MS-13 reaches Canada

[Robert Bandanza]

Notorious gang now in Calgary

By SARAH KENNEDY, SUN MEDIA

CALGARY -- Members of one of North America's most violent and notorious gangs have taken up residence in Calgary, Sun Media has learned.

The hispanic Mara Salvatrucha gang, whose vicious crime sprees have gripped Central American cities, as well as Los Angeles and New York, also now has a presence in Calgary, say police.

But so far they have kept a low profile in the city, said Sgt. Gavin Walker of the gang unit.

"There are indications ... that there may be some members in the city but so far we haven't been able to link them to any particular crimes in Calgary," he said.

Walker said last August a suspected member of the Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13 was deported from Calgary. The gang unit is keeping close tabs on remaining members living in the city.

And that is exactly what Calgary cops should be doing, says Los Angeles Police Department's Det. Frank Flores, who has been actively battling the MS-13 presence in his city for about seven years.

"Nip it in the bud in the beginning," he said. "They mask themselves in the hispanic community and they are mistakenly viewed as a minor presence but by the time they become well known they are well entrenched."

Flores, who is the LAPD's expert on MS-13, said they are currently one of the most violent gangs in the world.

"They've been involved in dozens and dozens of murders in L.A. over the last few years."

It's believed there's about 50,000 members in Central America and dozens living in both Toronto and Vancouver.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Albe...90793-sun.html