Texas Dept. of Public Safety releases 2015 Gang Threat Assessment

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released its 2015 Gang Threat Assessment.

The Barrio Azteca gang has been downgraded to Tier 2 after it had previously been ranked in Tier 1 since 2010.

“Contributing factors to their downgrade include the broken exclusive relationship with the Juarez Cartel along with recent law enforcement investigations that have severely disrupted the gang in and around the El Paso area,” according to the report. “In previous years, the relationship between Barrio Azteca and the Juarez Cartel had played a major role in its ranking in Tier 1. This evaluation has changed with the occupation of the Sinaloa Cartel in Ciudad Juarez, and the arrest of the Juarez Cartel’s leader, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, in October 2014.”

A long-term investigation that started in 2012 and ended in Sept. 2014 looked into the alleged organized criminal activities of the Barrio Azteca criminal enterprise organization and resulted in the arrest of 16 Barrio Azteca gang members and 16 Barrio Azteca gang associates. The arrests were made without incident and charges included violations of drug distribution conspiracy and Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organization (RICO).

In addition, four consensual searches and one search warrant were executed resulting in the seizure of controlled substances and a large sum of U.S. currency.The 2012-2014 investigation included the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (El Paso), Federal Bureau of Investigation (El Paso), Drug Enforcement Administration (El Paso), United States Marshals Service (El Paso), El Paso Police Department, El Paso Sheriff’s Office, Socorro Police Department, El Paso County Constables, and the Horizon Police Department.

Region 4 includes El Paso, Odessa, Midland, San Angelo and a significant portion of the U.S. border with Mexico.

The largest and most active prison gangs in Region 4 are the Tango cliques of West Texas and El Paso (Chuco), Barrio Azteca, Sureos (all sets), Crips (all sets), and Latin Kings, Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, and Aryan Circle, according to the DPS report.

Other significant gangs active throughout Region 4 include Texas Mexican Mafia, Texas Syndicate, and Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. Gangster Disciples are reportedly active in El Paso.

Among all gang members entering into TDCJ during FY2014, about 6 percent came from counties located in Region 4. Forty-two percent of those gang members originated from the El Paso-Las Cruces MSA.

More on Barrio Azteca

At present, Barrio Azteca must share trafficking areas with the Sinaloa Cartel and Juarez Cartel, resulting in a reduction of the gang’s influence in both Ciudad Juarez and El Paso. While this does not necessarily

reduce their capacity to commit transnational crimes, their effectiveness in controlling both sides of the

border is diminished, and it places the gang on a more even playing field with other Texas-based gangs.

2014 also marked the end of a three-year investigation targeting Barrio Azteca, resulting in the indictment

of 55 members and associates.8 The investigation and indictments represent a major setback to the gang’s operational effectiveness, which further contributed to its downgrade in the rankings. However, Barrio Azteca remains a significant Tier 2 threat to the state and, in particular, to West Texas, due to their size and organizational style, propensity for violence, high level of criminal activity, and their continued

relationships with the Mexican cartels.