The most violent MS-13 crimes of 2017 so far

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A six-week nationwide hunt for gang members in the U.S. recently concluded in Houston and across the country.

The anti-gang operation nabbed nearly 1,400 transnational and local gang members. Among them were the infamous MS-13, a violent street gang with ties to El Salvador.

ORIGINS: Central American gangs like MS-13 were born out of failed anti-crime policies

In recent months, the gang has been at the center of national attention due to several murders, one in Houston, whose cruelty has shocked the country.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has even asked for the gang to be labelled a terrorist group, with surveys showing the American public is largely in favor of the reclassification.

SOUTHWEST HOUSTON: Two men injured in possible gang-related shooting

But the prominence of the MS-13 might not just be because of the nature of their crimes: A report released by the Texas Department of Public Safety's found an increasing threat from the MS-13 in Texas, noting an uptick in the number of undocumented gang members attempting to cross the border.

Click through above to see the most violent MS-13 crimes of 2017 so far.