Local and Regional Criminal Outfits - Essay Example

It was formed in 1957 in Los Angeles neighborhoods by incarcerated Hispanics before spreading slowly to other parts of North and Central America. Its increasing expansion in operations around central and North America has put it on the definitions of organized crimes. Membership is subject to taking an oath which is accompanied by a trademark numerous tattoos on their faces and bodies and the letter M or sum of 13. Their increasing rate of influence and attack on law enforcers across the United States has earned them a fearsome tag.

Their criminal activities are diverse and just to mention a few include drug smuggling, gun running, people smuggling, hits for hire, theft, and drug sales among others (Rafael, 2007). Their increasing popularity and elevated status have attracted the attention of security agencies who in the recent past has initiated wide-scale raids to nab known and suspected gang members. The outcome has led to netting hundreds of arrests across the United States. The prowess in criminal records comes from the stringent initiation process and emphasis on ruthlessness as the measure of a member’s efficiency and parameter of promotion. They have strong legal structures that regulate the behavior of members. Joint legislative remedies and increasing security measures are currently underway to eliminate this Gang.