Ballas

Overview

The Ballas are the main rival gang of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, an African-American street gang controlling much of South Central Los Santos. They wear purple and often drive Tahomas and Majestics. Their strategy is to flood Families territory with crack.

History

By 1992 the Ballas have overtaken the weakened Families and are behind the drive-by that kills Beverly Johnson at the start of the game. Their drug supply comes through Big Smoke and the Loco Syndicate, and their weapons come partly from Russian dealers. C.R.A.S.H. protects them as part of Tenpenny's arrangement with Smoke.

Territory

The Ballas hold large parts of Idlewood, Glen Park, Jefferson, East Los Santos and the areas around them. They are divided into sets such as the Front Yard Ballas, Rollin' Heights Ballas and Kilo Tray Ballas. Their turf is the main target of gang warfare in Los Santos.

Leadership and members

No single leader is ever named. Notable members include Kane of the Front Yard Ballas and Little Weasel of the Rollin' Heights Ballas. B Dup works closely with them late in the story.

Role in the story

The Ballas are the enemy in many Los Santos missions, from the ambush in Sweet & Kendl to Drive-By, Los Sepulcros and the gang war that follows. In The Green Sabre they ambush Sweet and CJ alongside Smoke and Ryder. Ryder brings Ballas muscle to the Pier 69 meeting in San Fierro. When CJ returns to Los Santos, he has to break their grip on Grove Street in Beat Down on B Dup and Grove 4 Life.

Relations with other gangs

They are at war with the Grove Street Families and Varrios Los Aztecas. They cooperate with the Los Santos Vagos in the crack trade and work with Big Smoke, the Loco Syndicate and the Russian Mafia.