Florencia 13
| Years active | 1930s – present |
|---|---|
| Territory | Mostly in Los Angeles County California, Mexico, Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado |
| Ethnicity | Predominantly Hispanics |
| Membership (est.) | 3000+[1] |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, assault, robbery, extortion, arms trafficking, theft, murder, racketeering, illegal gambling, and fraud |
| Allies | Mexican Mafia, Sureños, The Avenues, El Monte Flores 13 |
| Rivals | 18th Street Gang, 38th Street Gang, Playboys 13, East Coast Crips, Norteños, MS-13 |
The Florencia 13 is an American criminal street gang in Los Angeles, California, composed mainly of Hispanic-Americans. The gangs name is after the Florence area of Los Angeles county, the 13 is for it's allegiance to the Mexican Mafia.[2] They are involved in drug smuggling, murder, assault, robbery etc.
History
Florencia 13 became well established in the South Central area of Los Angeles by the 1930s. The gang was named after Florence Avenue.
The FBI began targeting Florencia 13 gang members for their roles in attacking African-Americans.[3] According to the FBI, "The jury heard testimony that F13 members indiscriminately targeted African-Americans who were seen in their neighborhoods."[3]
At certain times, Florencia 13 leaders ordered killings of African-American gangsters and if the victims could not be found they said, "Well, shoot any black you see," according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.[4]
Operation Joker’s Wild
In 2007, 102 members of Florencia 13 were listed in indictments which was named, Operation Joker's Wild. This led to the biggest gang raid in American history at this time, with 96 of the 102 of the members being taken into custody.[5] The indictments included charges of drug trafficking, attempted murder and murder, extortion.[5]
References
- ^ D. Lyman, Michael. Drugs in Society: Causes, Concepts, and Control. p. 471.
- ^ K. Peach, Stephen. Friendly Fire?: The Good, the Bad and the Corrupt. p. 187.
- ^ a b "Fifth Gang Member Sentenced to Life Without Parole After Convictions in Massive Federal Racketeering Case".
- ^ Watkins, Thomas. "Some of Gang's Killings Race-Based".
- ^ a b FBI. "Ten Defendants in Largest-Ever Federal Gang Case Found Guilty of Racketeering, Narcotics Charges".