Sureños

{{Short description|Coalition of Mexican-American street gangs}} {{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{pp-move|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox criminal organization | name = Sureños | image = File:Surenos tattoo.jpg | image_size =  | caption = Sureños tattoo | founded = {{Start date and age|1967||}}<ref name="Tracking">{{Cite web|last=Valdez|first=A.|date=April 10, 2000|title=Tracking Sureños|publisher=Police Law Enforcement Magazine|url=http://www.policemag.com/Channel/Gangs/Articles/2000/02/In-the-Hood-and-Surenos-Tracking-a-Gang.aspx|access-date=December 21, 2011|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331084346/https://www.policemag.com/special-units/article/15350039/tracking-surenos|url-status=dead}}</ref> | founder =  | named_after =  | founding_location = Southern California, United States<ref name="Criminal Street Gangs">[https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ocgs/gallery/criminal-street-gangs?page=1 Criminal Street Gangs] justice.gov (May 12, 2015) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610061529/https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ocgs/gallery/criminal-street-gangs |date=June 10, 2015 }}</ref> | years_active = 1967–present<ref name="Milkman & Wanberg" /> | territory = 35 U.S. states<ref name="Barkan">Barkan, S. E., & Bryjak, G. J. (2010). ''Fundamentals of Criminal Justice: A Sociological View''. (2nd ed.). Sudbury, Mass.: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.</ref> | ethnicity = Mexican American<ref name="Milkman & Wanberg">Milkman, H. B., & Wanberg, K. W. (2012). Criminal conduct and substance abuse treatment for adolescents: Pathways to self-discovery and change. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc</ref><ref name="Gang Recognition Guide">[https://www.everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/910/Gang-Recognition-Guide Gang Recognition Guide] Everett Police Department {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429041733/https://www.everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/910/Gang-Recognition-Guide |date=April 29, 2021 }}</ref> | membership =  | leaders =  | activities = Drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, robbery, auto theft, fraud, identity theft, homicide, assault<ref name="Criminal Street Gangs"/><ref name="Milkman & Wanberg" /><ref name="Sampson">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sampsonsheriff.com/otherforms/20051011_surenos.pdf|website=Sampson County Sheriff's Office|year=2005|title=Sureños|access-date=October 26, 2011|archive-date=September 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921071638/http://www.sampsonsheriff.com/otherforms/20051011_surenos.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FBI" /> | allies =  {{plainlist| * 18th Street gang<ref name="urlBarrio 18">{{Cite web |url=https://www.insightcrime.org/el-salvador-organized-crime-news/barrio-18-profile-2/ |title=Barrio 18 |date=27 March 2017 }}</ref> * Armenian Power<ref>{{Cite news|last=Speri |first=Alice |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/la-gang-homies-claim-to-be-fighting-in-syria/ |title=LA Gang 'Homies' Claim to Be Fighting in Syria |work=Vice |date=2014-03-05 |access-date=2018-07-22}}</ref><ref>[http://www.laweekly.com/news/the-mysterious-case-of-la-gangsters-in-syria-4487924 The mysterious case of LA gangsters in Syria] LA Weekly {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416194129/https://www.laweekly.com/news/the-mysterious-case-of-la-gangsters-in-syria-4487924 |date=2019-04-16 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/la-gang-homies-claim-to-be-fighting-in-syria/ | title=LA Gang 'Homies' Claim to be Fighting in Syria | date=5 March 2014 }}</ref> * Aryan Brotherhood<ref name="Mallory">Mallory, S., & Mallory, S. L. (2012). Understanding organized crime. (2nd ed., pp. 218-220). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Barlett Learning.</ref><ref name="Bruneau">Bruneau, T., Dammert, L., & Skinner, E. (2011). Maras: Gang violence and security in central america. (st ed., p. 28-29, 32). Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.</ref><ref name="Abadinsky">Abadinsky, H. (2010). Organized crime. (9th ed., p. 189-190). Belmont, CA: Wadesworth Publishing.</ref> * Avenues<ref>[https://www.police1.com/gangs/articles/the-fascinating-history-of-the-sure%C3%B1o-mongol-ruben-cavazos-UbNvYKlm3C7gVdum/ The fascinating history of the Sureño Mongol, Ruben Cavazos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121235036/https://www.police1.com/gangs/articles/the-fascinating-history-of-the-sure%C3%B1o-mongol-ruben-cavazos-UbNvYKlm3C7gVdum/ |date=2021-01-21 }} Andrew Eways, police1.com (February 20, 2015)</ref> * El Monte Flores<ref>[https://www.policemag.com/373310/oldie-but-baddie-el-monte-flores-gang Oldie But Baddie: El Monte Flores Gang] Richard Valdemar, policemag.com (May 20, 2009)</ref> * Familia 27<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment | title=2011 National Gang Threat Assessment }}</ref> * Florencia 13<ref>[https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/as-those-killed-at-tequila-kc-are-laid-to-rest-the-suspects-possible-gang-connections/article_e8ad1fe4-eba2-11e9-9c97-0b2433ee6fd1.html As those killed at Tequila KC are laid to rest, the suspects possible gang connections] KCTV (October 10, 2019)</ref> * Forming Kaos<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/docs/071311-la-99-members-and-associates-mexican-mafia-affiliated-gangs-charged/download |title=99 Members and Associates of Mexican Mafia–Affiliated Gangs Charged |website=ATF.gov |publisher=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives |date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=2025-10-12}}</ref> * Gulf Cartel<ref name="Gang-Drug Trafficking Organization Connections Affecting Suburban Areas">[https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs27/27612/gang.htm Gang-Drug Trafficking Organization Connections Affecting Suburban Areas] justice.gov (April 2008)</ref> * Mexican Mafia<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.policemag.com/blogs/gangs/blog/15318249/mexican-mafia-the-most-dangerous-gang|title=Mexican Mafia: The Most Dangerous Gang|date=April 12, 2010|website=Police Magazine}}</ref> * Mongols<ref name="Outlaw motorcycle gangs">[https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ocgs/gallery/outlaw-motorcycle-gangs-omgs?page=1 Outlaw motorcycle gangs] United States Department of Justice (May 8, 2015)</ref> * Ontario Varrio Sur<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181119091942/https://casetext.com/case/people-v-contreras-145 ''People v. Contreras''] casetext.com (November 28, 2016)</ref> * Playboys<ref>[https://wreg.com/news/playboy-sureno-13-gang-member-found-guilty-in-assault-case/ Playboy Sureno 13 gang member found guilty in assault case] WREG-TV (July 21, 2016)</ref> * Puente 13<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca9-13-50102/pdf/USCOURTS-ca9-13-50102-0.pdf ''United States of America v. Michael Anthony Torres''] govinfo.gov (September 6, 2017)</ref> * Santa Monica 13<ref>[https://thelandmag.com/rucci-interview-king-of-the-norf/ King of the Norf] Jeff Weiss, thelandmag.com (2019)</ref> * Toonerville Rifa 13<ref>[https://www.police1.com/gangs/articles/the-monster-of-atwater-village-JKKROkWEjhQPShXg/ The monster of Atwater Village] Andrew Eways, police1.com (February 8, 2013)</ref> * Vineland Boys<ref name=police>{{Cite web | url=https://www.policemag.com/373003/the-vineland-boys-gang | title=The Vineland Boys Gang | date=20 August 2007 | access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref> * White Fence<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=UCwlDwAAQBAJ&dq=white+fence+sureno&pg=PA245 ''Global Organized Crime: A 21st Century Approach''] Mitchel P. Roth (2017)</ref> }} Temple Street (gang) | rivals =  {{Plainlist| *Bloods<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mobile.roanokeva.gov/Teams/JuvJusticeServ.nsf/xsp/.ibmmodres/domino/OpenAttachment/teams/juvjusticeserv.nsf/14DEC5E457FA4AC385257E14005ED190/Body/Gang%2520Reference%2520Sheets.pdf%26ved%3D2ahUKEwix6qfht4HtAhUjwVkKHavKC50QFjAAegQIIxAC%26usg%3DAOvVaw0p7f8xgPloQXrlQiKIFun6 |title=Gang Reference Sheet |date=May 2011 |access-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215101806/http://mobile.roanokeva.gov/Teams/JuvJusticeServ.nsf/xsp/.ibmmodres/domino/OpenAttachment/teams/juvjusticeserv.nsf/14DEC5E457FA4AC385257E14005ED190/Body/Gang%20Reference%20Sheets.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> *Latin Kings<ref>Hewitt, R. (Director) (2009). ''Gangland'' season 4, ep. 9 "Dog Fights" [Television series episode]. In Pearman, V. (Executive Producer), Gangland. Los Angeles, CA: A&E Television Networks.</ref> *Norteños<ref name="Wormer & Bunker" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county-times/ci_18827620|title=Idyllic Half Moon Bay caught in war between Norteños and Sureños|work=The Mercury News |date=4 September 2011 |access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> *Nuestra Familia<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210121211655/https://casetext.com/case/people-v-ramirez-853 ''People v. Ramirez''] casetext.com (January 23, 2017)</ref> *Tiny Rascal Gang<ref name=CS&R>[http://www.policemag.com/blog/gangs/story/2008/02/los-angeles-gangs-and-hate-crimes.aspx Los Angeles Gangs and Hate Crimes], ''Police Law Enforcement Magazine'' February 29, 2008</ref><ref name=gangviolencepd>{{cite web|author=Hay, Jeremy|url=http://www.jeremyhay.com/uploads/Gang_violence.pdf|title=A HARDER EDGE TO GANG VIOLENCE|work=Press Democrat|date=May 22, 2005|access-date=March 15, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315130707/http://www.jeremyhay.com/uploads/Gang_violence.pdf|archive-date=March 15, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>Moxley, R. Scott. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130728032619/http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2013/07/we_dont_care_gang_oc_murder.php "We Don't Care Gang Killer Begs Judges To Care About His Trial Complaint"], ''OC Weekly'', July 2013.</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ocweekly.com/news/we-dont-care-gang-killer-begs-judges-to-care-about-his-trial-complaint-6471118 | title=We Don't Care Gang Killer Begs Judges to Care About His Trial Complaint – OC Weekly | date=24 July 2013 }}</ref> }} | notable_members = {{plainlist| * Ruben Cavazos * David Barron Corona * Santiago Villalba Mederos * Timothy Joseph McGhee * Luis J. Rodriguez * Joe Saenz }} }} thumbnail|A Sureño gang member

'''''Sureños''''' ({{IPA|es|suˈɾe.ɲos|}}; Spanish for ''Southerners'')‍, also known as '''''Southern United Raza''''', '''''Sur 13''''' or '''''Sureños X3''''', are groups of loosely affiliated gangs<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morales|first=G.|year=2007|title=Sureños|url=http://www.gangpreventionservices.org/sureno.asp|website=gangpreventionservices.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006092239/http://www.gangpreventionservices.org/sureno.asp|archive-date=October 6, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> that pay tribute to the Mexican Mafia (a US-based prison gang) while in U.S. state and federal correctional facilities. Many ''Sureño'' gangs have rivalries with one another, and the only time this rivalry is set aside is when they enter the prison system.<ref name="Sampson" /><ref name="Wormer & Bunker">{{cite journal | last1 = Womer | first1 = S. | last2 = Bunker | first2 = R. J. | year = 2010 | title = Strategic threat: narcos and narcotics overview | journal = Small Wars & Insurgencies | volume = 21 | issue = 1| pages = 81–92 | doi = 10.1080/09592310903561486 | s2cid = 143327189 }}</ref><ref>Larence, E. R. (2010). Combating gangs: Federal agencies have implemented a Central American gang. Washington, DC: United States Accountability Office.</ref> Thus, fighting is common among different ''Sureño'' gangs even though they share a common identity. ''Sureños'' have emerged as a national gang in the United States.<ref name="FBI" />

==History== Mexican American street gangs originated in Los Angeles in the early 1900s as a result of various factors, including economic conditions and racial prejudice. In 1957, the Mexican Mafia (or ''La Eme''), California's first prison gang, was established by Luis "Huerro Buff" Flores and other East Los Angeles gang members, at the Deuel Vocational Institution. The Mexican Mafia was formed, in part, for protection from other groups in the prison population, and recruited its members from Mexican American street gangs. A rivalry subsequently developed between Mexican American inmates from Southern California and those from Northern California. The Southern gang members viewed Mexican Americans from rural, agricultural areas in Northern California with contempt and considered them to be unsophisticated and weak, while the Northerners considered those from Southern California to be overly Americanized.<ref name="Criminal Street Gangs"/> By 1967, ''La Eme'' was attempting to unify all Mexican American gangs in California, and a concerted effort was made to end rivalries between various groups and amalgamate them into the state's largest prison gang. However, the rivalry between Northerners and Southerners was solidified by an incident in which a Mexican Mafia member in San Quentin State Prison fatally stabbed his cellmate—a Mexican American from Northern California—in a dispute over a pair of shoes. The Northerners then formed the ''Nuestra Familia'' (NF) prison gang for protection from the Mexican Mafia, the Southern gang.<ref name="Tracking"/>

To distinguish themselves from the agricultural workers from Northern California, Mexican Mafia (''La Eme'') members began to refer to the gang members who worked for them as ''Sureños'', a Spanish term meaning "Southerners". Inmates from Northern California who were affiliated with the ''Nuestra Familia'' became known as ''Norteños'', or "Northerners".<ref name="Criminal Street Gangs"/> Although ''Sureños'' were established in 1968, the term was not used until the 1970s as a result of the continued conflict between the Mexican Mafia and the Nuestra Familia in California's prison system.<ref name="Sampson"/> When a Sureño is asked what being a ''Sureño'' means, members answer: "A ''Sureño'' is a foot soldier for the Mexican Mafia."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.publicintelligence.net/surenosreport.pdf|last1=Vinson|first1= J.|last2= Crame|first2= J.|last3=Von Seeburg|first3=K.|work=Rocky Mountain Information Network|year=2008|title= Sureños}}</ref> As a result of these prison wars, all Hispanic California street gangs align themselves with the ''Sureño'' or ''Norteño'' movements with very few exceptions (such as the Fresno Bulldogs, and the Maravilla gangs of East Los Angeles).<ref name="Milkman & Wanberg"/> Due to its membership size, the Fresno Bulldogs is the only Hispanic gang in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that is able to remain independent.<ref name="Criminal Street Gangs"/>

==Description== ===Territory=== The ''Sureño's'' main stronghold is in southern California. They have a heavy presence in California, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and Utah. They have a smaller presence in Illinois, Oklahoma, Georgia, Oregon and Washington, and some have spread as far east as New York.<ref name="ncdoj">{{cite web|title=Gangs of North Carolina|url=http://www.ncema.net/uploads/1/5/1/5/15153412/gangs_activity_in_north_carolina.pdf|url-status=dead|access-date=September 15, 2015|work=North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ)|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923060530/http://www.ncema.net/uploads/1/5/1/5/15153412/gangs_activity_in_north_carolina.pdf}}</ref> ''Sureños'' have been documented in the U.S. military, found in both U.S. and overseas bases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.com/news/article/gangs-increasing-in-military-fbi-says.html |title=Gangs Increasing in Military, FBI Says |access-date=February 21, 2009 |author=McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |publisher=Military.com |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113055104/http://www.military.com/news/article/gangs-increasing-in-military-fbi-says.html |archive-date=November 13, 2009 }}</ref> They also can be found in some parts of Mexico. ''Sureños'' also maintain relationships with various drug trafficking organizations based in Mexico.<ref name="Sampson"/><ref name="FBI">[https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment-emerging-trends Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Gang Intelligence Center. (2011). 2011 national gang threat assessment – emerging trends. Retrieved from website:]</ref><ref name="Wormer & Bunker"/> They have been confirmed in 35 different states in the U.S.<ref name="Barkan"/> They are with the Gulf Cartel.<ref name="Gang-Drug Trafficking Organization Connections Affecting Suburban Areas"/>

The statewide north–south dividing line between ''Norteños'' and ''Sureños'' has roughly been accepted as the cities of Bakersfield and Delano.<ref name="Public Intelligence">{{cite news|author=Rocky Mountain Information Network|url = https://publicintelligence.net/ules-surenos-2008-special-gang-report/| title = Surenos 2008 Special Gang Report|work = Public Intelligence Regional information sharing systems |date=February 4, 2010 }}</ref> Sureños' strongholds in Upstate California are usually in Santa Rosa and Modesto due to a high Mexican immigrant population in those cities. ''Sureños'' in Los Angeles refer to their members in Central California as ''"Central Sureños"'' and ''Sureños'' refer to their members in northern California as ''"Upstate Sureños"''.

===Etymology and characteristics=== While ''sur'' is the Spanish word for south, among Sureños "SUR" also stands for Southern United Raza.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.policemag.com/blog/gangs/story/2010/03/sur-tattoos-and-symbols.aspx|title=Sureño Tattoos and Symbols|work=policemag.com|date=2 March 2010 |access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> ''Sureños'' use the number 13—which represents the letter "M", the thirteenth letter of the alphabet—in order to mark their allegiance to the Mexican Mafia.<ref name="Barkan"/><ref name="Sampson"/><ref name="Eways">{{cite web |last=Eways |first= A. |date=February 13, 2012 |title= Sureño gang graffiti: Understanding the art of war |website=corrections.com |url=http://www.corrections.com/news/article/29911-sureno-gang-graffiti-understanding-the-art-of-war}}</ref> Common ''Sureño'' gang markings and/or tattoos include (but are not limited to): SUR, XIII, X3, 13, Sur13, Uno Tres, Trece and three dots arranged like those on a game die.<ref name="Eways"/> Although there are many tattoos used by ''Sureños'', there is only one tattoo that proves or validates membership. The X3 tag can also be commonly spotted in graffiti. The word ''Sureño'' or ''Sureña'' must be earned.<ref name="Sampson"/> Most ''Sureños'' are of Mexican descent, but some ''Sureño'' gangs allow members from various other ethnic backgrounds to join their ranks, making ''Sureños'' multiethnic.<ref name="Sampson"/> They also favor blue or grey sport clothing, such as Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Rams and sometimes Los Angeles Lakers. Upstate Sureños, however, wear Dallas Cowboys, San Jose Sharks and Oakland Raiders clothing.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

==Criminal activity== thumb|right|Graffiti, also known as tagging, is used to mark a specific set's territory ''Sureño'' groups are involved in many aspects of criminal activity including homicide,<ref name="Milkman & Wanberg"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/120514004.html |title=Gang member's tattoo told story of 2004 murder | Local & Regional News | Bakersfield Now - News, Weather and Sports |work=bakersfieldnow.com |year=2011 |access-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-date=March 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306104605/http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/120514004.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> drug trafficking,<ref name="Milkman & Wanberg"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Squires |first=J. |date=November 5, 2010 |title=Eight sureno gang members busted during operation groundhog in watsonville already convicted, four sent to state prison |publisher=santacruzsentinel.com |url=http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_15059366 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514153953/http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_15059366 |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 14, 2010 }}</ref> kidnapping, assaults,<ref>{{cite web|last= Stribling|first= L. (Writer)|year= 2011|title= Gang member charged after stabbing girlfriend (Television series episode). In ABC News. Wilmer Minnesota: ABC|url= http://ksax.com/article/stories/s1953501.shtml|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110204115603/http://ksax.com/article/stories/s1953501.shtml|url-status= dead|archive-date= February 4, 2011}}</ref> carjackings, home invasions, and robbery.<ref name="Criminal Street Gangs"/> They are also heavily engaged in human trafficking of adults<ref name="Sampson"/> and children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksnt.com/news/7-arrested-in-connection-to-bibb-county-child-sex-trafficking-ring/|title=7 arrested in connection to Bibb County child sex trafficking ring|date=July 24, 2025}}</ref> The primary sources of income for ''Sureño'' gang members are the retail-level distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine, both within prison systems and in the community, and the extortion of drug dealers. ''Sureño'' members may also have direct associations with Mexican drug cartels, and broker deals on behalf of the Mexican Mafia and their own gangs.<ref name="Criminal Street Gangs"/>

There have been many high-profile criminal cases involving ''Sureños'' in a variety of states. Police departments have a difficult time dealing with this gang because of its decentralized hierarchy at the street level. Law enforcement attempts to limit the influence of the Mexican Mafia over the various ''Sureño'' street gangs have been met with little success. By the late 1990s, a federal task force was set up in order to investigate the gang's involvement in the illegal drug trade; this resulted in the arrest of several of its members. The authorities confiscated thousands of dollars in drugs and money, as reported by the ''Los Angeles Times'' and local news channels. The group has historically quarreled with various rival gangs for placement and competition, which has resulted in many drive-by shootings and deaths. On August 24, 2004, a law enforcement preliminary injunction terminated the active members of the 38th Street gang, out of the streets,{{clarify|date=October 2018}} banning them from using firearms, alcohol, graffiti and other dangerous materials in public.<ref name="Delgadillo">{{cite news |title=Delgadillo, Bratton, Perry Announce Crackdown on South L.A.'s 38th Street Gang |publisher=Office of Civil Attorney, L.A. |date=August 24, 2006 |url=http://www.lacity.org/atty/attypress/attyattypress6922441_08252004.pdf#search=%2238%20street%20gang%20los%20angeles%22 |access-date=June 4, 2014 |archive-date=March 23, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060323100803/http://www.lacity.org/atty/attypress/attyattypress6922441_08252004.pdf#search=%2238%20street%20gang%20los%20angeles%22 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Sureños'' have a stronghold in San Francisco's Mission District, who feud with fellow ''Sureño'' factions and ''Norteños''. ''Sureños'' have had a history of beefing with other ''Sureño'' individuals, whether it be gang in-fighting, or different ''Sureño'' cliques fighting each other. For instance, two rival ''Sureño'' gangs fighting over territorial grounds of Southwest Community Park in Santa Rosa, California, lead to the shooting death of an 18-year-old man in 2008. The neighborhood South Park is home to a portion of the city's ''Angelo Heights Sureños'', named after the Angelino Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles in which its original members came from. ''Sureños'' also have had territorial fighting in San Jose and Oakland.

In 2009, members of the ''Sureños'' were charged in the deaths of rival ''Norteño'' gang members Alvaro Garcia-Pena and Intiaz Ahmed, who were killed at Alvarado's Bar & Grill in Richmond, California. One member of the ''Sureños'' pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Other members from the Sureños gang received other sentences for their involvement in the shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://richmondconfidential.org/2012/11/29/sureno-gang-members-stand-trial-for-norteno-shooting/|title=Sureño gang members stand trial for Norteño shooting|first=Julie|last=Brown|website=richmondconfidential.org|date=29 November 2012}}</ref>

In 2010, 51 ''Sureños'' were arrested in a California narcotics sting. The investigation identified eight ''Sureño'' gangs involved in various criminal activities, including the distribution of narcotics. The investigation also resulted in the seizure of more than 19 pounds of methamphetamine, a methamphetamine conversion laboratory, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, small amounts of crack cocaine, 25 pounds of marijuana, 35 firearms, and $800,000 in currency and property. The charges against the gang members were conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, street terrorism and firearms violations.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.policemag.com/channel/gangs/news/2010/08/06/joint-investigation-results-in-the-arrest-of-51-suspected-gang-members-throughout-california-s-cent.aspx|title=51 Surenos were arrested in California Narcotics Sting. Perris MaraVilla 13 is just one of the sureno Ganga In the South Side.|website=Policemag.com|date=5 August 2010 }}</ref>

== See also == {{Portal bar|Law}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{Commons category}} * [http://gangs.umd.edu/Gangs/Surenos.aspx The University of Maryland on gangs]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Surenos}} Category:Sureños Category:Organizations established in 1967 Category:1967 establishments in California Category:Hispanic-American gangs Category:Latino street gangs Category:Gangs in California Category:Mexican-American culture in California Category:Mexican Mafia Category:Coalitions