E-Newsletter Online Quick-Poll Results: Results of the PATC Quick-Poll's do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Public Agency Training Council, its' employees or affiliates.

Survey name: Have You Seen This Tattoo?
Poll Release: August 2007 Week #5

We asked PATC E-Newsletter subscribers to pool their resources to help the NGIC (National Gang Intelligence Center) determine the significance (if any) of a certain tattoo. At the time of the survey, the only known information regarding it is that it was on a Cuban coming across the border in Laredo, Texas. A second Cuban with a similar tattoo was processed at a different port about 100 miles apart.

The combined results can be summerized with the following responses:

Response from DOC & Correctional Guards
Information I received from contacts employed with Department of Corrections, Guards, indicate that they thought the three creatures, Scorpion, Spider, and Ant make up the body of the creature and refer to MS-13, the number of squares going up the tail indicates the number of kills claimed by the person with the tattoo, and the scythe or axe that is presented as the tail is an executioner’s axe. Could be an “enforcer/assassin” badge. Inmates generally refused to speak about it, claiming they didn’t want any trouble or to be fingered as informants. Those who would speak mentioned MS-13.

Texas DPS Criminal Intelligence Section based on information returned from BORFIC
The Border Patrol Field Intelligence Center (BORFIC) report dated August 11 – 17, 2007, provided information in reference to an arrest of a former KAIBIL Soldier. On August 11, Brownsville Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) arrested a group of seven (7) illegal aliens which included a Guatemalan subject, identified as HUGO HAROLDO TUT-RAX approximately two miles east of the Gateway International Port of Entry in Brownsville. An interview of TUT-RAX revealed that he had served in the Guatemalan Army and had received KAIBIL training. TUT-RAX had a tattoo of a scorpion on his right shoulder and a tattoo of an eagle on his right forearm, both of which he tried to erase by burning them with a hot knife. He claimed that initially he did not want to get the tattoos, but he decided to get them because other KAIBILIES had them.

Response from a Special Agent: Drug Enforcement Section-Gang Unit
The tattoo of a “scorpion” typically indicates a contract killer or enforcer. This is seen usually with Hispanic(Cuban in this case ) street gangs. We are seeing a trend for the gang members to get away from the traditional “187” tattoos that indicated that they have either participated in a homicide, committed a homicide or ordered a homicide because they are now figuring out that we understand and the tattoo’s are changing. For this tattoo to be so large it is a very important part of this members lifestyle. Most likely this individuale is a contract killer/enforcer that is assisting or fulfilling a contract for one of the cartels in Mexico. Either the Gulf Cartel or the Sinaloa Cartel. One of the most active leaders for the cartel is “Chapo Guzman……..

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Response from an Indiana High School student:
5 legs = 5 star, represents 5 traits (such as loyalty, allegiance, honor)
OG in the tail = original member
GD in tail = Gangsta Disciples
Only Hispanics/Blacks allowed in the gang

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The following excerpt is from the daily brief describes a Guatemalan KAIBIL appended in Brownsville who has a scorpion tattoo.

The Border Patrol Field Intelligence Center (BORFIC) report dated August 11 – 17, 2007, provided information in reference to an arrest of a former KAIBIL Soldier. On August 11, Brownsville Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) arrested a group of seven (7) illegal aliens which included a Guatemalan subject, identified as HUGO HAROLDO TUT-RAX approximately two miles east of the Gateway International Port of Entry in Brownsville. An interview of TUT-RAX revealed that he had served in the Guatemalan Army and had received KAIBIL training. TUT-RAX had a tattoo of a scorpion on his right shoulder and a tattoo of an eagle on his right forearm, both of which he tried to erase by burning them with a hot knife. He claimed that initially he did not want to get the tattoos, but he decided to get them because other KAIBILIES had them.

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Response from one "versed in most areas of the Occult"

I am willing to bet that the Scorpion tattoos on the Cuban Men are indicative of their involvement with or in Santeria--a religion with similarities to Voodoo.

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Response from an investigator from a city in Louisiana:

I have not seen the tattoo in the context of criminal gang members, however I did some research and got some decent information at www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoos-designs-symbols-scorpio.htm. This site has a tattoo that looks very similar to the one briefed by your agency. It is definitely a tribal-design tattoo (as opposed to straight art or other form of stylization). I noticed that the stinger looks a great deal like the blade of a battle axe. There are 9 segments to the tail (before the stinger)…is there anything in Cuban gang-lore, or other gang elements, with the significance of the number 9”

I also went on several Spanish-language websites about tattoos, and these sites included information which I include below, but none named a specific group, gang or organization which used the scorpion as a unique logo.

As a zodiac sign (Cubans may have some quasi-religious beliefs, such as Santaria), the scorpion is associated with “regeneration, occult studies, hidden issues, mysticism, death and sex.” Also represented are: focus, individuality and determination.

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From Subscriber in Illinois

One man from the Postal Inspectors office retuned the message with information that he arrested a couple people who were of Philippine descent, and members of a Philippine gang called the "Red Scorpions".

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From multiple sources:

This tattoo is of what we call an "alacran" in spanish, better known as a scorpion. This tattoo looks like a tribal scorpion. The scorpion symbolizes the state of Durango. Durango is known for its association of gangs and drugs.

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