Sur-13

Sur-13 is a national Latino street gang which originated in Southern Los Angeles and has affiliates in the Birmingham area. The gang uses the number 13, sometimes written as "XIII" or "X3" to refer to the 13th letter of the alphabet, "M" which stands for "Mexican Mafia". Gang members are known as "Surenos," meaning "southerners". Members identify themselves with blue bandanas and LA Dodgers apparel.

In July 2005 investigators from the U. S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement's "Operation Community Shield" arrested 44 gang members in the area, including Sabino Rios-Angulo and his father, suspected gang leaders. Both were charged with entering the United States illegally and placed in deportation proceedings.

A spate of Sur-13 graffiti tags appeared in the Druid Hills neighborhood in March 2008, spreading fear of an imminent turf war with the ATO gang already operating there.

See also

• Mara Salvatrucha

References

• Plummer, Don (August 9, 2005) "Federal sweep nabs 70 in metro Atlanta gang." Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Green, John Marc (November 6, 2007) "Where the Gangs Are." CBS 42 News.
• Norris, Toraine (April 3, 2008) "Hispanic gangs spreading in Birmingham metro area."