Introduction
The Barrio Azteca is a prison gang that originated from the Texas prison system that rose to prominence in the 1990s when it became known as one of the most violent gangs in the El Paso/ Ciudad Juarez area. In this paper I will discuss how the Justice Department categorizes gangs and organizations, putting emphasis on prison gangs, how these organizations are formed and interact with one another. I will give a brief overview on the war on drugs in both Mexico and the United States, how the area affected Barrio Azteca and vice versa. I will then go into discussing the Barrio Azteca; their history, organization, tattoos, violence, and how they …show more content…
They engage in criminal activity that include but not limited to, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and contract killings. Some of the most well-known and violent street gangs in the United States include MS-13, Surenos, and 18th street. Very similar to street gangs are motorcycle gangs; they also originated from the streets or countryside. They perform similar criminal activities, the only difference is they use there motorcycles to perform criminal activities. Examples of motorcycle gangs in the United States are Hells Angels, the Mongols, and the …show more content…
This act allowed for the United States to regulate and tax the production of narcotics. Then in 1937, the “Marihuana tax” was signed into law. Though this law did not criminalize marijuana, it but large fines, up to $2000, on it if taxes were not paid. These two acts would lead to the United States controlling substances. After the Great Depression, marijuana became publicly recognized as a “killer