KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsOfficials say new deadly NM prison gang forming

Officials say new deadly NM prison gang forming

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Prison officials say a new prison gang has formed and it's using the University of New Mexico Lobo logo to help identify members.

Dwayne Santistevan, administrator of the Security Threat Intelligence Unit with the New Mexico Department of Corrections, says "Los Burquenos," or the 'Burqe Boys, are challenging for control of state prisons.

Santistevan says the gang charges inmates rent and tit will likely grow outside of prison into various cities and towns.

They are identified by tattoos of Albuquerque's downtown skyline, the image of the Albuquerque Duke, the Zia sun symbol and the UNM Lobo logo.

Officials say the group is made up of members from different street gangs.

Prison officials said there are 240 members of Los Burquenos statewide, an increase from 170 members last year.