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Federal Bureau of Investigation Federal Bureau of Investigation

Photo Gallery

Violent Gangs Gallery

FBI SWAT team member and MS-13 suspects in custody

Suspected MS-13 gang members are arrested. The FBI has been placing more and more resources on the front lines of the MS-13 problem.

A tattooed MS-13 suspect in handcuffs

An MS-13 suspect bearing gang tattoos is handcuffed. In 2004, the FBI created the MS-13 National Gang Task Force. A year later, the FBI helped create the National Gang Intelligence Center.

MS-13 suspects in custody

MS-13 suspects in custody. Gangs are active or have a presence in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

A Cincinnati, Ohio building with gang graffiti

Gang tags in Cincinnati. There are some 800,000 members in an estimated 30,000 gangs in the U.S., according to U. S. Department of Justice figures.

Suspected Gang Member with Words “Thug / Life” Tatooed Across Knuckles

Words tell the story of a suspected gang member. The sale and distribution of drugs is the principal source of revenue for gang members.

Word “Bubba” Tattooed Inside Suspected Gang Member’s Mouth

A suspected gang member wears his tattoo discreetly. General gang trends show that gang members continue to expand their criminal activities into smaller U.S. communities.