TEXAS -- Descriptions, names and membership numbers of several gangs deemed the largest threat to the state's public were released by the Texas Department of Public Safety Monday in a statement detailing an overview of gang activity in Texas.
More than 100,000 individuals may be involved with the various gangs in Texas, according to the report. Texas gangs are active in both human smuggling and human trafficking operations.
The groups that pose the highest threat to the public in Texas due to their relationships with Mexican cartels, high levels of criminal activity across different countries, their level of violence and overall presence are as follows:
- Tango Blast, Tango cliques: 15,000 members
- Texas Syndicate: 3,400 members
- Texas Mexican Mafia: 4,700 members
- Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13): 800 members
- Latin Kings: 2,100 members
The "2015 Gang Threat Assessment" was developed according to a statute that requires an annual report to be submitted to the governor and Texas Legislature assessing the threat of statewide gangs. According to the department, the report is constructed based on reports from law enforcement and criminal justice agencies across the state and nation.
Go here to view the full report.
