Mexico Screening for Criminals in latest Migrant caravan; Salvadoran Gang Member wanted in Murder is Nabbed
Mexican officials say they're actively screening for criminals and gang members in the latest migrant caravan to head north toward America — and apprehended an 18th Street gang member from El Salvador in Tapachula, who was traveling with the caravan.
The gang member was identified as Amílcar Orlando “N,” and was caught by the Chiapas prosecutor’s office with the aid of El Salvador’s government, officials confirmed to Fox News. Tapachula is a city in the far southwest of the state of Chiapas in Mexico near the Guatemalan border.
He is wanted on charges of AGGRAVATED MURDER, KIDNAPPING, EXTORTION, gang membership and drug possession. He tried to sneak in as a migrant along with the caravan, is being deported.
The two main street gangs of El Salvador, 18th Street and MS-13, are estimated to number around 70,000, and actively try to recruit new members.
The gangs trace their origins to street life in cities such as Los Angeles, where many Salvadorans sought refuge during their country’s 1980-92 civil war.
Some crime experts said today’s gangs have ties to international drug trafficking networks. President Trump frequently seizes on MS-13 as a reason to tighten immigration controls.
Mexico screening for criminals in latest migrant caravan; Salvadoran gang member wanted in murder is nabbed