Aryan Brotherhood was formed in 1964 at a state prison located in California (SPLC). It was established with an aim of countering a gang made of blacks called the Black Guerilla Family. In the process of doing so, the brotherhood was recognized as the first white supremacists to counter the black gangs (SPLC). The group has continued to operate as a criminal enterprise, inside and outside prison. According to reports, there are over twenty thousand members of the AB, and majority is operating in state and federal prisons. Actually, in order to have smooth operations, AB has to make money, and this is done through engagement in criminal activities.
In the 90s, AB was growing big, and the leadership noted that organized criminal activities were the only sure way to generate funds. In fact, the leaders realized that trafficking of drugs within prisons was lucrative (SPLC). The members of the gang commenced activities of supplying drugs to Latino and Black prisoners. Actually, an ex-member of the group, John Greschner once deducted that, the group was no longer interested in race war activities (SPLC). He added that, the gang had already established a complex collection and banking system that enrolled a 20% levy on profits realized from Aryan Brotherhood criminal activities carried out on the streets (SPLC). The funds collected are controlled and laundered by the group’s commissioners (SPLC). In yet another popular way of making money for the AB was through a popular member known as Big Mac. He came up with a method, where the people visiting the prisoners would put a balloon of heroin in their mouth. The balloon contained 2 grams of heroin and would easily be passed through the mouth to the prisoners. This would normally happen while the visitor and the prisoner would kiss (Morales, 2013). The kisses were a major channel of passing the drug. Big Mac would sell the drugs and send the money to AB through Western Union and money order. The group received massive funds from Big Mac and they used it to finance their activities (Morales, 2013).
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The Aryan Brotherhood makes their money by engaging in all manner of evils. Besides heroin, they distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana with the US prisons and streets. Their leaders have equally been associated with commercialized prostitution, extortion, contract killing, and unlawful gambling (Morales, 2013). The group was also known for controlling illegal activities within the prisons, in exchange for financial gain. They deal with weapons for hire and currently, the group is known for getting involved in robbery and murder, all in a bid to make money (Morales, 2013).
The Aryan Brotherhood makes their money by joining hands with hard criminals to offer them protection. For instance, Italian-American Mafia boss John Gotti was slapped with a life imprisonment and was taken to Marion prison (SPLC). He sought the services of AB to offer him protection. In addition, he made them business partners through his associates and AB members outside (SPLC). The deal made the group even more powerful. In the 70s, Charles Manson also sought the services of AB. Although they were reluctant to do business with him, they used his girls to smuggle weaponry and drugs (SPLC).
In overall, the AB was formed with an aim of offering protection to white inmates. However, the group changed into an organized criminal gang that does all manner of evil for money. They make their money through extortion, smuggling drugs, offering protection, gambling, robbery, and murder for hire among other things.
References
Morales, G. C. (2013). The History of the Aryan Brotherhood. New York, NY: Createspace Independent Pub
SPLC. Aryan Brotherhood. Retrieved from <https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist- files/group/aryan-brotherhood>
