- 68-count indictment alleges gang with ties to Mexican Mafia collected extortionate taxes and provided security, including the use of violence, to protect the illegal gambling businesses.
- One of those charged is accused of directing violent retaliation against slap (gambling) houses in the Orange County area that did not pay the gang’s extortionate “taxes.”
- Two of the individuals charged are alleged to have murdered a victim at the Akua Inn, a gang-controlled motel in Anaheim.
Federal authorities announced the arrests of 43 individuals with alleged ties to the Mexican Mafia throughout Southern California early morning Thursday. Most of those charged resided in Orange County.
Charges included murder, kidnapping, running an illegal gambling operation and drug trafficking, prosecutors said.
The Mexican Mafia, a.k.a. “La Eme,” is a U.S.-based prison gang that has immense control over Hispanic street gangs in Southern California, directing illegal activities from prisons and collecting a portion of the proceeds from drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and other crimes committed on the streets…