The Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) The Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) is a Hispanic prison gang formed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in the late 1980's. HPL operates in most prisons and on the streets in many communities in Texas, particularly Laredo. HPL is also active in several cities in Mexico, and its largest contingent in that country is located in Nuevo Laredo. HPL is structured and estimated to have 1,000 members. HPL members maintain close ties with Mexican DTOs and are involved in the trafficking of large quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the U.S. for distribution.