Part 9/12:
The aftermath extended beyond the desert’s edge. The Mexican underworld descended into chaos, with infighting and instabilities spreading as cartel leaders were eliminated or went into hiding. The U.S. government’s internal memos revealed a tacit understanding: these biker groups, once underground, were now functioning as a de facto militia, controlling border zones and intimidating law enforcement.
Operation Black Smoke, a secret FBI initiative, aimed to suppress evidence of vigilante border operations, reflecting the government’s unwillingness to confront the unorthodox allies. Agents debated whether to openly target the Angels or let them serve as an unofficial deterrent—an unsettling choice that underscores the blurred lines between law enforcement and insurgency.