Who Was The Founder Of The Mexican Mafia

Alright, gather 'round, folks. We're about to dive into the story of a man who, in a way, is like the godfather of Mexican organized crime in the U.S. But don't go imagining some slick, suit-wearing character from a movie. This guy was more like your grumpy old uncle who, by some strange twist of fate, ended up running the family's garage sale empire.

Meet Him: Sir Hillary "Piranya" Salas

Born in 1937, Hillary Salas, or "Piranya" as he's known in the underworld, was a regular Joe from Mexico City. Now, imagine your grandpa, the one who could fix anything with a bit of duct tape and a prayer. That's Piranya for you, but instead of fixing leaky pipes, he was 'fixing' problems in the prison system.

From Prison Yard to Power Yard

Piranya started his 'career' in the late 1950s, serving time in various Mexican prisons. Now, prisons back then were no picnic. They were more like summer camps for the criminally inclined, with a dash of 'Lord of the Flies' thrown in for good measure. Piranya, with his quick wit and no-nonsense attitude, quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the top dog in the prison yard.

In 1963, he was deported to the U.S. Now, imagine you're at your favorite restaurant, and the waiter says, "Sorry, we can't serve you here anymore. You're too much of a troublemaker." That's essentially what happened to Piranya. But unlike you, he didn't just go next door to the diner. He decided to start his own restaurant, if you know what I mean.

Welcome to the Family: La Eme

Piranya, along with a few other deported Mexican criminals, formed what we now know as the Mexican Mafia, or 'La Eme' as it's often referred to. Think of them as the original 'Friends' gang, but instead of hanging out at Central Perk, they were plotting their next move in prison cells.

The 1993 Death Of Joe "Pegleg" Morgan, Mexican Mafia Founder

La Eme started small, just a bunch of guys trying to make a living in a foreign land. But Piranya, with his prison yard experience, knew how to rally the troops. He turned La Eme into a tight-knit family, with rules, rituals, and a strict code of conduct. It was like the world's most dysfunctional family reunion, but with a lot more guns and a lot less apple pie.

From the Streets to the Silver Screen

La Eme grew, spreading its influence across the U.S. They controlled drug trafficking, extortion, and even had a hand in prison operations. Piranya, now the undisputed leader, was like the puppet master, pulling the strings from behind the scenes. He was the original 'Silence of the Lambs' style criminal mastermind, always one step ahead, always watching.

Mexican Mafia Co-Founder - Benjamin "Topo" Peters - YouTube

But unlike Hannibal Lecter, Piranya wasn't a solo act. He had his 'Neo-Nazis' (his words, not mine) - a group of white supremacists who joined La Eme, believing it would help them in their quest for world domination. It's like when your friend joins a book club thinking it's a wine-tasting club. Oops!

Piranya's Legacy

Piranya died in 1993, but his legacy lives on. La Eme is still active today, a testament to Piranya's vision and leadership. He started with nothing, just a group of deported criminals, and turned them into one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the U.S.

So, the next time you're at a family gathering, and your uncle starts talking about his 'business' ventures, remember Piranya. He was just a regular guy, with a regular job, who ended up running a criminal empire. Now, that's what I call a career upgrade!