Mexican Mafia busted for running crime in LA County jails
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County jails are run by the sheriff, but the Mexican Mafia wielded the power in the underworld behind bars.
The organization made up of leaders from various Latino gangs operated like an illegal government, collecting "taxes" on smuggled drugs, ordering hits on people who didn't follow their rules and even calling the shots on street crimes, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Their clout was diminished as 83 members and associates were charged in a pair of sweeping federal racketeering conspiracies that alleged drug dealing, extortion, violent assaults and even murders.
"We just delivered a blow to a cold-blooded prison gang and their associates," U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said during a news conference.
Read more: http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/us_news/mexican-mafia-busted-for-running-crime-in-la-county-jails/article_8b9de891-b504-51be-b274-fb83ea78b91b.html