Latin Kings

The Latin Kings started out as a social organization for the advancement of the Puerto Rican community in the Chicago area in the 1940s. The organization spread nationally, and by the 1970s it came to be dominated by individuals engaged in criminal activity, in particular, narcotics trafficking.

Related Topics:
Chicago - 1940s - 1970s - Narcotics trafficking

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Members of the Latin Kings may identify themselves with the colors gold, maroon and/or black, the five pointed star or the initials ALKN (Almighty Latin King Nation). Some have tattoos of royal crowns (a common symbol for the gang) on their bodies.

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Today, the Latin Kings is associated with the People Nation set and is one of the most violent street gangs in the United States. The Chicago Crime Commission estimates that there are over 20,000 Latin Kings in the Chicago area alone. Latin Kings are also found on the East Coast, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and South America, while a group has started operating in Madrid, Spain.

Related Topics:
People Nation - Gang

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