Photo: Alamy
The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that a nationwide operation targeting the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua resulted in more than two dozen arrests and the seizure of firearms, drugs and cash.
Federal authorities said charges were filed across six judicial districts, including Colorado, Southern Florida, Northern Indiana, Middle Tennessee, Western Tennessee and Eastern Washington.
Investigators seized more than 80 firearms, about 18 kilograms of narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and more than $100,000 in cash, according to the DOJ.
The Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year. Officials said more than 260 alleged members and associates of the gang have now been charged since Donald Trump began his second term.
“In a few days, the Justice Department and its partners on Joint Task Force Vulcan carried out a nationwide takedown of vicious Tren de Aragua terrorist networks,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.
The operation included charges tied to firearms trafficking, drug distribution and conspiracy offenses.
In Colorado, prosecutors charged two Venezuelan nationals with illegally trafficking firearms. One of the defendants was also accused of distributing “tusi,” a synthetic drug mixture that can contain ketamine and MDMA.
In Tennessee, authorities charged five additional individuals alleged to be linked to Tren de Aragua or a splinter faction known as “Anti-Tren.” Prosecutors accused the group of participating in drug trafficking and firearms conspiracies.
Federal officials said several of the defendants were in the United States illegally, while another was identified as a lawful permanent resident from Honduras.
In Southern Florida, three additional suspects accused of ties to the gang were charged in connection with narcotics trafficking.
Kash Patel described the operation as a major blow to the organization.
“This is a massive and impactful takedown of over 25 TdA terrorists who wreaked havoc on our streets,” Patel said in the statement.
The DOJ said multiple investigations tied to the operation remain ongoing.
