A bloodthirsty Venezuelan super gang that’s been called the ‘epitome of evil’ has spread to yet another American city, as police in Texas announced the arrests of dozens of people connected to Tren de Aragua.
In a pre-dawn operation, a small army of 150 officers raided an apartment complex Saturday Tren de Aragua members had taken over in San Antonio, arresting 19 individuals – four of which have been confirmed gang members.
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Designated as a transnational criminal organization by the US in July, gang members have set up shot in US cities, unleashing a wave of crime in cities like Aurora, New York and Chicago.
‘This is everywhere – it’s Houston, it’s Dallas it’s every major city, and this is the part that’s scary. These criminal element, their tentacles are only getting stronger and longer,’ local Congressman Tony Gonzales told Daily Mail.
In San Antonio, mobsters were squatting in empty units at the Palatia Apartments and were using the spaces to sell drugs and for human trafficking, Police Chief William McManus confirmed.
‘One TdA member is a confirmed “enforcer” for that gang,’ 15 of which were in the country illegally, the city’s top cop added.
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The gang had set up shop in an area of town near the Migrant Resource Center, a shelter run by the City of San Antonio and Catholic Charities that has welcomed over 119,000 migrants since the city starting tracking it in 2023.
An undercover officer operating in the migrant shelter was able to gather intelligence that led to the operation, Fox San Antonio reported.
‘We know who you are, and we’re coming for you,’ McManus said. ‘This is just the first place that we’re hitting. We’ve got other places that we’re going to hit.
TdA made national heading in August after a video of armed members storming an an apartment surfaced.
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A bombshell report by a law firm that represents one of the apartment management companies assaults, threats of murder, extortion and even child prostitution.
‘Prostitution is a big money-maker, and the thing with prostitution is that it brings guys in that they can then sell dope to,’ Fabbricatore explained.
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TdA has been linked to crimes across the US, including the beating of a police officer in New York City and several violent robberies in Colorado.