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Criminal Division HomeStreet Gangs
Criminal Street Gangs and Photos
Street Gangs are located throughout the United States (U.S.), and their memberships vary in number, racial and ethnic composition, and structure. Large national street gangs pose the greatest threat because they smuggle, produce, transport, and distribute large quantities of illicit drugs throughout the country and are extremely violent. Local street gangs in rural, suburban and urban areas pose a steadily increasing threat, transporting and distributing drugs within specific areas. The local street gangs often imitate the larger, more powerful national gangs in order to gain respect from their rivals.
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■18th Street Gang
Formed in Los Angeles, 18th Street is a loosely associated set of cliques, each led by an influential and prominent member. Membership in 18th Street is estimated to consist of between 30,000 to 50,000 individuals. In California, approximately 80 percent of the 18th Street gang's membership is composed of illegal aliens from Mexico and Central America. 18th Street is active in 44 cities and in 20 states. 18th Street's main source of income is derived from the street-level distribution of cocaine and marijuana, and to a lesser extent, heroin and methamphetamine. 18th Street gang members also engage in crimes such as assault, auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shooting, extortion, homicide, identification fraud and robbery.
■Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation
The Latin Kings street gang was formed in Chicago in the 1960s and consisted predominantly of Mexican and Puerto Rican males. Originally created with the philosophy of overcoming racial prejudice and creating an organization of "Kings," the Latin Kings evolved into a criminal enterprise operating throughout the United States under two umbrella factions - Motherland, also known as KMC (King Motherland Chicago), 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 correctional 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 organization while engaging in a wide variety of criminal activities, including assault, burglary, homicide, identity theft, and money laundering.
■Asian Boyz
Asian Boyz is one of the largest Asian criminal street gangs operating in the U.S. Formed in Southern California in the early 1970's, the Asian Boyz are estimated to have between 1,300 to 2,000 members operating in at least 28 cities and in 14 states. Asian Boyz is composed primarily of Vietnamese and/or Cambodian-American males. Members of the Asian Boyz are involved in producing, transporting and distributing methamphetamine, as well as ecstasy and marijuana. In addition, the Asian Boyz are involved in other criminal activities such as assault, burglary, drive-by shooting and homicide.
■Black Peace Stone Nation
The Black Peace Stone Nation (BPSN) is one of the largest and most violent associations of street gangs in the U.S. The BPSN consists of seven highly structured criminal street gangs with a single leader and a common culture. The BPSN has an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 members, a majority of whom are African-American males from the Chicago metropolitan area. The BPSN's primary source of income is derived from the street-level distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and, to a lesser degree, methamphetamine. Members of the BPSN are also involved in other types of criminal activity including assault, auto theft, burglary, carjacking, drive-by shooting, extortion, homicide and robbery.
■Bloods
The Bloods are an association of structured and unstructured gangs that have adopted a single gang culture. Large, national-level Bloods gangs include such entities as the Bounty Hunter Bloods and Crenshaw Mafia Gangsters. Bloods membership is estimated to consist of between 5,000 to 20,000 individuals, most of whom are African-American males. Blood gangs are active in 123 cities and in 33 states. The main source of income for the Bloods is derived from the street-level distribution of cocaine and marijuana. Bloods members are also involved in the transportation and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin, and to a lesser extent, PCP (phencyclidine). The Bloods are also involved in other criminal activity such as assault, auto theft, burglary, carjacking, drive-by shooting, extortion, homicide, identification fraud and robbery.
■Crips
The Crips are a collection of structured and unstructured gangs that have adopted a common gang culture. Crips membership is estimated to consist of between 30,000 to 35,000 individuals, most of whom are African-American males from the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Large, national-level Crips gangs include the 107 Hoover Crips, Insane Gangster Crips and Rolling 60s Crips. Crips gangs operate in 221 cities and in 41 states. The main source of income for Crips gangs is derived from the street-level distribution of powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and PCP (phencyclidine). The Crips also are involved in other criminal activities including assault, auto theft, burglary and homicide.
*Florencia 13
Florencia 13 (F-13 or FX-13) originated in Los Angeles in the early 1960's and gang membership is estimated to be more than 3,000 individuals. Florencia 13 operates primarily in California and increasingly in Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Utah. Florencia 13 is subordinate to the Mexican Mafia (La Eme) prison gang and claims Sureños (Sur 13) affiliation. A primary source of income for Florencia 13 is derived from the trafficking of cocaine and methamphetamine. Florencia 13 gang members also smuggle into the U.S. for distribution multi-kilogram quantities of powdered cocaine and methamphetamine obtained from their sources of supply in Mexico. In addition, Florencia 13 gang members produce large quantities of methamphetamine in Southern California for local distribution. Florencia 13 gang members are further involved in other criminal activities, including assault, drive-by shooting and homicide.
■Fresno Bulldogs
The Fresno Bulldogs (Bulldogs) are a criminal street gang that originated in Fresno, California, in the late 1960's. The Bulldogs are the largest Hispanic street gang operating in Central California, with a membership estimated at between 5,000 to 6,000 individuals. The Bulldogs are one of the few Hispanic street gangs in California that claim neither Sureños (Southern) nor Norteños (Northern) affiliation. The Bulldogs do associate with Nuestra Familia gang members, particularly when engaged in the trafficking of narcotics. The street-level distribution of methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin is a primary source of income for Bulldog gang members. In addition, the Bulldogs are involved in other types of criminal activity including assault, burglary, homicide and robbery.
■Ganster Disciples
The Gangster Disciples criminal street gang was formed in Chicago, Illinois, in the mid-1960's. The Gangster Disciples are structured like a corporation and are led by a Chairman of the Board. The Gangster Disciples gang membership is estimated to consist of between 25,000 to 50,000 individuals, a majority of whom are African-American males from the Chicago metropolitan area. The Gangster Disciples are active in 110 cities and in 31 states. The Gangster Disciples main source of income is derived from the street-level distribution of cocaine, marijuana and heroin. The Gangster Disciples are also involved in other types of criminal activity including assault, auto theft, fraud, homicide and money laundering.
■Latin Counts
The Latin Counts are a violent Hispanic criminal street gang that originated in Chicago in the mid-1960's. The Latin Counts are composed of at least five structured factions with an estimated 400 to 600 members and associate members. Most members of the Latin Counts are either Mexican nationals or Mexican-American males. The Latin Counts are most active in the Great Lakes region. The Latin Counts derive a source of income from the street-level distribution of crack cocaine, powdered cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Members of the Latin Counts are also involved in other types of criminal activity including assault, auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shooting, home invasion, homicide and weapons trafficking.
■Latin Disciples
The Latin Disciples, also known as the Maniac Latin Disciples and the Young Latino Organization, originated in Chicago in the late 1960's. The Latin Disciples is composed of at least 10 structured and unstructured factions with an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 members and associate members. Most members of the Latin Disciples are Puerto Rican males. Maniac Latin Disciples is the largest Hispanic gang in the Folk Nation Alliance. The Latin Disciples are most active in the Great Lakes and Southwestern regions of the U.S. The Latin Disciples are involved in the street-level distribution of powdered cocaine, heroin, marijuana and PCP (phencyclidine). Members of the Latin Disciples are also involved in other criminal activity including assault, auto theft, carjacking, drive-by shooting, home invasion, homicide, money laundering and weapons trafficking.
■Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13, is one of the largest Hispanic criminal street gangs operating in the U.S. Traditionally, MS-13 consisted of loosely affiliated groups known as cliques, however, law enforcement officials have reported increased coordination of criminal activity among MS-13 cliques in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and the New York metropolitan areas. MS-13 is estimated to have between 30,000 to 50,000 members and associate members worldwide, and between 8,000 to 10,000 members residing in the U.S. MS-13 members are involved in the smuggling of illicit drugs into the U.S., primarily powdered cocaine and marijuana. MS-13 members are also involved in the transportation and distribution of drugs throughout the U.S. MS-13 members also engage in other criminal activities including alien smuggling, assault, drive-by shooting, homicide, identification theft, prostitution, robbery and weapons trafficking.
■Surenos and Nortenos
As individual Hispanic street gang members enter prison systems, they put aside former rivalries with other Hispanic street gangs and unite under the name Sureños or Norteños. The original Mexican Mafia (La Eme) 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 Mafia (La Eme) began to refer to the Hispanic gang members who worked for them as Sureños (Southerners). Inmates from northern California became known as Norteños (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 Sureños or Norteños but remains independent. Sureños 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 (La Eme) as well as their own gang. Sureños gangs also are involved in other criminal activities such as assault, carjacking, home invasion, homicide, and robbery. Norteños 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 extortion of drug distributors on the streets. Norteños gangs also are involved in other criminal activities such as assault, carjacking, home invasion, homicide, and robbery.
■Tango Blast
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 (La Eme). 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 founding four chapters are collectively known as Puro Tango Blast or the Four Horsemen. From the original four 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 difficult to monitor. The gang does not conform 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 Gangsters
The Tiny Rascal Gangsters (Tiny Rascals) are one of the largest and most violent Asian criminal street gangs in the U.S. The Tiny Rascals are composed of at least 60 structured and unstructured gangs, commonly referred to as sets, with an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 members and associate members who have adopted a common street gang culture. Most members of the Tiny Rascals are Asian-American males. Tiny Rascal sets are most active in the Southwestern, Pacific and New England regions of the U.S. The Tiny Rascals are involved in the street-level distribution of powdered cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamine. Tiny Rascal members are also involved in other types of criminal activity including assault, drive-by shooting, extortion, home invasion, robbery and theft.
■United Blood Nation
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 Ñetas, who dominated the prison. United Blood Nation (UBN) is a loose confederation 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, intimidation, prostitution operations, and weapons distribution.
■Vince Lord Nation
The Vice Lord Nation, which is based in Chicago, is a collection of structured criminal street gangs operating in 74 cities and in 28 states, primarily in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. Led by a national board, the Vice Lord Nation consists of an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 members, most of whom are African-American males. The main source of income for the Vice Lord Nation is derived from the street-level distribution of cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Members of the Vice Lord Nation also engage in other criminal activity including assault, burglary, homicide, identity theft and money laundering.
James M. Trusty
Acting Chief, Gang Unit
Gang Unit Direct Line
(202) 514-1103
Department of Justice Main switchboard
(202) 514-2000
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