According to the indictment, Espudo is a verified member of the Mexican Mafia, whose members controlled drug sales in Escondido, San Marcos, Fallbrook, as well as local prisons and jails including San Diego’s Vista Detention Facility. The Mafia ruled over local Hispanic gangs, including Diablos, West Side, Varrio San Marcos, and Varrio Fallbrook Locos, by demanding a “tax” from its members in order to sell drugs in certain areas.
Mexican Mafia member Rudy Espudo, who controlled gang activity and drug sales throughout North County, plead guilty to charges of racketeering, drug sales and brandishing a gun during a drug-trafficking crime at the U.S. District Court in San Diego on May 23.Espudo, also known as “Crazy,” and more than 20 other alleged gang members were arrested and charged in 2012 with organized crime and drug related activities.
The arrests were the result of “Operation Notorious County,” an investigation led by the North County Regional Gang Task Force and aided by federal, state and local officials from summer 2010 through January 2012.
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