More El Paso Gang Members Arrested for Violent Crimes

by Michael Webster: Investigative Reporter June 30,warrants."
2008 11:00 A.M. PDTAmong those arrested was Elbert Mullin, living in El
EL PASO/JUAREZ METRO-BORDERPLEX:Paso and Juarez, an alleged member of the ruthless
Dangerous gang members arrested along with overGeorgia Boys gang, whom are connected to the
200 others who were wanted for violent crimes inGangster Disciples, U.S. Marshals Service supervisory
Operation Falcon 08. This massive effort was lead bydeputy Gerry Payan said.
the U.S. Marshals Service intended to catch peopleThe Gangster Disciples, which was created in south
wanted on warrants for violent crimes, sex offensesChicago in the 1960s, is one of the largest street gangs
and other felonies.in the nation. The round up included a total of 12
At the same time another massive law enforcementsuspected members of various other El Paso gangs.
operation targeting violent street gangs in Los AngelesThe Georgia Boys have been linked to El Paso's
was taking place. Seventy members and associatesBarrio Azteca Gang One Of The Most
of the Drew Street clique of the Avenues street gangDangerous In Nation, MS-13 and other U.S. and
have been named in a federal racketeering indictment.Mexican gangs and are believed to have penetrated
The leadership of the Drew Street gang - notablythe U.S. Army and become soldiers at Fort Bliss,
"shot-caller" Francisco "Pancho" Real, who is the leadaccording to a U.S. Army Criminal Investigation
defendant in the indictment - collects "taxes" fromCommand report in 2006 about gang activity in the
those who sell narcotics in the neighborhood, accordingmilitary.
to the indictment. A portion of the taxes is then paid byThe Army investigation reported that in 2006, four
gang leaders to the Mexican Mafia. Drew Street gangsoldiers believed to be associated with the Georgia
members also raise funds for the Mexican Mafia byBoys assaulted and robbed two soldiers in a parking
conducting armed home-invasion robberies andlot on post. The report was said to be law
collecting extortion payments from area businesses.enforcement sensitive. Two of the soldiers in the
The Mexican Mafia allegedly authorized Franciscorobbery were court-martialed and found guilty. The
Real to take control of the Drew Street clique lessother two were found guilty of violating Army
than a year ago.regulations. Many government and other investigators
Many of the U.S street gangs are believed acting asbelieve there is gang members in the army and some
enforcers for the Mexican drug cartels and theirwho are active in El Paso are stationed at Ft. Bliss and
Mexican gang surrogates. Federal law enforcementare involved extensively in narcotics-trafficking activity,
across America is clamping down on this type ofmurders on both sides of the U.S. Mexican border, and
national and international organized crime activityare operating with other gang members in El Paso and
perpetrated by these out of control street gangs. Thedrug cartels and their gangs in Juarez Mexico.
LA Rico case alleges extensive narcotics-traffickingMullin, 28, was allegedly in possession of a handgun
activity, murders, and attempted murders of police,when he was captured on two prior counts of
extortion and witness tampering by these gangunlawful possession of a firearm and other charges,
members.Payan said. It is believed that Mullin and other gang
U.S. Marshals Service officials said the arrests in Elmembers on the border have ties to the U.S. and
Paso began in the pre-dawn hours to catch theMexican military. The El Paso Journal has been told by
wanted subjects off balance. The arrests werea reliable source, which insists on remaining nameless
conducted by an 80 officer task force from variousbut has indicated that there is a federal task force
federal, state and local agencies organized into 10operating both inside the military and out side
teams.investigating the relationship between the U.S. armed
"We measure success one fugitive at a time,"forces and American and Mexican gangs.
LaFayette Collins, U.S. Marshal for the Western DistrictDuring the course of the L.A. investigation, authorities
of Texas, said in a statement. "Any time we remove aseized multiple firearms, including 7 guns that were
sexual predator, gang member, or other violent felon,discovered during this morning's operation. Members of
that street, a neighborhood and a community becamethe Drew Street gang obtained guns from a number
a little safer."of sources, one of whom was bringing firearms from
The El Paso times reported today that "OperationArizona, which they used in relation to various crimes,
Falcon," (which stands for Federal And Local Copsaccording to the indictment.
Organized Nationally), is an effort that has taken placeSources: U.S. Marshals Service, Border Patrol, Health
in different cities throughout the United States in recentand Human Services Office of the Inspector General,
years but had not in El Paso since 2006. The effortthe FBI, DEA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
included the work of El Paso police, sheriff's deputiesFirearms and Explosives, U.S. Probation, Texas
and several state and federal agencies.Department of Public Safety, Texas Alcoholic
"We participate in many initiatives and this is one ofBeverage Commission, Texas Office of the Inspector
them," El Paso County Sheriff Jimmy Apodaca said.General, El Paso County Sheriff's Office, El Paso
"We do this to make sure El Paso is a better andPolice Department and El Paso County Constable
safer place to live by going after people wanted onPrecinct 5. LAPD, CHP, L.A. County Sheriff's Office.