La Raza Nation (LRZ) is a criminal group operating in the United States . It was founded in 1972. Grouping colors are green, white and red (just like the Mexican flag ). Gang symbols include the Mexican flag, a cross, and a six-pointed star.
| La Raza Nation | |
|---|---|
| Founded | |
| Home base | Chicago, Illinois  USA |
| Years of activity | 1972 - present |
| Territory | Illinois , Ohio , Wisconsin and some southern US cities |
| Ethnic composition | Mexicans |
| Membership | about 11,000 |
| Criminal activity | Drug trade |
| Allies | Latin Eagles , Crips , Folk Nation |
| Opponents | Latin Kings , Almighty Saints , Black P. Stones , Vatos Locos , 38th Street Gang , People Nation . |
Relations with other gangs
Although La Raza is part of the gangster system Folk Nation , the group has fought with many other ethnic gangs. The main opponents of La Raza Nation are local rivals such as Latin Kings , Black P. Stones and Almighty Saints .
Activities in Chicago and Beyond
La Raza’s activities are not limited to the Chicago area where the gang was created. La Raza is active in New York. A 1996 police report noted that La Raza is a rival of the Gran Familia Mexicana (Federation of Mexican Gangs in New York).
Between 2001 and 2003, La Raza participated in the war with the gang of Vatos Locos. In the end, 12 members of Vatos Locos were accused of conspiring to assassinate 4 leaders of a rival gang. Among others, one leader of Vatos Locos was sentenced to 151 years in prison for conspiracy.
In April 2005, 19 people suspected of participating in the La Raza gang were arrested by federal and local law enforcement in Naples , Florida. Officials estimated the size of the gang at about 100 people and noted that the detainees had been in Naples since at least 1996.
In July 2005, La Raza was added to the list of 54 violent street gangs by the Immigration Service. For two weeks, an operation against the gang took place throughout the country
Local officers from Gynnett County also noted the presence of La Raza members on their territory. Immigration officials arrested La Raza members in Atlanta.
In 2005, a report prepared by the US Department of Justice noted the presence of La Raza in the western United States, but indicated a low level of activity. In total, about 17 percent of law enforcement officers interviewed throughout the country reported having La Raza in their territory. Just over 6 percent of employees reported moderate to high La Raza activities.
In a 2006 report, the Justice Assistance Bureau noted La Raza in Arizona, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia.
In 2008, the presence of La Raza was recorded in Woches County, Wisconsin. The group was in conflict with the gang of 38th Street. Wisconsin also documented that La Raza is involved in cocaine trafficking in the Sheboygan area .