Global National recently reported that the violent Hispanic street gang, Mara Salvatrucha or "MS-13", has spread from the United States to Canada and has now taken root in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Edmonton and Calgary.
Designated by Newsweek as "the most dangerous gang in North America", Global National is not the only media outlet in the past couple of years to sound the siren call on the gang, including highlighting some of its alleged disturbing practices such as beheading rivals, amputating fingers from non-compliant members, and executing police officers.
The MS-13 wellspring is Central America, most notably El Salvador and Honduras, where the gang is large and growing. Shown below is a police roll-call for a recent gang sweep of MS-13 members in El Salvador, witnessed by my associate Tony Moreno of the LAPD who was there to train officers in the art of working gangs.
The fact that MS-13 members are active in Canada should come as no surprise, as gangs are naturally expansive. However, despite allegations that MS-13 is a highly organized street gang and has "exported" members to Canada and elsewhere, this is more myth than reality. Gang members, including the MS-13 variant, move for many reasons. For example, an MS-13 member, who has committed a crime in Los Angeles and is wanted by the police, might seek refuge for a while in a different city like Toronto where other MS-13 members are known to live. The same process works in reverse as well. But this does not necessarily mean that there is any purposeful importation/exportation process at work - that large U.S. "supergangs" are somehow transplanting their gangsterism en masse to Canadian communities to take advantage of less competitive conditions.
I work for a risk management firm representing multinational clients. I am currently trying to get a better understanding of the gang problem facing Canada, and specifically Toronto.
I'd love to ask you some questions, especially about MS-13, in light of the recent arrests. Can you please contact me? Thanks.
Posted by: Max | June 10, 2008 at 10:27 AM
hello ,
my name is dr M James. We belvie that MS 13 is now active with italians in canada and has feelings for anyone or anything
the italians are very hurtful and now they are with MS - 13 we all have to watch out so please be careful thankyou ,
your's truly mikkie james.
Posted by: conor hand | October 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM