A raid in San Antonio, Texas, targeting the Tren de Aragua gang, resulted in the arrest of over 140 individuals, primarily illegal immigrants. This operation was part of a larger, coordinated effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations.
The raid was conducted as part of a joint operation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and federal and local authorities. It is linked to a recent executive order by the President focused on combating transnational criminal networks involved in activities such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering.
Authorities stated that those taken into custody included individuals from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico, and other South American countries. A significant portion of the arrested individuals had criminal convictions for offenses including murder, child predation, and sex offenses, with some also identified as gang members.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were involved in the operation.
A Homeland Security Task Force was recently established to enhance efforts against these criminal organizations by leveraging sophisticated investigative techniques. U.S.
Representative Joaquin Castro expressed his concerns, stating he had requested more information from the Justice Department and local agencies, citing past raids where U.S. citizens and individuals without criminal records were reportedly arrested.
He noted a similar large-scale ICE operation in Houston during a previous government shutdown that apprehended thousands of criminals.
