http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory. ... e1/3325777

Aug. 26, 2005, 11:55AM


Border's eyes focusing on bloody gang
U.S. lawmen say MS-13 members are trying to slip into Valley amid other immigrants
By JAMES PINKERTON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Rio Grande Valley Bureau

ROMA - It was a crude and savage killing, as five "clients" of an immigrant smuggler allegedly beat the Mexican youth to death in the brushy thickets outside of town.

His clients, authorities say, were members of the infamous Mara Salvatrucha gang, or MS-13, and were apparently angry at the 18-year-old smuggler for leaving behind a fellow gang member who had caused trouble.

The killing was in keeping with the violent reputation of the Central American street gang, whose members are known to be involved in various criminal enterprises.

''He was beaten to death with sticks and stones, and I'm not talking about little stones," said Marco Treviño, an assistant district attorney in Starr County. The prosecutor said two gang members are being held on murder charges related to the Aug. 10 attack and ''two or three" other gang members are being sought.

Across the Rio Grande Valley, local police are on the lookout for other MS-13 members, as Border Patrol agents report catching increasing numbers of gang members as they cross the river with other undocumented immigrants. Many are identified as MS-13 members because of large tattoos featuring gang initials in Gothic letters on their arms, hands, legs, chest and foreheads.

Federal agencies began a nationwide operation to round up MS-13 members and other gangs in March in response to a series of machete attacks in communities around Washington, D.C.

''Whenever we come in contact with illegals, we question them to see if they are gang members," said Sgt. Carlos Zamarron of the La Joya Police Department. He said the long-standing information about MS-13 members slipping across the Texas border with groups of undocumented workers has taken on new importance since the smuggler's death two weeks ago.

''We're very aware, and it's a big concern," Zamarron said.


Increased vigilance
In the two southernmost Border Patrol sectors on the Texas border â€â€