Dangerous gang getting organized?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Reports out today say the dangerous Central American gang MS 13 may be making a move to unify its members under one leader.

Considered highly organized, MS-13 is described by the FBI more a criminal enterprise operation than street gang.

In some parts they are divided by specialty: homicide, robbery, extortion and counter-surveillance.

"We have identified operatives that have been sent into North Carolina as advisers to help some of the newer cliques organize and improve their criminal activity," said FBI Assistant Special Agent In Charge Robert Clifford.

In a confidential letter from the Southern District of Illinois’ U.S. Attorney’s Office obtained by “The Washington Times," federal law enforcement officials are quoted as saying: "MS-13 is attempting to become a unified criminal enterprise operating under one leadership. It would be dangerous to look at MS-13 as just another street gang.

"We estimate between 8,000 and 10,000 MS-13 members in this country, about 50,000 in this hemisphere. Attempts to organize nationally have been limited to date. Is the potential there? Certainly."

But for now, Clifford believes such reports are "a bit exaggerated."

Still, the serious potential violent threat the group poses here is real.

"Their focus,” Clifford said, “… their reason to be is to make money and to spread fear."

MS-13 primarily targets the Latino community in urban and rural areas of both North and South Carolina, specifically illegal aliens who fear deportation and as a result often don’t report the crimes.