Sinister web of Mexican Mafia leader unravels after massive FBI bust — with kingpin ‘Gangster’ at the helm

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 murderer Luis 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,” said federal prosecutor Bill Essayli, who added that Cardenas ran “Latino street gangs and 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.

The Mafia serves as a liaison between local gangs and Mexican drug cartels, collecting taxes on the illegal drug trade and settling issues of territory and other disputes.

Its membership is small, with some estimates putting it at fewer than 200 people. But each member controls vast territory within the prisons and on the streets.

“It is a very powerful position, and there are very few of them, but they exert in a tremendous amount of control,” Essayli said. “One person will control their entire area.”

Cardenas controlled Orange County, officials say. When his affiliates were busted on the street this week, police seized guns, drugs and cash. They were charged with murder and kidnapping, among other crimes.

Although he is already in jail, Cardenas was hit Thursday with fresh federal charges for racketeering and conspiracy.  

“He’s going to be moved from a state prison to a federal prison, probably a maximum security prison, where it will hopefully be harder for him to find a cellphone,” Essayli said.

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