November 13, 2012 5:18 PM
Yuma Sun

Two suspected Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members were arrested recently while allegedly attempting to cross the border into the United States illegally during two separate incidents.

The first arrest was made Thursday evening when agents patrolling near Andrade, Calif., saw five people allegedly crossing into the U.S. from Mexico and arrested them. During processing, agents learned a man in the group from El Salvador claimed to be a member of MS-13. His identity was not released.

According to the Border Patrol, the man had been deported from the U.S. in August 2011. He has an extensive criminal history, including multiple drug offenses and larceny. He is being held for prosecution.

The second incident happened Monday evening when agents patrolling along the Colorado River arrested a man after he allegedly swam across the international border. His identity was not released.

After transporting the man to the Yuma Station, agents learned he was allegedly a MS-13 gang member. He is being held for prosecution.

According to the FBI, MS-13 is a transnational criminal gang founded in the late 1980s. It is made up mostly of Salvadoran nationals or first-generation Salvadoran-Americans but includes members from other Hispanic countries as well.

The gang operates in at least 42 states and the District of Columbia, and has about 6,000 to 10,000 members nationwide.

MS-13 members engage in a wide range of criminal activity, including drug distribution, murder, rape, prostitution, robbery, home invasions, immigration offenses, kidnapping, carjackings, auto thefts and vandalism. MS-13 is “exceedingly violent” while carrying out such crimes, the FBI said.

BP arrests suspected MS-13 gang members | gang, members, agents - YumaSun