| These gangs were noted earlier, they are the notorious "maras" (Mara Salvatruchas) and there are really just 2; the 13th St and 18th St gangs. Originally from Guatemala, sporting profuse tattoos, about 60 are estimated to enter with each traincar load of cocaine (imagine smuggling whole traincars full of the stuff) bound for the gringan market. Naturally they concentrate in LA (big market). When Project Minuteman was announced, a captive mara gang boss doing hard time on narcotics charges from his prison cell called on gang members to help out the Mexicans -I guess its "hispanic solidarity". I think those minutemen won't even last that long if confronting hardened drug gang members. It is troubling as I'd expect a lot more attention on the border if gringoes get slaughtered left and right, hopefully it won't come to this. |