Los Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos the little-known gang, whose name translates as Brotherhood of Latin Gunmen, seems to be breaking into the big time. A federal indictment accuses 24 members and associates of operating a smuggling ring that sneaked bulk amounts of cocaine and millions of dollars between Mexico, the border city of Laredo and Houston.Despite its ties to Mexico's major drug-trafficking cartels, the organization known as HPL hasn't captured the public's attention like the Texas Syndicate or the Mexican Mafia, officials said Monday."They are lower on the radar, but they have always been there," said Victor Gonzalez, director of program services for the Houston mayor's anti-gang office. "They have a tendency to roll on their own."HPL gangsters are known for such peculiarities as having life-size tattoos of handguns inked onto their waists so when they remove their shirts the marks resemble weapons sticking out of their pants.All members are either in prison or have served time.Although 21 people were arrested in a series of raids that started at sunrise Friday, three men remained on the run Monday, with federal agents and police scouring their known haunts, from here to the Rio Grande."We're doing everything possible to locate them throughout the state of Texas, other states and even across the border in Mexico," FBI spokeswoman Pat Villafranca said. "We're knocking on doors and asking questions, so the word is out."
Eric Lee Rodriguez, who marked his 36th birthday Monday, is believed to be near Corpus Christi. Terrance Dale Robinson, 40, is believed to be in Houston.The other fugitive is Juan Manuel Hernandez, 33, who federal agents thought was in Houston, but came up empty Friday after surrounding a home with a SWAT team.Missing Hernandez wasn't an embarrassment to agents, but is part of doing business when it comes to rounding up so many people in one day, Villafranca said.
Although the arrests show authorities are going after the HPL, the action isn't likely to significantly disrupt the group.
"The thing is, they are getting caught, which is the good part," said Sig Sanchez, head of the gang department for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
"It sends a message," Sanchez said of the arrests. "If we catch you, you are going back to jail."
Prison gangs are different than a street gang, as their organizations were born behind bars and are established for the long term, Sanchez said.
The HPL runs, in many ways, like the Mexican Mafia, as it has its constitution, traditions and requires a lifetime commitment.
