I. GENERAL INFORMATION
The 4 Pocket Hustlers (4PH) better known by it's street nickname, "4 Pockets" or "Fours", is a gang of mostly Caucasian ethnicity that operates like a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO); originally based in Calton Heights, San Fierro. Although not much is known about 4PH, it is believed by San Fierro's Gang Narcotics Division that they have an influence on all local street gangs in the area.
Believed to be one of the most secretive organized crime groups, the group's extensive criminal network roots in drug trafficking but the bulk of their money comes from gun trafficking. Through their Los Angeles-based drug sources, they have direct links to Mexican-based drug cartels giving them access to a large amount of heavy military weaponry and drugs.
II. ORGANIZATION & STRUCTURE
Over the past few decades, Drug Trafficking Organizations have increased in number and diversified in structure making them even harder to combat for Law Enforcement. They range from family based operations in which secrecy is essential, and where trafficking of large shipments are discreetly sent to associates across the border, to organizations involving hundreds of players with different roles. This varying structure can often make it difficult to identify the groups as each has a different MO and scale.
In 1998, Mangai Natarajan, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, "studied court records of 39 trafficking organizations in New York City to classify drug syndicates into four main types. "Freelance" networks are composed of small non-hierarchical entrepreneurial groupings of individuals; "family businesses" are cohesive organizations with clear structure and authority and trust based on family ties; "communal businesses" are flexible organizations bound together by a common tie such as ethnicity, religion, nationality, or neighborhood residence; and "corporations" are large organizations in which there is a formal hierarchy and a well-defined division of labor." While these "corporations" are obviously the most organized, they often take years of investigation to trace up to the head operator.
III. FINANCE & VIOLENCE
While an exact financial figure is not known to US authorities, Gangs like 4PH are believed to make tens of billions of dollars annually in drug trafficking alone. With this staggering income from illegal trade, the longevity and persistence of these organizations is understandable. For groups based in economically struggling regions, the illegal trafficking of drugs is a tempting and extremely profitable illegitimate business with little domestic risk. A variety of methods are used to conceal and move the cash made from the network of drug deals. Money laundering techniques involve the wiring and constant movement of funds from different banks and accounts. This technique makes tracking the money more difficult, and can cost banks millions in losses each year. Aside from financial detriment, these groups can be very violent extending their police record to countless offences. In a constant struggle for territory and control of the market, DTOs will not hesitate to use deadly force against rival organizations, or threats to their business. The use of automatic weapons, threats, and bribery are common in maintaining control.
IV. GANG INFLUENCE
Operationally, DTOs rely on street gangs to distribute the product to their customers. This collaboration supports turf wars between rival gangs like the Bloods and Crips that ensures their participation in the drug trade. These gangs which make headlines daily, rely on the illegal drug trade to support their gangs across the US. The money generated by this process, among other factors, draws youth into the gang lifestyle continuing the cycle of violence on the street. In 4PH's case they don't rely on any gang due to their dual operation of acting like a street gang and a DTO.
V. CONCLUSION
Newly settled and conceived in San Fierro, the 4PH are playing strategical "chess" on the streets as they climb their way to becoming one of the most powerful gangs. Interweaving themselves in every possible revenue opportunity, everything is fair game; especially the music industry. With their younger and more ruthless members being willing to commit brazen crimes of any kind, the 4PH have started to power-house their way into the top position for pre-dominantly Caucasian organized crime groups; essentially putting them on the radar for law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fireams, and Explosives (ATF).
The 4 Pocket Hustlers faction strives to portray an accurate modern day community which is plagued with all types of adversity and circumstances in a general low-income housing area. This faction welcomes all races but is pre-dominantly Caucasian. With that being said, Character Development is expected from any and everyone who is interested in joining the faction. Upon joining the faction, you have agreed to an unwritten agreement with the faction's leader(s) which simply states we can Character Kill (CK) you if deemed fit and/or necessary depending on the situation. It is imperative that all member(s) of the faction have a good general knowledge of the King's English.
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Follow all server/faction rules.
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All members of the faction are expected to join and participate in the private forums.
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Remain In-Character at all times. If you must have an OOC conversation, feel free to use the /pm feature provided.
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We strive to maintain a high-standard of In-Character roleplay. Trolling and/or any other form of unrealistic actions/roleplay will not be tolerated.
- Any questions/concerns regarding the faction can be directed to myself.
