Gangs Emerge In State (Oklahoma)

Link:

http://newsok.com/article/1874707#

Summary:

Following the discovery of a smuggler in Oklahoma transporting 47 pounds of cocaine in the fuel tank of the car he was driving, Oklahoma authorities have met with the FBI gang experts to gather information on gangs that are now believed to be operating in the state. As part of the drug bust Oklahoma authorities determined that there were three passengers in the car a 28 year old male, who was in fact the smuggler. There was also a 19 year old woman, and an 11 month old baby, who were flown into El Paso to complete the cover story of the smuggler. FBI special agent, John Davis remarked that MS-13 is now active in Oklahoma and that the telltale gang markings are cropping up in many of the rural communities.

Analysis:

This case is not that surprising. It’s a documentation of the spread of MS-13. In the past, as the Central American immigrant population has grown and spread so has MS-13. Geographically and logistically the spread of MS-13 into Oklahoma follows the interstates. Interstate 35, in particular, runs south from Oklahoma City, down to Dallas, then to Austin, San Antonio, and finally onto Laredo. If you cross the border, Interstate 35 becomes the Inter-American highway, which runs south all the way to San Salvador. San Salvador is the beating heart of MS-13 with membership numbering in the tens of thousands. As you might know from other posts, Nuevo Laredo across the river in Mexico from Laredo, Texas is one of the epicenters of drug trafficking, and is home to the Gulf Cartel and their allies the Zetas and MS-13. As you can see, the spread of MS-13 seems to be following the larger logistical routes and immigration patterns.