Violent groups across the nation
Known for their distinctive tattoos, drug trafficking and brutal crime sprees, Mara Salvatrucha (most commonly known as MS-13) is considered by some to be the most dangerous gang in the United States.
The gang, comprised primarily of Salvadorans, was designated as the first transnational criminal street gang by the Department of Treasury in 2012, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Since 2005, MS-13 has been targeted by federal authorities as part of Operation Community Shield, a multi-agency law enforcement initiative aimed at bringing down transnational criminal gangs, prison gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs that are involved in the illegal drug trade in the United States.
MS-13 gang members on Long Island have also been the subject of Operation Matador, another joint law enforcement anti-gang initiative in New York, according to ICE. From May 2017 to Sept. 30, 2018, Operation Matador accounted for 353 MS-13 arrests.
According to ICE, Homeland Security is “attacking MS-13’s global criminal enterprise by denying MS13 leaders access to the illicit funds used to continue fueling the gang violence in Central America and the United States.”
Some of the other most dangerous gangs in America include:
■ The Latin Kings: Mainly based out of Chicago, considered by some to be the largest Hispanic and Latino street gang in the world.
■ Crips: Founded in the 1960s in Los Angeles, promoted by some famous rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Eazy-E.
■ Bloods: Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, known to have a long-standing rivalry with the Crips.
■ 18th Street Gang: Based out of Los Angeles, largely comprised of Central American and Mexican members.
■ Hells Angels: A criminal motorcycle gang founded in California, known for riding signature Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
■ Mongols: Founded in California, a criminal motorcycle gang known to be rivals of the Hells Angels.
■ Aryan Brotherhood: A neo-Nazi gang known for their prevalence in prisons across the country.