AD3 is not just any graffiti on a wall in a random neighborhood. It stands for “Love Triple” but it is not romantic or sexual graffiti. Its meaning is explained this way: a Dominican presence in the area is recognized as a territorial claim.
This DDP footprint on the streets sits behind other graffiti that might look innocent at first sight, such as Spanish 4.4.16 — a numeric code that refers to letters in the alphabet, D as the fourth letter and P as the sixteenth — paired with the number 3 and EOEEE, a war cry used before clashes with rival gangs.
Latino gang members form a subculture with a unique language, tattoos, clothing, colors, symbols and gestures. Police units study these subcultures to understand and prevent violence and crime.
Authorities have identified the presence of Latino gangs in the last three years across major cities: Madrid, Toledo, Guadalajara, Burgos, Valladolid, Asturias, Navarra, Zaragoza, Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Albacete, Tarragona, Barcelona and Mallorca.
Through graffiti, which Latino gangs call “placazos,” they claim parks or fields as their own and warn rival groups to stay away. If warnings are ignored, violence can follow.
“Straw”, The Trinitarians
A “plazazo” or graffiti bearing the initials PPT signals the presence of the Trinitarians, rivals to the DDP, seen in Madrid with multiple violent incidents in 2022. Other markers include the number 157 signifying the Original Trinity, inscriptions AD7 (Seven Loves, a Trinitarian symbol), 1844, 3NI and terms like Homeland or House Trap painted on walls and buildings.
For law enforcement, these markings communicate territory and warnings rather than art. If a wall displays “3030,” that is a call for a gang clash and a sign that violence could erupt in the district. The presence of a rival gang nearby can make any passerby a potential target.
In a notable episode linked to this conflict, a 15-year-old boy named William, connected to the Trinitarians, was killed in Madrid. A shouting slogan pattern pressed into the air was documented, and rival graffiti such as “Fuck 7” appeared, tied to DDP activity in Villaverde, a district marked by frequent clashes.
Police sources note the spread of both major groups beyond Villaverde, with Usera and Carabanchel also affected. In the Latina and Ciudad Lineal areas, and in Cuatro Caminos where the Trinitarians have gained ground, wall inscriptions read 4R or T4R to mark a region as theirs. Rival gangs are often deterred by the visible presence of these signs.
dog paw sign
The Bloods are another gang aligned with the Trinitarians in this violent struggle with the DDP. A relatively new presence in Spain, their markings often feature a pentacle, or the label Blood and related terms such as Blood Love or United Blood Nation (UBN). In central Madrid, some members mark themselves with a dog paw tattoo on the right shoulder, a three-dot motif evoking an animal footprint, typically applied by burning the skin.
Clues from graffiti show the Bloods’ reach in central Madrid, and the tendency to use dog paw imprints as a signature on walls and clothing.
A large mural or plaque bearing the phrase for war cries and the initials CK (Crips Kill) or the number 187 signals a nearby rival. In Bloods circles, these markers announce risk and the potential for violence.
Lions, crowns and rosaries
The Latin Kings and Ñetas trace their origins to Ecuador and began forming in Spain around the turn of the century. A figure known as El Padrino, Eric Velastegui, once led the Latin Kings in the Madrid region. His detention in recent years followed allegations of continuing control from prison. The case highlights how leadership and influence can persist across borders through coded graffiti, tattoos and organized networks.
Territorial marks often include the number 5, combined with 1.4.18, and symbols such as lions, crowns, rosaries and thorn-like motifs that represent religious icons.
The Ñetas use the letter N and the number combinations 1.50, along with two crossed fingers in their emblems. The group has carved out its footprint in Vallecas, Puente de Vallecas and nearby areas, potentially intersecting with Trinitarians in some neighborhoods.
number 42
The Forty Two gang, of Dominican origin and with roots in a Chicago prison, maintains a presence in select Madrid districts. Their symbols include the numbers 42 or 3.65, with initials like PAP and PAPHU. In December, authorities detained its leader in an Alcorcón apartment housing nine young children, while reports of violence continued, including a serious assault near Las Águilas station in Latina.
In Madrid’s neighborhoods, newer Latin and local Spanish gangs like Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, carry symbols associated with their origin. Members and followers use the number 13 in graffiti and tattoos, and sign with the initials MS and sometimes the number 503, signaling a faction within the original gang.