S. (MS-13, 2012). More specifically, the gang's code is: "First is God, then your mother, then your gang. You live for God, you live for your mother, you die for your gang" (Lineberger & Padgett, 2011, p. 188).

Prison where gang is strongest and weakest (geographically). The State of California in general and the Los Angeles region in particular (MS-13, 2012).

Recent trends in membership. The gang's membership has swelled in recent years to the point where it has been designated as transnational criminal organization (Lineberger & Padgett, 2011). According to these analysts, "In 2008, the FBI reported that MS-13 -- 1abeled America's most dangerous gang --was operating in at least 42 states ... And ha[d] about 6,000 to 10,000 members nationwide." Currently, there are over 60,000 MS-13 members located in ten different nations, across two continents" (2011, p. 188).

Types of criminal activities that the gang is involved in...
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