Texas Is ENDING It: Tren de Aragua ON THE RUN

Texas authorities apprehend four Tren de Aragua gang members at the border, intensifying the state’s crackdown on transnational criminal organizations.

At a Glance

  • Four Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang members arrested attempting to cross into Texas
  • Arrests made as part of Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star border security initiative
  • Texas DPS encountered a group of 22 immigrants, leading to multiple arrests
  • Governor Abbott designates Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization
  • Texas offers $5,000 reward for information on Tren de Aragua criminal activities

Border Security Operation Nets Gang Members

On New Year’s Eve, Texas law enforcement officials intercepted four members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as they attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas. The arrests, announced by Governor Greg Abbott, mark a significant victory in the state’s ongoing battle against transnational criminal organizations infiltrating the southern border.

The incident occurred in Val Verde County, where Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers encountered a group of 22 immigrants from various Latin American countries. During interviews, agents became suspicious of four Venezuelan men, whose gang affiliations were subsequently confirmed through cell phone searches.

Operation Lone Star’s Continued Success

The arrests are part of Texas’ Operation Lone Star, a comprehensive border security initiative launched to combat illegal immigration and criminal activities along the state’s border with Mexico. Governor Abbott has taken a firm stance against the Tren de Aragua gang, designating it as a foreign terrorist organization and directing the DPS to prioritize its members as top-tier targets.

“Our top priority is the safety and security of Texans, including against the growing threat of Tren de Aragua,” Governor Abbott said.

The operation resulted in criminal trespass charges against 11 of the 22 migrants encountered, including nine Venezuelan men who claimed they were heading to various Texas cities. The four confirmed gang members were identified as Segundo Ocando-Mejia, Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, Antonio Joe Urruttia-Rojas, and Levi Jesus Urrutia-Blanco.

Tren de Aragua: A Growing Threat

Tren de Aragua originated in Venezuela in the early 2000s as a prison gang and has since evolved into a powerful transnational criminal organization. The gang is involved in a wide range of illegal activities, including extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, kidnapping, and illegal mining. Their operations have expanded across Latin America and into the United States, raising significant security concerns.

“I designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization, and we will not tolerate this gang operating or gaining a foothold in Texas,” Abbott stated.

In response to the growing threat, Governor Abbott has launched a statewide operation targeting Tren de Aragua. The governor has directed DPS to elevate the gang to Tier 1 status and create a specialized TdA Strike Team. Additionally, a reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification and arrest of Tren de Aragua gang members involved in criminal activities in Texas.

Texas law enforcement agencies continue to work diligently to prevent Tren de Aragua from establishing a foothold in the state. Multiple members of the gang have been arrested since the governor’s proclamation, including a significant raid in San Antonio. Authorities are also investigating potential gang affiliations in other criminal cases across the state.

The governor’s office encourages citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Imagine how effective these measures will be when Texas has the support of the White House in a handful of weeks.

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