DHS Reports Arrest of 68 Tren De Aragua Gang Members in Under a Week
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have announced the arrest of 68 alleged members of the Tren De Aragua gang in less than a week.
The arrests come after the Trump administration designated the Venezuela-based criminal organization as a foreign terrorist organization on the first day of the current administration. Officials say the designation has allowed for a coordinated law enforcement effort to target the group.
According to DHS, a total of 394 alleged members of Tren De Aragua have been arrested since the beginning of the administration. Authorities have described the group as being involved in crimes such as human trafficking, drug distribution, and violent offenses. The gang has been linked to several high-profile crimes, including the murders of nursing student Laken Riley and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray.
In a statement, a DHS spokesperson reiterated the agency’s commitment to addressing gang-related crime.
“The Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security are committed to arresting and removing criminals from our communities,” the spokesperson said. “Tren De Aragua is a criminal organization engaged in violent and illegal activities, and we will continue our efforts to ensure its members are held accountable.”
The administration has indicated that further enforcement actions targeting the gang will continue.