It is an established criminal gang that is continuously involved in this sort of activity," said Rik Ferguson, senior security advisor at Trend Micro.

Originally, the gang's main purpose was to protect Salvadoran immigrants from other, more established gangs of Los Angeles, who were predominantly composed of Mexicans and African-Americans.

Some Mexican gangs have formed because members were victims of other established gangs in the area, especially the Bloods.

Well, if they couldn't join an established gang, like the Tomahawks or Jolly Stompers, the boys would have to form their own crews and cliques.

Individual poachers now get approximately $800 per tiger, but those associated with well known established gangs can receive up to $5,000 per body received.

Rebus helps a traumatised Bosnian prostitute and tries to intercede in a territory war between gangster Tommy Telford and 'Big Ger' Cafferty's established gang.

The Purples soon became hijackers and gained a reputation for stealing the booze cargoes of the older and more established gangs.

Members of Born to Kill have challenged the authority of established gangs and have terrorized Chinatown residents, law-enforcement officials said.

While many have adopted the rules, rituals and violent street code of established national gangs, most operate independently.

Detective McConville said the suspects were members of Born to Kill, a violent Vietnamese gang that has increasingly encroached on the territory of established Chinese gangs.