{U.S. targets gang as global crime organization|The designation applies to an organization known as MS-13, which started as a local street gang composed largely of immigrants from El Salvador, mostly in the Los Angeles area, and is believed to have as many as 10,000 members in 46 states and Central America|Members have been accused of crimes ranging from kidnapping and murder to drug smuggling and human trafficking|MS-13 stands for Mara Salvatrucha, and the decision being announced by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control will smooth the way for federal authorities to seize assets associated with the organization, which is considered one of the world’s most dangerous gangs|Brenda Paz, 17, was stabbed to death and her body was left along the Shenandoah River|government sanctions, the first time this designation has been given to such a group|