| Founded | Early 1950's |
|---|---|
| In | El Monte, California, US |
| Years active | 1950's - Present |
| Territory | Mostly in El Monte, California and the San Gabriel Valley. |
| Ethnicity | Hispanic |
| Membership | 400[1] |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, assault, robbery, extortion, arms trafficking, theft, murder, racketeering, drive-by shootings and fraud |
| Allies | White Fence, Sureños, Mexican Mafia, Avenues |
| Rivals | Other Sureño sets, Nortenos, Nuestra Familia |
El Monte Flores, also known by the acronym EMF,[2] is a Hispanic criminal street gang in the city of El Monte, California. They are one of the largest and oldest gangs in the city. [3] Over the past 6 decades their numbers have consistently increased over the years. At present their numbers are estimated to be around 400 members in El Monte, California alone.
Contents |
El Monte Flores originally came from one gang called "El Monte" which linked all gangs from El Monte together. The original gang was called El Monte Hicks which was named after migrant camp called Hick's Camp. El Monte Flores was established near a flower nursery which is why it is named El Monte Flores.[4] Flores is Spanish for flowers.[5] Various gangs such as White Fence, El Monte Rifa, and Rowland St broke off and became separate gangs with affiliation of either the Sureños or Norteños. Many El Monte Flores members are associated with the Mexican Mafia which enlists them to carry our various orders on the streets.[6] The gang has only one click: "Tiny Midgets" or "TMS".
The original clicks are in El Monte, California, but like many gangs they have migrated to various other cities and states. A chapter has even been established in Seattle, Washington.[7] Police reports have suggested that their reach has even been seen as far as Covina, California. El Monte Flores still maintains a strong hold in their original territory.
Even though El Monte Flores are a Sureno gang and use the number 13[8] they are rivals with a variety of other Sureno gangs. Members usually tattoo the words, "Monte Flores", "El Monte F", "Flores", "EMF", "EMFxTMS" on them. XIII, X3, 13 and 3 dots are also seen with Sureño gang members. Like all Surenos once they are in prison system they set aside their rivalry and unite under the Sureno Banner and controlled by La Eme.
Southern California Chicano rap artist Shady Boy is a very well known member of El Monte Flores.[9] Chicano rap artist, Mr. Fiesty of Charlie Row Campo is also an El Monte Flores Gang member.
The El Monte Flores gang is involved in various criminal activity. Their main source of income is from the illegal sale of heroin. They are known for trafficking in illegal narcotics as well[10] They are routinely selected by the Mexican Mafia to carry out murders in the El Monte, California area. Recently the gang has become extensively involved in Trademark Counterfeiting, Piracy, and other Intellectual Property Crimes because of the low risk and high payoff.[11]