List of gangs in Belize

The following is a list of collective or corporate entities involved in organised crime in Belize, including street gangs, drug cartels, mafias, criminal enterprises, and criminal syndicates. This list includes both known or suspected and active or defunct entities. Tongs, outlaw motorcycle clubs, as well as terrorist, militant, and paramilitary groups are included only if involved in organised crime. Entities not based in Belize are included only if they are known to have or suspected of having members, chapters, or operations in Belize.[n 1]

Gangs

Bloods and Crips gangs were introduced to Belize by US deportees in the 1980s, and especially adopted by locals upon the 1988 release of Colors.[1] A boom in violent and organised crime followed, not yet mitigated by the 2020s.[n 2] As of 2019, there were at least three dozen gangs in Belize City, each loosely affiliated to Bloods or Crips, totalling some 900 to 1,400 members.[n 3]

Name AffBaseSize AgeNoState Cf
Gill StreetGill Street BloodsBloods South Minor 24.0 25 Active [2]
Kraal StreetKraal Road CripsCrips South Minor 26.5 25 Active [3]
Taylor's AlleyTaylor's Alley Crips, Taylor's Alley Bloods, West Molan Bloods? North Major 23.5 35 Active [4]
Supal RoadSupal Road Gang, Supal Street Gang, Supal Street Crips, Supal Street Bloods? South Minor 26.0 35 Active [5]
EuphratesEuphrates BloodsBloods South Minor N/aN/a? [6]
Wagner's Lane ? South Minor N/aN/a? [7]
Rocky RoadRocky Road Gang, Rocky Road Crips, Rocky Road Bloods? South Minor 26.0 18 Active [8]
Pinks Alley ? North Minor N/aN/a? [9]
NeighbourhoodNeighbourhood BloodsBloods South Minor N/aN/a? [10]
Kick Down Fence ? South Minor N/aN/a? [11]
George StreetGSG, George Street Gang, George Street Bloods, Plum Street, Devon Bailey Area, George Street Gaza GangBloods South Major 31.5 45 Active [n 4]
Victoria StreetVictoria Street BloodsBloods North Minor 26.0 27 Active [12]
Pickstock StreetPickstock Hutment CripsCrips North Minor N/aN/aActive [13]
Kelly StreetKelly Street CripsCrips North Minor 26.0 25 Active [14]
Back-a-TownBack-a-Town Bloods, Back-a-Town Crips? South Minor 29.5 25 Active [15]
Ghost TownGhost Town Crips, Banak Street, Mayflower Street, Banak Crips, Banak Zone GangCrips South Minor 28.0 65 Active [16]
Raiders ? South Minor N/aN/a? [17]
Amara StreetAmara Street Bloods, Amara BloodsBloods South Minor 24.5 23 Active [18]
JerusalemJerusalem Gang, Jerusalem Bloods, Jerusalem Crips? South Minor 28.5 13 Active [19]
TrappTrapp BloodsBloods North Minor N/aN/a? [20]
PIVPeace in the Village Bloods, Peace in the Valley Bloods, St Thomas PIVBloods South Major 26.0 150 Active [n 5]
Jane UsherJane Usher BloodsBloods South Minor 26.0 40 Active [21]
SouthsideSouthside Gang, South Side Gang, Southside Gangsters, Southside CripsCrips South Major 26.0 95 Active [n 6]
SunsetSunset CripsCrips South Minor 24.5 13 Active [22]
Majestic AlleyMajestic Alley CripsCrips North Major 28.5 38 Active [23]
Pregnant AlleyPregnant Alley Gang? ? Major N/aN/a? [n 7]
Brick CityBrick City Gang? ? Minor N/aN/a? [24]
Back-a-LandBLC, Back-a-Land CripsCrips South Major 29.5 25 Active [25]
Conch ShellConch Shell Bloods, Conch Shell Bay Bloods, Lauriano BloodsBloods South Minor 24.5 28 Active [26]
Jump StreetJump Street Gang, Jump Street CripsCrips South Minor 27.0 25 Active [27]
123rd123rd Gang? South Minor N/aN/aActive [28]
AfghanistanAfghanistan Gang, Afghanistan BloodsBloods South Minor 24.5 13 Active [29]
Gaza New GenerationGaza New Generation BloodsBloods South Major 15.0 80 Active [n 8]
JungleJungle BloodsBloods ? Minor 26.0 30 Active [30]
Louise BevansLouise Bevans Crips, Louise Bevins Crips, Freedom StreetCrips South Minor 24.5 35 Active [31]
Antelope StreetAntelope Street Bloods, Antelope Extension Bloods, Antelope Crew, Crenshaw BloodsBloods South Minor 27.0 28 Active [32]
Lacroix BoulevardLacroix Boulevard BloodsBloods ? Minor 25.5 28 Active [33]
Police StreetPolice Street CripsCrips ? Minor 26.0 30 Active [34]
Plum TreePlum Tree BloodsBloods ? Minor 24.5 23 Active [35]
Kings ParkKings Park CripsCrips ? Minor 29.0 18 Active [36]
103 New Road103 New Road BloodsBloods North Minor 21.0 18 Active [37]
Riverside Boys ? ? Minor 16.0 18 Active [38]
102102 Crips, Parham CripsCrips ? Minor 26.5 13 Active [39]
BelamaBelama Bloods, Riverside BloodsBloods ? Minor 25.0 13 Active [40]
Simon Lamb StreetSimon Lamb Street CripsCrips ? Minor 27.5 13 Active [41]
Neals Penn RoadNeals Penn Road Bloods, Gaza BloodsBloods ? Minor 25.0 13 Active [42]
Horse and CarriageHorse and Carriage BloodsBloods ? Minor 23.5 13 Active [43]
Brian Brown FactionBrian Brown Crew? South Minor N/aN/aActive [44]
Nurse Finley FactionNurse Finley Faction Gang? ? Minor N/aN/aActive [45]
GenasideGenaside Gang? ? Minor N/aN/aActive [46]
T Street FactionT Street Faction Gang? ? Minor N/aN/aActive [47]

George Street

George Street
Foundedca late 1980s
FounderHeathcliff Reyes
Founding locationGeorge Street, Belize City, Belize
Territoryca 138 acres about George Street (2018)
Membership (est.)40–50 (2018); up to 150 (2019)
Leaders
List
  • Heathcliff Reyes
  • Lyndon Tunan Arnold
  • Sheldon Pinky Tillett
  • Gerald Shiny Tillett Sr
Rivals
List

George Street are a Bloods-affiliated street gang in Southside Belize City, allegedly formed in the late 1980s by US deportee Heathcliff Reyes to oppose the concurrently formed Majestic Alley (Crips).[n 9] They (with Majestic Alley) are thought to be the country's earliest gangs.[48] They initially claimed all the Southside as their base of operations.[49] Their alleged 1992 murder of Derek Itza Brown (Majestic Alley leader) is thought to have kicked off gang warfare in Belize.[50]

The 2000s saw Heathcliff shot dead by police,[48] the rise to prominence of the Tillett family in the gang,[48] and a bitter rivalry with the neighbouring Taylor's Alley (Bloods) which bled into the 2010s.[48] The late 2000s is thought to have been a boon to the gang, allegedly culminating in successful hits against leaders of rival gangs (Southside, Brick City, Ghost Town) in 2010.[51] In 2011, they joined a government-mediated gang truce, which is thought to have come undone partially due to the 2012 killing of their then-leader, Sheldon Pinky Tillett, allegedly by Taylor's Alley.[52]

In late 2018, their (with PIV's, Back a Land's, Southside's) gang territory was estimated as amongst the largest (of 36) in the country.[53] Their numbers were estimated at 40 to 50,[54] with a mean age of 32 (the only gang whose members' average age was in the 30s, rather than 20s or teens).[55] In 2019, they were deemed "the most powerful [of 24 gangs]" given their membership ("up to 150 gang members") and organisation ("well developed internal informal hierarchies").[56]

In 2021, they (with PIV, Southside, Gaza New Generation) were considered amongst the largest gangs (of "over 40") in the country.[57]

Majestic Alley

Majestic Alley
Foundedca late 1980s
FounderFredrick Diggy Dap Lynch
Founding locationMajestic Alley, Belize City, Belize
Territoryca 11 acres about Majestic Alley (2018)
Membership (est.)25–50 (2018)
Leaders
List
  • Fredrick Diggy Dap Lynch
  • Derek Itza Brown
RivalsGeorge Street

Majestic Alley are a Crips-affiliated street gang in Northside Belize City, allegedly formed in the late 1980s by US deportee Fredrick Diggy Dap Lynch to oppose the concurrently formed George Street (Bloods).[n 9] They (with George Street) are thought to be the country's earliest gangs.[48] They initially claimed all the Northside as their base of operations.[49] Their alleged 1992 murder of Lyndon Tunan Arnold (George Street leader) is thought to have kicked off gang warfare in Belize.[50]

Lynch is thought to have fled the country upon witnessing the 2007 murder of a close associate (Crips leader George Junie Balls McKenzie).[48]

In late 2018, their gang territory was estimated as being on the smaller side (a few blocks).[58] Their numbers were estimated at 25 to 50,[54] with a mean age of 29.[54]

Other entities

Guatemalan and Mexican groups use Belize to receive, store, and move illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.[59] Furthermore, Belizean gangs seemingly provide logistical help in return for illicit drugs and arms.[60]

Name Base Size State Cf
Mendoza clanMendoza familyGuatemalaMajor ? [n 10]
ZetasLos ZetasMexicoMajor ? [61]
SinaloaSinaloa CartelMexicoMajor ? [62]
MS-13Mara SalvatruchaEl SalvadorMajor Active [63]

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^Jan; WB, pp. 210, 212.
  2. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  3. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  4. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22, 24.
  5. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral.
  6. ^WB, p. 216.
  7. ^WB, p. 216.
  8. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral.
  9. ^WB, p. 216.
  10. ^WB, p. 216.
  11. ^WB, p. 216.
  12. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral.
  13. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, p. 22.
  14. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  15. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral.
  16. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral.
  17. ^WB, p. 216.
  18. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  19. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  20. ^WB, p. 216.
  21. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  22. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  23. ^WB, p. 214; Yg m, pp. 21–22, 24; Ral.
  24. ^WB, p. 219.
  25. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22, 24; Ral.
  26. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  27. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral.
  28. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 22.
  29. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  30. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  31. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  32. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  33. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  34. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  35. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  36. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  37. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  38. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  39. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  40. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  41. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  42. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  43. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22.
  44. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 22, 24.
  45. ^Ral.
  46. ^Ral.
  47. ^Ral.
  48. ^ abcdefJan.
  49. ^ abWB, pp. 212–213.
  50. ^ abWB, p. 214.
  51. ^WB, p. 219.
  52. ^WB, pp. 219–220.
  53. ^Yg m, pp. 9–10, 19–20, 22.
  54. ^ abcYg m, p. 21.
  55. ^Yg m, pp. 20–21.
  56. ^WB, p. 215.
  57. ^Kry, p. 19.
  58. ^Yg m, p. 22.
  59. ^Bun, p. 183.
  60. ^Bun, p. 183; Kry, p. 9.
  61. ^Bun, p. 194.
  62. ^Bun, p. 194.
  63. ^Kry, p. 19; Ral.
  1. ^Notes and short citations provided in Cf columns. For gangs, Aff, Base, Age, and No columns give gang affiliation (Bloods or Crips), location in Belize City (Northside versus Southside), estimated mean age of members, and estimated median tally of members, respectively. This article uses ACLED data (Ral, filtered for Belize on 16 July 2025) for information on recent (2018 and later) gang-related incidents.
  2. ^For instance, WB found the murder rate has been steadily increasing since the 1990s (pp. 4-6, 197, 209), noting the state, scholars, and press often blame gangs for the vast majority of crime (pp. 1, 8, 198, 209-210).
  3. ^WB, p. 210; Yg m, pp. xv, 19–20. Though data 'is limited' (Yg m, p. 19).
  4. ^WB, pp. 214–216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22, 24; Ral. Deemed 'the most powerful' with up to 150 members and 'well developed internal informal hierarchies' (WB, p. 215). Main rivals deemed Southside Gang and Pregnant Alley Gang (WB, p. 215). NYC killing of leader Lyndon 'Tunan' Arnold (in retaliation for 1992 killing of alleged Majestic Alley Crips leader Derek 'Itza' Brown) deemed 'most visible initial event' of incipient gang warfare, after which 'violence between gangs became more and more entrenched and the level of violence increased' (WB, p. 214). 2012 killing of leader Shelton 'Pinky' Tillett broke a 2011 government-mediated truce of 13 gangs, including GSG (WB, pp. 219–220).
  5. ^WB, p. 216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral. Deemed one of 'largest gangs by estimated number of members' (Yg m, p. 20).
  6. ^WB, p. 215-216; Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22; Ral. Deemed 'second in terms of organisational capacities' to main rivals GSG (WB, p. 215). Deemed one of 'largest gangs by estimated number of members' (Yg m, p. 20).
  7. ^WB, p. 215. Deemed 'second in terms of organisational capacities' to main rivals GSG (WB, p. 215).
  8. ^Yg m, pp. 9, 21–22. Deemed one of 'largest gangs by estimated number of members' (Yg m, p. 20).
  9. ^ abJan. Per first-hand account by Leslie Pipe Pipersburgh (former Crips member) in 2021 (Jan).
  10. ^Bun, pp. 183, 194. Well-connected crime family; Zetas arrival [likely 2007] 'forced them to change their calculus' (Bun, pp. 180–181). Allegedly use(d) Belize 'as a respite and strategic headquarters' (Bun, p. 183).

References

  1. Raleigh C, Kishi R, Linke A (2023). "Political instability patterns are obscured by conflict dataset scope conditions, sources, and coding choices". Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 10 (Art no 74) 74. doi:10.1057/s41599-023-01559-4.
  2. Baird A (2019). "'Man a Kill a Man for Nutin': Gang Transnationalism, Masculinities, and Violence in Belize City". Men and Masculinities. 24 (3): 411–431. doi:10.1177/1097184X19872787.
  3. Young HA, Patrick A (2023). "Gangs in the City: Profiles of Reality". Journal of Belizean Research. 1 (2). Art no 9.
  4. Janowitz N (15 July 2021). "How the US exported a Bloods and Crips gang war to Belize". Vice. New York.
  5. Warnecke-Berger H (2019). Politics and Violence in Central America and the Caribbean. Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan Cham. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-89782-0. ISBN 978-3-319-89781-3. LCCN 2018942510.
  6. Baird A (2024). From South Central to Southside: Gang Transnationalism, Masculinity, and Disorganized Violence in Belize City. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press. ISBN 9781439923351. LCCN 2023059602.
  7. Bunker RJ, ed. (2013). Criminal Insurgencies in Mexico and the Americas: The Gangs and Cartels Wage War. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-53375-1. LCCN 2016438196.
  8. Young M (2019). King DM (ed.). Belize City Community Gang Assessment (Report). Washington, DC: IDB. doi:10.18235/0001860.
  9. Krylova Y, Rico D (2023). Regional Hubs for Illicit Trade in Central America: Panama, Belize, and Guatemala (Report). Arlington, Virginia: TraCCC.
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