Muslim Gangs Rising In Spain?

That's what it looks like. They are called, "Latin gangs." But ...


From Ansamed:

Spain: National Alarm Over Rise in Latin Gangs

(ANSAmed) — MADRID, JUNE 15 — They are between 13 and 20 years old, they mark their territory and impose their dominion through violence and intolerance. Mara 18 and Mara 13 are the names of two new Latin gangs, at war with each other. They are responsible for bloody brawls and score-settlings, which are increasing rapidly in some municipalities of Catalonia, from Hospitalet to Cornell via Barcelona and Girona.

But the alarm issued by the police about the worrying increase of the phenomenon of Latin gangs concerns all Spain. It is described in a report drafted by the national police, quoted today by the media. The report denounces a “significant increase in quantity and quality”.

At least six gangs have their roots in 11 Provinces, from north to south: Madrid, Balearic Islands, Barcelona, Alicante, Asturias, Burgos, Jaen, Logrono, Murcia, Valladolid and Seville. They guarantee their members respect, imposed by violence, access to parties and sex, after a blood oath which cannot be cancelled.

According to the report, the phenomenon has been on the rise since the year 2000. In that year the first organised juvenile gangs were seen in Spain, and the leader of the Sagrada Tribù, Ataualpa Spain, of the Latin Kings, was arrested. The report, drafted on request of the Organisation of American States, reveals mostly “thefts with violence or intimidation; attacks on police agents; drugs trafficking; breach of the peace; aggression and bodily harm; possession of cold steel and fire arms and murder attempts”.

The most notorious gangs are the Latin Kings and their main opponents, the Netas, and the Dominican Dont Play, of which the police arrested 40 members of 5 nationalities in a large-scale operation in November. Less well-known but not less dangerous are the Trinitarios, the Black Panthers and the Stin Kings. The State Secretary for Security of the Interior Ministry launched a 5-year plan on January 6 2006 to coordinate police action in an attempt to stem the violence of these groups. The plan will expire in December 2011.

In a report, ordered by State Secretary for Security Antonio Camacho, a far-reaching prevention programme is proposed. The sharp growths of the new gangs Mara 18 and Mara 13 in Catalonia in the past two years was noticed thanks to the exchange of information between the South American countries of origin and the Regions.

According to the report, Mara 18 is divided in groups, called “clicas”, which control the territory. Each member has to pay 3 euros per week to maintain the organisation. Members who break the rules are punished, a decision taken by the leader, called “el mero”. This punishment consists of a beating by part of the gang members. Mara 13 has its roots in the Raval district in Barcelona.  

According to the report, its members include several different ethnic groups: Moroccans, Rumanians and even adolescents from Bangladesh. (ANSAmed).