Sixteen illegal immigrants linked to Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang have been arrested in Houston as part of President Trump’s “Operation Take Back America,” dealing a significant blow to one of the most dangerous transnational criminal networks now operating on U.S. soil.
Key Takeaways
- The FBI has arrested 16 members of the “Anti-Tren” gang in Houston on drug trafficking and weapons charges in what officials call the largest takedown of the group to date.
- Many of the suspects are Venezuelan nationals who are in the United States illegally, highlighting the security threat posed by uncontrolled migration.
- The criminal organization is an offshoot of Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua cartel, which has been expanding operations across the U.S.
- One suspect, Jose Briceno, is linked to a mass shooting at a Houston sports bar in March, demonstrating the violent nature of these criminal organizations.
- If convicted, the suspects face potential life sentences and fines up to $10 million for cocaine trafficking charges.
Venezuelan Gang Network Dismantled in Major FBI Operation
Federal officials have charged 16 suspected gang members and associates with serious drug and weapons offenses in Houston, dealing a significant blow to the Venezuelan criminal network infiltrating American cities. The suspects are connected to the “Anti-Tren” gang, an offshoot consisting mainly of defectors from Venezuela’s larger Tren de Aragua (TdA) criminal organization. Despite their separation from the parent organization, Anti-Tren continues similar criminal activities including drug trafficking, weapons sales, and violent enforcement of their territory.
“These arrests are the largest takedown of suspected Anti-Tren members and associates by the FBI so far,” said Douglas Williams from the FBI.
Illegal Immigration Fueling Criminal Networks
Most of the suspects were living in Houston, with many residing in the country illegally, according to federal investigators. This case highlights the growing security threat posed by transnational criminal organizations exploiting America’s southern border. The operation comes shortly after the FBI added a Tren de Aragua member to its 10 Most Wanted list, further emphasizing the escalating danger Venezuelan gangs pose to American communities. Law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned that these sophisticated criminal networks are using the migrant crisis to establish operations in cities across the country.
The arrests reveal that two groups within the organization had allegedly agreed to transport cocaine for $15,000 per load, with the investigation uncovering extensive drug distribution networks throughout Houston. The scale of the operation indicates how deeply entrenched these foreign criminal organizations have become in American cities during the recent border crisis. The multi-agency operation involved the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE, Texas Department of Public Safety, Houston Police Department, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, demonstrating the significant resources required to combat these threats.
Violent Criminals Facing Serious Charges
Among those charged is Jose Briceno, a Venezuelan national accused of participating in a mass shooting at Latinas Sports Bar in Houston this March. Two criminal complaints detail how 14 of the suspects were involved in a conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, while additional firearms-related charges were filed against several individuals for unlawful possession and illegal sale of weapons. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face possible life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million, while weapons charges could add up to 15 more years to their sentences.
“Feds charged 16 alleged ‘Anti-Tren’ gang members in a major drug and gun trafficking bust,” reported FBI
The operation is part of “Operation Take Back America,” President Trump’s initiative to combat transnational criminal organizations that have been allowed to establish footholds in American communities. Federal prosecutors from the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan are handling the case, reflecting the administration’s prioritization of dismantling these dangerous criminal networks. This decisive action demonstrates the contrast between the current administration’s commitment to border security and the previous policies that allowed these criminal elements to enter and operate within the United States.
