The Black Hand: The Bloody Rise and Redemption of "Boxer" Enriquez, a Mexican Mob Killer

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More About This Book

Overview

THE BLACK HAND is the true story of Rene Enriquez, aka "Boxer," and his rise in a secret criminal organization, a new Mafia, that already has a grip on all organized crime in California and soon all of the United States. This Mafia is using a base army of an estimated 60,000 heavily armed, loyal Latino gang members, called Surenos, driven by fear and illicit profits. They are the most dangerous gang in American history and they wave the flag of the Black Hand.

Mafioso Enriquez gives an insider′s view of how he devoted his life to the cause--the Mexican Mafia, La Familia Mexicana, also known as La Eme--only to find betrayal and disillusionment at the end of a bloody trail of violence that he followed for two decades.

And now, award-winning investigative journalist Chris Blatchford, with the unprecedented cooperation of Rene Enriquez, reveals the inner workings, secret meetings, and elaborate murder plots that make up the daily routine of the Mafia brothers. It is an intense, never-before-told story of a man who devoted his life to a bloody cause only to find betrayal and disillusionment.

Based on years of research and investigation, Chris Blatchford has delivered a historic narrative of a nefarious organization that will go down as a classic in mob literature.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
Don't look now, but there's a new mob in town. Actually, La Familia Mexicana (a.k.a. La Eme, the Mexican Mafia) has been around since the '50s, organized first as a prison gang, then expanding into a full-scale criminal enterprise numbering approximately 60,000 Latino gang members. In The Black Hand, former La Eme hitman "Boxer" Enriquez reveals the story of this dangerous, highly secretive group, arguably the most dangerous gang in American history.
Los Angeles Times
“Blatchford is well-suited to tell this story . . . he captures the nuances and nihilism of the prison world . . . The narrative is interspersed with fascinating prison arcana.”
More Reviews (1) Fewer Reviews
Publishers Weekly

There is much to praise in this authorized biography of Rene "Boxer" Enriquez, penned by Peabody Award-winning journalist Blatchford (Three Dog Nightmare). While this is a superb cautionary tale about the dangers of youth falling into senseless gang violence, it also rates as a probing, redemptive story of Enriquez, a vicious, heroin-addicted killer for Los Angeles's largest criminal street gang, with 20,000 members involved in extortion, drug-dealing, vice and murder. Blatchford explores with grim accuracy Enriquez's criminal past, prison killings, turf wars and contract eliminations around the West Coast. But the book also reveals Enriquez and his crew's total commitment to hoodlum honor, the cost in lives and status, and the betrayals and intrigues both behind bars and out in society. This is a savvy account of Enriquez's arduous self-education and personal transformation from cold killer to a man who, in his own words, educates law enforcement and the public about a "prison and criminal subculture that should scare the hell out of them." (Sept.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780061944185
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 9/8/2009
  • Pages: 368
  • Sales rank: 45,767
  • Product dimensions: 5.90 (w) x 9.00 (h) x 0.80 (d)

Meet the Author

Chris Blatchford is an investigative reporter and author of the Los Angeles Times bestseller Three Dog Nightmare. He has won numerous commendations and awards for his reports, including nine Emmy Awards and a Peabody for his investigation into Italian Mafia infiltration of MCA/Universal's music and home video divisions. He lives in Los Angeles.

Read an Excerpt


The Black Hand
The Bloody Rise and Redemption of "Boxer" Enriquez, a Mexican Mob Killer

By Chris Blatchford
HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Copyright © 2008

Chris Blatchford
All right reserved.


ISBN: 9780061257292

Chapter One

Blood In, Blood Out

He had a lot of blood on his hands—from the streets and from behind bars.

Now he sat in Los Angeles Superior Court waiting for Judge Florence-Marie Cooper to set a trial date. He faced two first-degree murder charges and two attempted-murder charges. If convicted, the death penalty was a definite possibility—at the very least life in prison—and he didn't seem to care.

In fact, as a nearby television news camera videotaped the proceedings, twenty-nine-year-old Rene Enriquez, better known on the gang-infested streets of southern California as "Boxer," calmly turned toward the camera lens, softly mouthed the word "lies," and broke into shoulder-shaking laughter.

He was strikingly handsome with a personality that demanded attention, a certain presence that commanded respect. Thick, jet-black hair combed back. A full mustache turned down at the edges. A sharp, pointed nose and high cheekbones betraying his Mexican-Aztec roots. His wire-rim glasses surrounded friendly eyes that instantly could turn cold and threatening. He was five-foot-eight but carried himself like a man a half-foot taller, trim and athletic. He actually looked good in short-sleeved jailhouse blues. If not forthe tattoos that marked both sides of his neck, dotted his hands, and sleeved his forearms, he could easily have put on an expensive suit and passed for one of the slick courthouse lawyers who make a living representing guys just like him—gangsters.

While on parole a year and a half earlier, he had ordered the death of a young woman for stealing drugs from him, and several days later he put five .357 Magnum bullets into the head of an errant mobster who had shown cowardice. Then, while awaiting trial, he did two other bloody hits inside the Los Angeles County Jail—stabbing the rival mobsters so many times that it was only a stroke of fate that kept them from making an early trip to their graves. In truth, authorities believe he had participated in at least ten murders and had personal knowledge of seven times that many.

Boxer Enriquez was a full-fledged member of the ruthless Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, a regular modern-day Murder Incorporated. And he was proud of it. "Eme" (pronounced EH-meh) is the Spanish phonetic pronunciation of the letter "M"—for Mafia. He has eme tattooed on his left hand. The word emero, also for "M," appears on his left bicep. A butterfly, or Mariposa, also signifying the letter "M," is on his neck. An actual life-size black hand is tattooed over his heart with a small "eMe" emblazoned in the middle of the palm—the e on each side lightened in color to give prominence to the letter M. La Eme has a saying that, "when the hand touches you, you go to work." That means murder, maiming, mayhem, extortion, drug dealing, robbing, burglarizing, kidnapping, or anything else the Mexican Mafia brothers want done. And Boxer had done them all.

He moved his chair back and forth on its hind legs and stared at Judge Cooper as she set his murder trial date for January 1, 1993. This was no sweat. He stood up straight, already handcuffed and waist-and-leg-chained, and was escorted out of the courtroom under heavy guard. That was the way he would go anywhere outside his cell for the rest of his life. There was the sound of chains clanging as he walked, and he turned and nonchalantly waved as he neared the prisoners' exit door at the side of the courtroom. There would be no bail. Again, he didn't seem to mind. Already Boxer had spent about one-third of his young life locked up. He was reasonably comfortable in prison. Besides, he was a feared killer—even in a world of killers, he knew he would never hesitate. Others would. He was a killer's killer and proud of it—a warrior.

He also knew that the Mexican Mafia controlled not only County Jail but the largest inmate population in the world and all the prison rackets, including drugs, extortion, and gambling. The California Department of Corrections had 160,000 inmates, and La Eme used murder and fear to keep them in line. Yeah, he would be just fine.

By his own admission, it was a "twisted" existence, but he was smart and confident. He knew he not only looked like a gangster, he was one. And after all, it was a life he had bargained for, and there was only one acceptable way out. He'd taken an oath with his Eme brothers—"blood in, blood out." In other words, the only way out of the Mafia was in a pine box.

That was the cardinal rule in this deadly game he played, and he felt he was a player at the top of his game.

And besides, the Mexican Mafia had a Spanish word to describe the position of its members: rifamos. Translation: "we rule, we control, we reign." The line that divided life in prison and life in the outside world seemed blurred.

Boxer's criminal career was indicative of the lifestyle of the Mexican Mafia, which did outrageous crimes with impunity, not caring if the brothers got caught or went to prison. They adapted, becoming creatures of the penal system and the cruel streets of the underworld. They had no regard for human life, and still don't.

Rene Enriquez, aka "Boxer," enjoyed being one of them. And to more completely understand what Boxer had become, it's important to first know the bloody history of the organization that spawned and shaped him.



Continues...

Excerpted from The Black Hand by Chris Blatchford Copyright © 2008 by Chris Blatchford. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Table of Contents

1 Blood In, Blood Out 1

2 Mexican Mafia History 4

3 Boxer Beginnings 12

4 Drugs, Dealing, Robbing, and Rebellion 18

5 Boxer Graduates to College (Prison) 29

6 The Wrecking Crew 36

7 Boxer and the Black Hand 39

8 Mafia Politics: Like Swimming with Sharks in a Bloody Pool 45

9 Back Outside: The Brutality of the Streets 53

10 Preserving Hoodlum Honor 59

11 Boxer Meets Steely-Eyed Chuco 65

12 Hit the Streets Like a Wild Man 70

13 Shifting Loyalties and Sweet Revenge 75

14 A Reign of Terror 82

15 Learning a Sweet Lucrative Scam 95

16 Hungry Piranhas in a Tank 100

17 Die Like a Man, You Punk 105

18 Mafia Gratitude Goes Only So Far 112

19 La Eme Goes to Hollywood 114

20 Drive-bys, Drugs, and the Pepsi Generation Mafia 121

21 Dealing with Pure Evil 127

22 The Eme Plot to Kill the Governor of California 135

23 Operation Pelican Drop 140

24 Calling the Shots From Prison 149

25 Baby Killers 161

26 Dead Men Don't Pay 180

27 Chuco Rolls on La Eme 185

28 A Rat or Just Smart? 195

29 A Mini-Mob Convention 201

30 Boxer, Bat, and the Tijuana Drug Cartel 207

31 It Was Just Business 217

32 Race Riot Madness 225

33 Phony Peace Talks 230

34 Growing Mob-Weary 240

35 Man Is Made or Unmade by Himself 246

36 Missing Life 249

37 Dropping Out of the Mob 256

38 A WonderFul Break 267

39 You Can't Play by the Rules 274

40 La Eme Spreading Like a Cancer 283

41 Trying to Be More 289

Afterword 295

Glossary 305

Bibliography 309

Acknowledgments 315

Index 317

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 47 )

Rating Distribution

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(29)

4 Star

(10)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(4)

1 Star

(2)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 48 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 14, 2009

    Pick this up if you're interested in how the M works

    Boxer ALMOST tells all! Which is alot since not many dropouts reveal information on how their gang operates. Very insightful, especially for anyone studying criminal justice, involved in law enforcement, or just interested in reading about stone cold killers. Not praising what he did in life, but lets the reader know there's heartless killers out there.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 31, 2009

    Interesting

    Definitely worth taking a look at. Well written and it is hard to put down this book. It goes beyond the basic details and takes you into the particulars.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted January 31, 2009

    Response to Rene "Boxer" Enriquez

    I've beeb trying to locate this book at the book stores, but every time that I ask for it, they don't have one at hand. But I personally know Rene and have known him for quite some time now. I'm sure this book will scare alot of you, and it should. My husband was also a member of this organization, except for He didn't have the opportunity to walk away from them. He's been gone for 13 years this coming April 28th. I'm glad that Rene got out from this family. I also want everyone to know that alot of these guys involved with the "M" do have hearts and do care for others, they're not all killers without feeling. I know, because if it wasn't for Rene and a couple other of my homeboys that still belong to the "M", I wouldn't be here today, if it wasn't for their love and protection over me. Like everything in life. Belonging to the "M" has it's pro's and con's. But when all is said and done, we are all humans and we all make mistakes. Just try to be one of the one's that don't make this type of mistake, because this type of mistake can devistate your whole family and turn their world upside down in a wink of and eye. I know this for a fact. I still love you Rene and pray for you every day. Your status and where you are at will never change the way I feel for you and everything you did for me. May God Bless You. Always Rose Gonzalez

    1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 29, 2009

    Amazing

    I loved love love this book! I could not put it down.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 14, 2008

    response to rene's book

    This book was very intresting i could not put it down. It really scared me because they hurt innocent people for nothing, they don't even give you a opprotunity to defend the truth than a lie and that is really sad.
    Thank GOD that Rene had the courage to leave evil behind.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 24, 2012

    Very Informative

    Well written.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 18, 2012

    Could not put down the book

    I read the free preview and loved it. I have not been into a book like this since i was 17,im 31 and wow. I have read 32 chapters in one day. I really recommend this book to anyone i know you'll enjoy it.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 30, 2011

    La Eme

    The black hand is a great story. I question some of Enrique's accuracy if for no other reason than the Junkie factor.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 1, 2011

    THE BOOK IS GOOD (LOS ANGELES AREA)

    Im from the Los Angles area
    I like Chris Blatchford he is a good person and is always covering the Mexican Mafia stories on FOX 11 in the Southern California area and the thing is he makes people in the book seem hardcore criminals and they may be but it seems like he goes over board my uncle is Cowboy from EastSide Clover (ESC) gang in the East Los Angeles area and in the book it states "Cowboy was a terror back then. He wanted to stab someone everyday." (Blatchford) Yes he was crazy but not as described in the book he is serving a life sentence in up Fresno for robbery and led the Fresno Police Department on a pursuit after the robbery

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 16, 2011

    Great

    You will not put down this book. Great insight to the mafia and the politics involved in it

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  • Posted February 21, 2010

    Great and Insightful Book

    This is a very well written and insightful book of the actual life that havent's in prison and the everyday life of a mafiso.

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  • Posted July 17, 2009

    Wow!

    This book is a brutal look at gang activities that had an impact on almost everyone's lives in So Cal in the 80's and 90's. What I was most impressed with was how candid Rene was about what the shot callers are really about. He does a great job explaining hwo it really works and how it all really happens. I think Rene's book shows that you can't lump people into categories as easily as we think (vis a vis psychology and criminal justice). Human beings are much more complex, and this book captures just how complicated things can get for those of us who made similar choices in life. I would recommend this book for anyone who is battling a drug problem, who is involved in gangs, who is incarcerated, or who wants to work with those types of people in any capacity.

    I have never been a fan of becoming an informant PERIOD! But, things aren't like they used to be. The cops have figured out how to penetrate all criminal organizations because, frankly, every one wants to be comfortable and feel like they have accomplished something in their older years. No one wants to be old and still looking over their shoulder all the time. Among many other valuable things, this book gives a tremendous insight as to why these organizations become vulnerable to informants. Read it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 30, 2008

    I Also Recommend:

    9780718008581

    WHAT A ZERO

    RENE, KILLED A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE, WHO WE MISS SO MUCH, I WOULD NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH. AND THEN HE FEEDS IT TO THE "LAW" WHAT A JOKER. THATS ALL OLD AND GONE SO WHAT UPDATES CAN HE GIVE ??? HE SHOULD BE TRYING TO SAVE HIS SOUL.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 18, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 28, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 5, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 23, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 6, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 16, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 18, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

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