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MARA SALVATRUCHA

The reach of 'America's most dangerous gang'
Sunday, January 22, 2006
The trail of crimes and arrests during the past five years involving the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, gang stretches from Central America to Middle America. Federal authorities say the gang is active in 33 states and the District of Columbia and is involved in crimes including murder, rape, drive-by shootings, carjackings, drug trafficking and immigrant smuggling.

As a result, the gang has become a top enforcement priority of federal law enforcement officials.

Arizona

A dozen members arrested last month in federal arrest sweep.


Arkansas

Linked to multistate theft and robbery sprees in 2004 that were used as a way to finance MS-13 operations in Houston and other cities.


California

More than 600 arrests in two sweeps last year on drug-trafficking, gun-smuggling, racketeering and auto theft charges, among others.


District of Columbia

Linked to three slayings during the past three years, including the slashing death of a federal informant who helped break a Texas case. Also linked to robberies, shootings and thefts.


Maryland

Indictments of 19 members on racketeering charges stemming from six murders and four attempted killings in 2003.Dozens of members arrested in August in two shooting attacks last year that wounded six teenagers. Fifty-five members arrested since 2001 on homicide, stabbing, prostitution and weapon charges, among others.


Massachusetts

Sixty-one members arrested in crackdown last year on weapon, theft, assault and immigration charges. Two members are charged with raping two deaf teenage girls in a park.


Nevada

Members blamed in 2004 shooting death of a 12-year-old boy while playing soccer. Three members arrested last year in federal crackdown.


New York

Two members sent to prison for life in shooting deaths of two rivals. Authorities say other killings have gang ties. Membership estimated at 300 last year.


North Carolina

Linked to 11 murders in 2000. Recent arrests on weapon and immigration charges. Membership estimated at 200 in 2004.


Oklahoma

Five members arrested last month on weapon and immigration charges in national arrest sweep.


Texas

•Houston: Shootout in November with federal agents left two MS-13 members dead. Blamed in string of home-invasion robberies, carjackings, thefts and smuggling of over-the-counter medications, cigarettes, clothing, infant formula and weapons.

•Dallas and San Antonio: Activities of a few MS-13 members are being watched closely, federal officials say.

•Brownsville: Pakistani man is caught crossing the Rio Grande last year with an MS-13 member and several other illegal immigrants, giving rise to fears that the gang might be helping Middle Eastern terrorists sneak into the United States.

•Falfurrias: Ebner Anibal Rivera-Paz, the leader of MS-13 in Honduras who is accused of masterminding a 2004 massacre of 28 men, women and children in Honduras, is arrested in February 2005 along with other illegal immigrants during a traffic stop.


Virginia

Two members sentenced to life in prison last year for murdering a rival. Recent arrests on weapon and immigration charges.


Wisconsin

Three members arrested, accused of stealing up to $55,000 in cough and cold medicines, used to help finance their illicit activities.


Canada

Links to Toronto street gangs confirmed by police last year.


El Salvador

Blamed for half the violent crime in the country and for a 23 percent increase in murders last year. Also blamed for involvement in recent prison riots. Thousands of members jailed in a recent crackdown.


Guatemala

Blamed for sparking coordinated riots at seven prisons in 2004 that killed 35 and injured 70, most of them rivals.


Honduras

Blamed for raid on bus in December 2004 that killed 28, including seven children, and the deaths of 13 people in three other bus hijackings â€â€