Homeland Security agents in Texas captured two Venezuelan nationals, identified as members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, known for its violent activities across the United States.
On Friday, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio revealed that special agents had arrested the two individuals in San Antonio on September 19, during an operation targeting the notorious gang. The agency indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in conspiring to illegally transport firearms.
Following their arrest, the individuals were handed over to ICE custody due to immigration violations. The San Antonio Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) assisted with the arrests.
Tren de Aragua, a brutal street gang, is believed to have originated in Venezuelan prisons and expanded northward over the past decade. Its presence in the U.S. has gained notoriety this year, partly due to several high-profile crimes linked to the gang. Many members are thought to have entered the country via the southern border amid the recent surge in migration.
🚨Exclusive: NYPD Gang Data Reveals the Most Dangerous Tren de Aragua Members Terrorizing New York City🚨
A terrifying wave of violence is sweeping across New York City as the deadly Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, infiltrates the city under the guise of migrants seeking… pic.twitter.com/PYGAAqzFmw
— Viral News NYC (@ViralNewsNYC) August 16, 2024
Recently, the gang made headlines in Aurora, Colorado, with multiple arrests and reports of the gang taking over entire apartment buildings, a claim local authorities have disputed.
The arrest of the two gang members in San Antonio followed Governor Greg Abbott’s declaration of the gang as a “foreign terrorist organisation” last week. He announced that the state would adopt a more aggressive stance in targeting its members.
Abbott stated, “Tren de Aragua has spread terror and carnage in every country they’ve been in, and Texas will not allow them to gain a foothold in our state. Texas will not let these thugs use our state as a base of operations to terrorise our citizens.”
Abbott has directed DPS to elevate the gang to a tier 1 status and establish a TdA Strike Team to identify and arrest its members.
What Other Media Are Saying
- News 4 San Antonio reports on a crackdown leading to the arrests of Venezuelans in San Antonio, targeting the violent Tren de Aragua gang suspected of human trafficking, theft, and drug trafficking. (Read more)
- ABC-7 reported that with over 20 gang members arrested recently, Texas officials are intensifying efforts against Tren de Aragua, underscoring the gang’s alarming expansion and its impact on local communities. (Read more)
- AOL reports that the apprehension of two Venezuelan nationals marks a significant step in addressing the growing threat of Tren de Aragua, a gang notorious for its violent activities across the U.S. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who are the two individuals apprehended by Homeland Security in Texas?
Two Venezuelan nationals are members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
What were the Venezuelan nationals allegedly involved in?
They were allegedly involved in a conspiracy to illegally transport firearms.
What happened to the individuals after their apprehension?
They were transferred into ICE custody based on immigration violations.
What action did Gov. Greg Abbot take against the Tren de Aragua gang?
He declared the gang a “foreign terrorist organisation” and directed DPS to elevate it to a Tier 1 gang.
How can tipsters provide information to authorities about the Tren de Aragua gang?
They can provide information via the Texas DPS website
