Latino street gangs

Latino street gangs are any of a number of criminal organizations with cliques operating throughout Central and North America, including the Birmingham District. Many got their start in U. S. prisons. The following have been reported as active in the area by police and immigrations officials:

• La Quemada
• Legion Negra
• Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), an El Salvadoran gang organized in Los Angeles in the 1980s. The group is associated with the colors blue and white and with elaborate facial tattooing. The group is loosely networked with the Mexican Mafia prison gang.
• Norteños (Nuestra Familia), a highly-organized gang formed in the late 1960s at Folsom Prison in opposition to the Mexican Mafia which then dominated Southern California. Identified with the color red, the number 14 (XIV, X4, 14 and 4 dots) as well as the five-pointed star and the huegla bird.
• Southside Locotes
• Sureños or Sureño-13, is an affiliate of the Mexican Mafia prison gang, identified with the color blue, the number 13 (XIII, X3, 13 and 3 dots)
  • Brown Pride 13
  • Judas 13
  • Tiny Maldito Sureños (Malditos)

References

• Robinson, Carol (August 31, 2008) "Mexican and Central American drug gangs said to be operating in the Birmingham area." Birmingham News
• Stock, Erin (January 27, 2010) "27 immigrants detained in operation targeting street gangs." Birmingham News