The imprisoned Mexican Mafia kingpin accused of calling the shots for Southern California’s sprawling “gang of gangs” oversaw everything from drug dealing and kidnappings to murder from his cell nearly 200 miles away, federal prosecutors say.
Convicted murdererLuis Cardenas, 48, a.k.a. “Gangster,”pulled the strings for the most powerful prison gang in the US by using an encrypted messaging app on smuggled cellphones to direct high-ranking associates on the streets, authorities revealed.
The Mexican Mafia’s “tentacles extend from state prison into our county jails and on through the streets,” saidfederal prosecutor Bill Essayli, who added that Cardenas ran “Latino street gangsand drug dealers in Santa, Ana, Anaheim, Fullerton and elsewhere.”
“Gangster” — who also goes by “G,” “Pops” and “Tio” — ruled the streets with an iron fist from his perch at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, Calif., according to prosecutors.
Using smuggled cellphones, he issued orders to gang members to commit crimes across Orange County, including drug dealing, illegal gambling and extortion, investigators said.
“Victims who had the misfortune of being in bad standing with Cardenas ran the risk of having him command orders to kidnap and assault them out in the streets,” Essayli said.
The convicted killer would also direct the movement of cash and gang tax collections, issuing threats of violence and ordering his associates to kidnap and kill, Essayli added.
Despite currently serving 25 years to life in prison, Cardenas allegedly found ways to communicate with his lieutenants on the street.
Mexican Mafia leaders often get illegal cellphones through prison workers who are offered money to sneak them in, Essayli said. In other cases, delivery people may throw phones over prison walls.
Formed in 1957, the Mexican Mafia is a confederation of street gangs that coordinates narcotics trafficking and other illegal activities.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
