Ramos estimates there are about 100 Mexican gang members in Queens, and more in other boroughs. Most of them live in a completely Mexican world: they live with other Mexicans, hang out with Mexicans, and attack Mexicans.

"They only rob Mexicans, not Americans," says Noeh, a Mexican teen who lives in the Travieso gang territory. "They know Americans would get mad and turn them in to the police." Mexican victims, Ramos says, are less likely to file police complaints because in most cases, they themselves are illegal immigrants.

PHOTO: FRANZISKA BRUNER Cachondo Gang Graffiti in Corona, Queens

Queens gang members usually spend their days stealing and selling fake green cards in the street, Ramos says. At night, they cruise Mexican nightclubs, fighting with other gangs and listening to DJs called sonideros.

Most of them are about 19 years old, but Ramos says he has arrested some as young as 15.



Unlike the Latin Kings or Los Angeles gangsters, most don't dress in a special gang style or wear colored beads. They rarely carry guns, preferring to fight with box cutters and filed-down screwdrivers.

But even doctored household tools can kill. In his six years with the gang unit, Ramos has seen occasional homicides between rival gangs.

"It's terrible...they go to Mexican clubs and kill each other," said Mexican teen Adan Zanes. "I don't know why. We are all the same."

MORE GANG FACTS:

Gang Turfs:

Corona, Queens: Sombra Negra (Black Shadow), Cachondos (Horny Boys), Carnalitos (Little Homeboys)

Elmhurst, Queens: M-18, Vatos Locos (Crazy Gangsters), Chemocks

Woodside, Queens: Pitufos (Smurfs)

Sunset Park, Brooklyn: Sons of Mexico, Wild Chicanos, TMB, Esquadron (The Squadron), Niños Malos (Bad Boys)

Upper West Side, Manhattan: Traviesos (Trouble Makers)

South Bronx: Cholos del Bronx (Bronx Gangsters)

PHOTO: Franziska Bruner M-18 gang graffiti in Corona, Queens. Initiation rituals: Most common: (allegedly used by Cachondos) - getting "jumped in", or beat in to the gang. Two to four people will beat up the inductee for about a minute. Allegedly used by Pitufos: Inductee must tattoo the name of the gang onto his body. Or, some gangs make initiates beat someone else up, Ramos says.

Are there girls in the gangs?

Yes, Ramos says, but very few. A look through a book of gang mug shots in Queens revealed only a few girls. Ramos estimates there are about 10 female gangsters in Queens.

Solitos in New York

Immigration Blues

School Dreams

Gangs on the Rise

 

GANG STYLE

Gang Members' Favorite Tattoos:

The gang's name tattooed on the space between the thumb and forefinger.

Tattoos that say "mi vida loca" or "my crazy life", often in Old English letters.

Three little dots, allegedly gang semaphore for "mi vida loca".

Tattoos with La Virgin de Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. (This tattoo is also popular with non-gang members.)

Spider web tattoos-Ramos says in some places, this tattoo denotes its wearer has killed someone, but this may be apocryphal.

PHOTOS: AP / PHOTOCOLLAGE: FRANZISKA BRUNER Gang tattoos are often found on hands, stomachs, backs and arms and often display the gang's name.

Style of Dress:

In California, Mexicans gangs have a style of their own. Some shave their heads and wear Pendleton wool shirts buttoned only at the top. Others pull their socks up high and wear hairnets. In New York, gang members don't look too different from other illegal Mexican teens. A lot of them wear really baggy bellbottom-style pants, resembling raver fashion of the early 90's. Some use raver-esque giant wallet chains.

SOURCE: Detective Rafael Ramos, NYPD