Posted on 09/04/2005 4:57:37 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa
Midwestern farmlands seem an unlikely hideout for Osama bin Laden's hired hands, but an ongoing federal crackdown reveals the increased presence here of a notoriously violent gang with suspected links to al-Qaida.
Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, a gang founded in El Salvador and known for smuggling drugs and immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border, could be bringing terrorists with them.
"The al-Qaida, from what we understand, has been meeting with them in Central America," said Rep. Solomon Ortiz, D-Texas, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees national security.
Ortiz testified in March that al-Qaida has offered MS-13 about $250,000 to smuggle "high value al-Qaida operatives across the border."
"Only God knows who or what they've been able to bring in" to the United States, Ortiz told The Associated Press.
The FBI estimates up to 30,000 MS-13s are in the United States.
With help from local agencies, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested more than 630 suspected MS-13 members this year through "Operation Community Shield."
ICE spokesman Tim Counts described MS-13 as "one of the largest and most violent street gangs in the country." Though he could not confirm an al-Qaida connection, "there's always a concern for such organizations to become involved with terrorists," he said.
MS-13 members have been implicated in dozens of killings across the United States, including many using the gang's trademark machete.
The Washington area ranks as the top U.S. hotspot for MS-13 presence with 95 arrests since ICE launched its operation in February. Long Island, N.Y., and Boston follow with 56 and 55 arrests, respectively.
"We've seen them in virtually every major metropolitan area and in what one would consider relatively small communities," said Dean Boyd, a Washington-based ICE spokesman.
At least 10 arrests have been reported in recent weeks in central Iowa _ in Marshalltown, Perry and Des Moines.
Marshalltown police arrested an MS-13 member last month but say at least a handful still live here, many involved in dealing drugs.
On a recent tour of a northeast neighborhood, police pointed to graffiti-covered buildings and run-down houses where MS members are suspected to live. Two Hispanics were riding bicycles down the street, one wearing a No. 99 Raiders football jersey.
"There's one now," Detective James Ulin said, pointing from his patrol car. He explained how the Mara Salvatruchas have factions that name themselves after different streets in Los Angeles, many using the MS-13 name, but this one calling himself an MS-18.
"Nine and nine; that's 18," Ulin said of the jersey, noting how members occasionally try to hide their affiliation from authorities.
He pulled the bicyclists over and arrested one on a warrant for failure to appear in court. He questioned the Raider-clad man _ named Pedro _ about his gang affiliation.
"I'm clean man," Pedro told Ulin, sweat dripping from his forehead. "I'll see you on the street."
Ulin watched Pedro ride away.
"A lot of officers would stop that kid and not know what the ... jersey meant," said Ulin, adding that Pedro has a history of drug involvement. "I try to keep my eyes open for stuff like that."
This city of about 30,000 is home to a meatpacking plant that in the last decade has drawn Hispanics seeking work.
The growing immigrant population is a draw for MS-13 members looking to "easily hide and operate," said Marshalltown Police Chief Lon Walker.
Walker was one of five police chiefs who met in Washington last month to talk with homeland security officials about the crackdown on MS-13 and other gangs.
"With the border as open as it is, it ought to be a concern because of the terrorist situation," Walker told The Associated Press.
MS-13 moved to Los Angeles in the early 1980s to escape civil war in El Salvador, and quickly gained a reputation as ruthless drug traffickers and aggressive recruiters _ reportedly accepting members as young as 12 years old, Counts said.
"Mara" means gang, "Salva" is short for El Salvador and "trucha" is slang for "fear us," "look out" or "heads up."
Des Moines Police Sgt. Joe Gonzalez said MS-13 members in Iowa can be identified by their characteristic tattoos, which sometimes cover their entire arms and faces.
Let's hear it for an asinine immigration polict, dating back for years and over multiple Presidents. Any idiot with the IQ of a geranium could have seen this happening.
30,000 is an army.
OH - HUH!!!!
They're here to do the jobs Americans won't do!
Thank you for open borders presidente Bush !
MS-13 Ping!
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off this South Texas/Mexico ping list.
Almost tempted to ask that this goes on the Just Damn pinglist.
Prayers.
Mr. President, are you noticing?
These scum need to be arrested, tried and EXECUTED.
Are they "temporary guest workers/terrorists/gang members"?
Perhaps they are just here to do the terrorist acts Americans won't do?
sarc/off.
JEDI
" Let's hear it for an asinine immigration polict, dating back for years and over multiple Presidents. Any idiot with the IQ of a geranium could have seen this happening "
Yes, thanks to the kennedys and libs for the changes in our immigration policies!
"Thank you for open borders presidente Bush !"
He should be very aware of this being that his ranch in Crawford isn't more than few hours from the border. I would think anyway.. doesn't appear that way though.
They are here and they have brought in really bad stuff.
True. And President Bush has done nothing to help the situation.
.....yet 10,000+ stream across our borders each week unaccounted for.
Go Homeland security, Go!!!!!!
LOL
Politicians permit these gangs to operate in the US and refuse to deport them because they are corrupt, mentally unbalanced, and/or traitors.
Happy you got a gang of links on this doncha ?
Gang being called on in this thread for jihad:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1477483/posts
Link for reference:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1420911/posts
America's Most Dangerous Gang
Thanks for the ping Calpernia.
Thanks for the ping!
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