MS-13

=**Mara Salvatrucha** = Brought to you by: Ernest, Leah, and Courtney




 * The Mara Salvatrucha, one of the most violent street gangs to come from Latin America, is rocking the Western United States, and inflicting massive problems and issues in the Latin American governments and legal systems. A closer look to what this gang is, its beginnings, and some of the all sot after information is review, as you are guided through the most violent gang that exists: MS-13.**

So, how did all this start? 


 * During the 1980's, a civil war erupted and tore through the country of El Salvador, and with a fear of terror and harm, over 2 million citizens immigrated to the United States. Most found themselves living in Los Angeles, California, were there had been a strong presence of Mexican migrants as well. The settling in was soon followed by the victimization of the El Salvadorian peoples, and thus they created a new group that would come together and protect the community. They called themselves, Mara Salvatrucha.

//How did you get the name?//

They combined the name of "la Mara", a violent street gang on El Salvador , with "salva truchas" , a term used to denote members of the "Fara Bundo Marti National Liberation Front". The "13" was added to pay tribute to the California prison gang, Mexican Mafia.**

//**What are some of the characteristics of this gang?**//


 * The MS-13 usually have numerous tattoos, carry bandanas around there wrists, back pockets, and other various locations or a combination, like to were blue and white, and they enjoy sports clothing, especially jerseys that have the number 3, 13, or 10.

//What crimes are committed by this gang? How vast are there Crime Networks?//

The MS-13** **members are involved in many and numerous criminal activity, and have access to high tech- sophisticated weaponry, ranging from military grade sniper equipment to rocket propelled grenades (RPG). Most activity that this gang is involved in includes, but is not limited to: - Extortion - Murder - Drug Trafficking**
 * - Firearms Trafficking**
 * - Highly financed and closely protected Prostitution Rings**
 * - Other various criminal dealings

Most of the MS-13 are located still in El Salvador, but from the flow of immigration, there are thousands in California, and suprisingly, a several thousand in Washington, D.C.**



