Given the gang’s propensity for violence, relationship with cartels, increased control over numerous cliques, rising numbers and juvenile recruiting practices, MS-13 remains a Tier 1 threat.īarrio Azteca continues to be a significant threat to Texas because of its propensity for violence, level of criminal activity, relationships with cartels and other gangs, control of the Valle de Juarez in Mexico and the drug corridor in El Paso, their involvement in sex trafficking, and a high level of transnational criminal activity.
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MS-13 continues to refine and change techniques in evading law enforcement detection by changing their long-standing rules regarding clothing and tattoos. This trend is likely the cause of increased membership in Texas, though actual gang presence is fluid due to the transient nature of gang members and gang activities. Recent intelligence, however, suggests MS-13 now uses Houston as a hub of criminal activity. MS-13 members historically used Texas as a transitional area or as a location to hide from criminal charges in other states or countries. MS-13 leadership may be attempting to capitalize on this attention and allegedly has made efforts to extend their control of cliques and programs in the United States. Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) has attracted national attention over the past year, highlighting the violent nature of the gang and leading to increased scrutiny of the gang by law enforcement. Despite these struggles, the TMM will likely continue to be organizationally effective, changing their structure to best fit their available resources and engage in criminal activity, and remain a significant threat to the Texas. The new generation of TMM is causing internal strife, dismantling the organization from within, and increasing the level of separation between older and younger members.
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Though TMM members continue to uphold commitment to the gang, unceasing law enforcement targeting efforts have affected membership growth and structure. The Texas Mexican Mafia (TMM) formed within the Texas prison system in 1984 as a means for inmates to protect themselves from the Texas Syndicate.