Sheriff's Office

PENNSYLVANIA
Allentown Police Department
Erie Police Department
Hermitage Police Department
Lancaster Police Department
Philadelphia Police Department
Pittsburgh Police Department
Reading Police Department
Scranton Police Department

RHODE IsLaND

Providence Police Department
Rhode Island State Police
West Warwick Police Department

SourH CAROLINA
Charleston Police Department
Columbia Police Department

Greenville Police Department

North Charleston Police Department

South Carolina Department of Corrections

South Carolina Gang Prevention Study Committee
Spartanburg Police Department

York County Sheriff's Office

Sourn Dakota
Rapid City Police Department
Sioux Falls Police Department

‘TENNESSEE
Chattanooga Police Department
Murfreesboro Police Department
Nashville Police Department

Texas
Brownsville Police Department
Corpus Christi Police Department
Dallas Police Department
Department of Public Safety
Eagle Pass Police Department
Ector County Sheriff's Office
El Paso Police Department
Houston Police Department

Joint Operational Intelligence Center

Laredo Police Department
McAllen Police Department
Midland Police Department
Odessa Police Department
San Antonio Police Department

UTAH
Cedar City Police Department
Garfield County Drug Task Force
Iron County Drug Task Force
Ogden Police Department/

‘Weber County Gang Unit

Salt Lake City Police Department
Salt Lake County Area Gang Project
St. George Police Department
Washington County Drug Task Force

VIRGINIA
Fairfax Police Department
Fredericksburg Police Department
Henrico County Police Departement



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Appenpix B. Street GANGS

187TH STREET (NATIONAL)

_ Formed in Los Angeles, 18th Street is a group of loosely associated sets or cliques, each led by an influ-
ential member. Membership is estimated at 30,000 to 50,000. 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 shoot-
ings, extortion, homicide, identification fraud, and robbery.

Amicuty Latin KING AND QUEEN NaTION (NATIONAL)

The Latin Kings street gang was formed in Chicago in the 1960s and consisted predominantly of Mexi-
can and Puerto Rican males. Originally created-with: the philosophy of overcoming racial prejudice and cre-
ating an organization of “Kings,” the Latin Kings evolved into a criminal enterprise opérating throughout
the United States under two umbrella factions—Motherland, also known as KMC (King Motherland Chi-
cago), and Bloodline (New York). All members of the gang refer to themselves as Latin Kings and, currently,
individuals of any nationality are allowed to become members. Latin Kings associating with the Motherland
faction also identify themselves as “Almighty Latin King Nation (ALKN),” and make up more than 160
structured chapters operating in 158 cities in 31 states. The membership of Latin Kings following KMC is
estimated to be 20,000 to 35,000. The Bloodline was founded by Luis Felipe in the New York State cor-
rectional system in 1986. Latin Kings associating with Bloodline also identify themselves as the “Almighty
Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN).” Membership is estimated to be 2,200 to 7,500, divided among
several dozen chapters operating in 15 cities in 5 states. Bloodline Latin Kings share a common culture and
structure with KMC and respect them as the Motherland, but all chapters do not report to the Chicago
leadership hierarchy. The gang's primary source of income is the street-level distribution of powder cocaine,
crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Latin Kings continue to portray themselves as a community organiza-
tion while engaging in a wide variety of criminal activities, including assault, burglary, homicide, identity
theft, and money laundering.

Asian Boyz (NatTIoNaL)

Asian Boyz is one of the largest Asian street gangs operating in the United States. Formed in southern
California in the early 1970s, the gang is estimated to have 1,300 to 2,000 members operating in at least 28
cities in 14 states. Members primarily are Vietnamese or Cambodian males. Members of Asian Boyz are in-
volved in producing, transporting, and distributing methamphetamine as well as distributing MDMA and
marijuana. In addition, gang members are involved in other criminal activities, including assault, burglary,
drive-by shootings, and homicide.

Biack P Stone Nation (NATIONAL)

Black P. Stone Nation, one of the largest and most violent associations of street gangs in the United
States, consists of seven highly structured street gangs with a single leader and a common culture. It has an
estimated 6,000 to 8,000 members, most of whom are African American males from the Chicago metro-
politan area. The gang’s main source of income is the street-level distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana
and, to a lesser extent, methamphetamine. Members also are involved in many other types of criminal activ-
iry, including assault, auto theft, burglary, carjacking, drive-by shootings, extortion, homicide, and robbery. |

23



Product No. 2009-M0335-001

information. (See Appendix B.) Established
cells in foreign countries assist gangs operat-
ing in the United States in further developing
associations with DTOs and other criminal
organizations in those countries. National
gangs typically have several hundred to several
thousand members nationwide who operate
in multiple regions; they may have cells in
foreign countries with members who assist
the U.S.-based gangs, further developing
associations with DTOs and other criminal
organizations in those ‘countries.

Prison GANGS

Prison gangs pose a serious domestic threat,
particularly national-level prison gangs chat affili-
ate with Mexican DTOs and maintain substantial
influence over street gangs in the communities
in which they operate. Prison gangs are highly
structured criminal networks that operate within
the federal and state prison systems. Furthermore,
these gangs operate in local communities through
members who have been released from prison.
Released members typically return to their home
communities and resume their former street gang
affiliations, acting as representatives of their prison
gang to recruit street gang members who perform
criminal acts on behalf of the prison gang.

Regional-level street gangs? increasingly distrib-
ute drugs at the wholesale level. Ac least five
street gangs, specifically Florencia 13; Fresno.
Bulldogs, Latin Disciples, Tango Blast, and

VOHLHHYELOLUOHLUELOYMYG

United Blood Nation, have been identified

as operating at a regional-level. (See Ap-
pendix B.) Typically, regional-level gangs are
organized, with several hundred to several
thousand members. Regional-level gangs may
have some members in foreign countries and
maintain ties to DTOs and other criminal

Prison gangs often control drug distribution
within correctional facilities and heavily influ-
ence street-level distribution in some communi-
ties. Prison gangs exert considerable control over
midlevel and retail-level drug distribution in the
Southwest Region and in southern California.
Their trafficking activities are facilitated through

their connections to Mexican DTOs, which ensure
access to a continuous supply of illicit drugs that
are distributed through their networks in prison or
are supplied to affiliated street gangs.

organizations operating in the United States.

Local street gangs, occasionally referred to as
neighborhood-based gangs or neighborhood-

ee ee SS SS SS SS SK TS TSS

based drug crews, pose a considerable prob-
lem for local law enforcement and a concern
for federal law enforcement. Currently, most
street gangs are local-level gangs that operate
in single locations. Local street gangs usually
range in membership from three to several
hundred members. Most of these gangs en-
gage in violence in conjunction with a variety
of crimes, including retail-level drug distri-
bution; however, they usually have no direct
ties to DTOs or other criminal organizations.
However, several law enforcement agencies
have reported that a few local gangs have es-
tablished ties to wholesale-level drug traffick-
ers operating along the U.S.-Mexico border.
In addition, law enforcement officials in com-
munities along the U.S.-Mexico border have
noted an increase in the number of local gang
members establishing dual membership with

+ National-level prison gangs pose a significant
threat, since most maintain some type of re~
lationship with DTOs. (See Appendix C.) OF
the five identified national-level prison gangs,
two have members or associates in at least
two foreign countries. Prison gangs are well
organized and governed by established sets
of rules and codes of conduct that are rigor-
ously enforced by gang leaders. For example,
California-based Mexican Mafia (La Eme)
uses fear and intimidation to control Hispanic
street gangs whose members are in prison and
on the street in California. Such control gives
La Eme command over 50,000 to 75,000
Surefios gang members and associates.

Regional-level prison gangs pose a more mod-
est, but growing, threat because they are

VIVO NY ON VN VN NNOVOLOHOUE

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increasingly developing associations with
DTOs. Regional-level prison gangs have
organizational structures that are similar to
those of national-level gangs but typically are
limited co operating in one or two state prison

their counterpart gangs in Mexico.

3. Local and regional street gangs, except for a few signifi-
cant regional-level gangs, are too numerous to list in Appen-
dix B and are, therefore, referenced wherever applicable.



National Gang Intelligence Center

Tiurcit FINANCE

Gangs earn the profits essential to maintaining
their criminal operations and the lifestyles of their
members primarily through drug distribution.
Most gang members are retail-level dealers who use
drug proceeds to make typical consumer purchas-
es, pay their living costs, or purchase luxury goods
such as vehicles and jewelry.

According to openly published law enforce-
ment repotting, gang members typically launder
profits from criminal activities through front com-
panies and real estate investments. Gang members
use front companies such as clothing stores, hair
salons, and music recording and production com-
panies to commingle illicit proceeds earned from
drug sales with licit income from these businesses.
Some gang members also use mortgage fraud
schemes or purchase real estate as investments or as
a means to commingle illicit funds with rental pay-
ments. For example, members of Chicago-based
Latin Kings, Black Disciples, Vice Lords, and
Gangster Disciples use mortgage fraud schemes
that employ straw purchasers and unscrupulous
mortgage brokers and appraisers to purchase prop-
erties at a minimal cost and sell them at a higher
value to a third party. The gang members receive
the profits from the sales, seemingly legitimizing
the income, while their associates typically default
on the loans, often defrauding banks or mortgage
companies.

GanG COMMUNICATIONS

Gang niembers often use cell phones and the
Internet to communicate and promote their il-
licit activities. Street gangs typically use the voice
and text messaging capabilities of cell phones to
conduct drug transactions and prearrange meet-

* ings with customers. Members of street gangs use
multiple cell phones that they frequently discard
while.conducting their drug trafficking operations.
For example, the leader of an African American
street gang operating on the north side of Milwau-
kee used more than 20 cell phones to coordinate
drug-related activities of the gang; most were pre-
paid phones that the leader routinely discarded and
replaced. Internet-based methods such as social net-
working sites, encrypted e-mail, Internet telephony,

and instant messaging are commonly used by gang
members to communicate with one another and
with drug customers. Gang members use social net-
working Internet sites giich as MySpace, YouTube,
and Facebook as well as personal web pages to com-
municate and boast about their gang membership
and related activities.

* According to open source and local law
enforcement reporting, members of Crips
gangs in Hampton, Virginia, use the Inter-
net to intimidate rival gang members and
maintain web sites to recruit new members.
On October 23, 2007, a 15-year-old Crips
gang member was-arrested for shooting a rival
gang member in the leg. Additionally, he was
charged with the recruitment of persons for .
a criminal street gang through the use of the
gang's social networking site.

* Gangs in Oceanside, California, are recruit-
ing new members and claiming new turf on
the Internet. Gang members flash gang signs
and wear gang colors in videos and photos
displayed on Internet sites. Sometimes, rivals
“spar” on Internet message boards. Oceanside
Police Department officers who investigate
the city’s resident Crips and Bloods easily find
well-produced, self-promoting songs and vid-
eos featuring local gang members on Internet
web sites.

Ganc MEMBERS IN THE
MILITARY

Members of nearly every major street gang as well
as some prison gangs and OMGs have been identified
on both domestic and international military installa-
tions. Deployments have resulted in gang members
among service members and/or dependents on or
near overseas bases. Additionally, military transfers
have resulted in gang members, both service members
and dependents/relatives, moving to new areas and
establishing a gang presence.

Gang members with military training pose a
unique threat to law enforcement personnel be-
cause of the distinctive military skills that they
possess and their willingness to teach these skills to
fellow gang members. While the number of gang
members trained by the military is unknown, the

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