Texas is home to some of the most deadly and powerful gangs in the nation, despite its reputation for having thriving cities, a rich history, and a diverse culture. These criminal organizations have a significant impact throughout the state and are actively involved in crimes such drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, and murder. Here is a closer look at five of the most deadly gangs that are currently active in Texas.
The Texas Syndicate
Although it started in California jails, the Texas Syndicate, or just TS, is well-established in Texas. Hispanic individuals make up this gang, which follows a stringent code of conduct and has a structured hierarchy.
TS has a significant role in extortion, contract assassinations, and drug trafficking. They collaborate closely with Mexican drug cartels to smuggle drugs into the United States, and they are particularly active in the Texas-Mexico border regions. They are a formidable force to be reckoned with because of their operations in places like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Tango Explosion
One of Texas’ biggest and fastest-growing gangs is Tango Blast. Their less centralized structure, which enables them to function in smaller, more adaptable groups across several cities, is what distinguishes them.
Tango Blast members are well-known for their tattoos, which frequently include Texas pride emblems like the state flag or the logos of sports teams. They are prevalent in big cities like Austin, Houston, and Fort Worth and engage in violent crimes, robberies, and drug delivery. Despite their informal appearance, Tango Blast is accountable for a sizable portion of the state’s gang-related offenses.
Mara Salvatrucha, MS-13
Despite having its headquarters in Los Angeles, the infamous international gang MS-13 has spread to Texas. Members of MS-13 are notoriously violent and engage in violent killings, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
MS-13 is especially active in Houston and the neighboring areas, where they intimidate neighborhoods and recruit young recruits. They are among the most feared gangs in Texas because of their tactics, which include the use of machetes.
Texas’s Aryan Brotherhood
The white supremacist prison gang known as the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) has developed into a significant criminal organization. Although they are well-known for their racist beliefs, their main goal is to get money through unlawful means.
Both inside and outside of jails, ABT members are heavily involved in organized violence, extortion, and drug trafficking. They continue to have a major impact on other gangs and criminal organizations across the state of Texas thanks to their dominance in the state’s jail system.
Azteca Barrio
El Paso is the birthplace of Barrio Azteca, which has close ties to Mexican drug traffickers, especially the Juárez Cartel. This gang is an important participant in the drug trade because they operate on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border.
They engage in targeted killings, extortion, and drug trafficking. Members of Barrio Azteca are renowned for their fierce tactics and unwavering commitment, which have helped them hold onto power in border cities like El Paso and elsewhere.
The More Comprehensive View
These gangs are only a small portion of the criminal organizations that are harming people in Texas. Their actions put communities who live in constant fear of violence and corruption as well as law enforcement under pressure.
To combat the influence of these gangs, awareness is essential. To give people who run the danger of being involved in gang life options, it is necessary to fund youth programs, education, and community outreach in addition to law enforcement initiatives. Texas can move toward a safer future for its citizens by tackling the underlying reasons of gang involvement.
