The Mexican Mafia, otherwise known as “La Eme” is one of the oldest and most powerful organized crime organizations in the United States. Originally formed as a prison gang in Duel Vocational Institution in Tracy California in 1957 by Luis Flores, has become one of the super powers in the organized crime world heavily influencing the streets as well as the correctional facilities of the United States. Members were originally recruited to carry out violent acts towards other inmates to control the black market trade in the correctional institution. Throughout the years this once small prison gang has evolved into a massive organized crime syndicate that has vast territories throughout the United States. This is no low level street gang but a multi-million dollar corporation, comprised of some of the most ruthless, violent, and sociopathic criminals in the world.
The Mexican Mafia has incorporated many business ventures to accumulate wealth, in the prison system and out of it. Drug trafficking, extortion, murder, human trafficking, gambling and all other illegal activities that can net a profit they are involved in. According the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department Of Corrections the Mexican Mafia has emerged as one of the most powerful organized crime syndicates in California inside prison and outside of it. During the 1970’s the Mexican Mafia often took control over various community groups In southern California. One reason they did this was to influence and have contact with the youth on the streets and possibly find new recruits, also this was a source for them to launder their money and embezzle money to finance their illegal activities on the streets. An example of this would be the collation between the Mexican Mafia and the Italian-American mafia in Los Angeles, accumulating funds from the non-profit organization “Get Going”. This was a taxpayer funded program founded to help drug addicts in Los Angeles County. In 1995 22 members of the Mexican Mafia were arrested and charged with racketeering, which included charges of extortion, murder, and kidnapping. Members of the Mexican Mafia are extremely loyal to their syndicate inside prison and outside of prison. The members outside usually are very inconspicuous and tend to blend in to mainstream society very well. They control a heavy influence over most of Southern California with some influence in the Northern prison gangs but are very limited. La Eme collects tax from Chicano street gangs, with threat of violence if refused. Many of the Mexican Mafia’s leaders who are incarcerated are in segregation 22-23 hours of the day but are still able to pass messages to their members and shot callers.
The Mexican Mafia is not controlled by a single leader, although founded by Luis Flores and controlled for many years by a “dictator” , the syndicate has evolved into a full on organized crime facet, that a single leader would be nearly impossible. Tests of loyalty are required to become a member and carrying out a murder usually in prison or outside is usually is part of the initiation process. If refused, by a prospect to the organization can often lead in death. Usually to become a member one must be sponsored by an already “made man” , prioritizing the organization over ones family, deny the organization at all cost and under any circumstance, showing respect for all members and dissolving street conflicts before their incarceration are keys elements to becoming a full pledged member. Once a person is in the Mexican Mafia they are a member until death. If they leave or quit, there is a contract placed on their life and eventually executed.
Some of the rivals of the Mexican Mafia are the Nuestra Familia, which is a heavily organized prison gang that is located and controls the prisons in northern California. The Black Guerilla Family is an African American prison gang that is extremely hated by the Mexican Mafia and stands as one of their worst enemies. The 18th Street Gang in Los Angeles is a very big threat to the organization outside prison walls in southern California, which is comprised of Chicano members who engage in the same criminal activities, which creates competition. Some of the organization’s allies are the Aryan Brotherhood, which is a prison gang and organized crime facet spread across the United States and the world. The Mexican Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood share common enemies in the Black Guerilla family and the other low level street gangs in Southern California. Other Hispanic allies include the MS-13 street gang and the New Mexico Syndicate. The Mexican Mafia is heavily allied itself with the powerful drug cartel throughout central America and through this alliance have created their drug market and have a direct pipeline to the source.
The Mexican Mafia has become one of the most powerful prison gangs in the United States and slowly evolved into a major criminal organization. They pose a threat to all law enforcement and correction officers throughout the United States. They are a heavy contributor of drug trafficking in our country and are responsible for vast amounts of violence in prison and on the street. They have influences throughout our communities and their illegal enterprises threaten our free society.
http://foia.fbi.gov/mafia_mexican/mafia_mexican_part02.pdf
articles.latimes.com/keyword/mexican-mafia –
http://www.insideprison.com/mexican-mafia-prison-gang.asp
Department Of Corrections California: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/
Federal Bureau Of Investigation : http://www.fbi.gov/California: Organized Crime Report 2005, www.ag.ca.gov
