Mexican Mafia
Southwestern incarceration gang
The Mexican Mafia is a Mexican-American prison gang originating in California's correctional system in the 1950s.
Despite the name, it operates primarily within the United States, controlling drug trafficking, extortion, and other criminal enterprises both inside prisons and on the streets.
Members are sometimes called *La Eme* (Spanish for "the M"): The Mexican Mafia controls much of the drug trade in Southern California prisons.
Combined group pursuing shared interest
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- gangOrganized criminal group
- crewWorking team aboard
- cliqueExclusive social group
shot-caller · kingpin · godfather · lieutenants · soldiers · associates · prospect · dropout
Obtaining through threats
- drug traffickingIllegal distribution of controlled substances
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
- contract killingPaid assassination job
taxation · protection racket · smuggling · heroin · methamphetamine · greenlight · assassination · murder-for-hire
Prison housing unit
- yardLinear measure or grounds
- inmateConfined facility resident
- convictJailed offender after trial
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
correctional · lockup · solitary · shank · contraband · commissary · protective custody · prison gang
Authority to direct
- fearEmotional response to threat
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- respectRegard with honor
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
power · dominance · coercion · threats · terror · enforcement · loyalty · silence
Southwestern US coastal region
- barrioHispanic urban district
- turfGrass-covered earth surface
- strongholdFortified place of defense
- enclaveSurrounded distinct territory
neighborhood · street · block · county jail · state prison · border · plaza · domain
syndicate
Combined group pursuing shared interest
clique · shot-caller · kingpin · godfather · lieutenants · soldiers · associates · prospect · dropout · greenlight
extortion
Obtaining through threats
- drug traffickingIllegal distribution of controlled substances
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- hitSuccessful contact or strike
contract killing · taxation · protection racket · smuggling · heroin · methamphetamine · greenlight · assassination · murder-for-hire · street tax
cellblock
Prison housing unit
penitentiary · correctional · lockup · solitary · shank · contraband · commissary · protective custody · prison gang · shot-caller
control
Authority to direct
- fearEmotional response to threat
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- respectRegard with honor
authority · power · dominance · coercion · threats · terror · enforcement · loyalty · silence · submission
Southern California
Southwestern US coastal region
- barrioHispanic urban district
- turfGrass-covered earth surface
- strongholdFortified place of defense
enclave · neighborhood · street · block · county jail · state prison · border · plaza · domain · jurisdiction
Mexican MafiaFBI
U.S. domestic intelligence agency
DEA · law enforcement · federal prosecutors · ATF · police