Thursday 28 November 2013

Eighteen gang members detained in El Salvador, sought for 15 killings

Authorities in El Salvador arrested on 27 November 18 suspected members of Mara Salvatrucha (MS), one of the countrys' main criminal gangs, sought for their presumed role in "around" 15 homicides and four attempted murders between 2010 and 2012, media reported. The suspects, who were to be charged for a range of activities including extortion, were detained in raids in three districts of La Libertad department in central El Salvador, elsalvador.com reported. The website cited specific killing incidents attributed to the detained; 14 other Mara gangsters already being held in prison and thought linked to the activities of the 18 were to face more charges relating to these arrests including criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of arms, misuse of police uniforms, etc.. Police said the 18 were active in the localities of Sacacoyo, Jayaque and Cantón Ateos in La Libertad, and belonged to several MS sub-structures with intimidating names like Llanos Verdes Locos Salvatruchos, Chiltiupanes Salvatruchos and Ateos Locos Salvatruchos.