Venezuelan gang exploits New York migrant crisis to gain criminal gain: report

The feared Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua, known for its involvement in sex trafficking, human smuggling and drug trafficking, has invaded New York City, according to The New York Post. The gang’s rise to power coincides with an influx of migrants over the past two years.

The Tren de Aragua is a relatively new group, but it terrorizes residents with armed members riding on motorbikes. It has been involved in illegal arms sales and the armed gang has even managed to operate under the noses of guards in private shelters. The gang also runs prostitution rings in neighborhoods hardest hit by the influx of migrants.

NYPost reported that the gang also sells Tussi, or “pink cocaine,” a deadly fentanyl concoction, further complicating the list of threats they operate against. Tren de Aragua’s explosive growth is not only overwhelming ordinary New Yorkers, but also the city’s police force. The gang’s actions appear to have diminished the safety of residents, a significant challenge for law enforcement.

“Not every immigrant is here to commit crimes; not every immigrant is a gang member,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told The Post. “But these TDA guys hide very well in plain sight of the migrant community.

“We have no intention of catching the delivery person, but these guys are going so far as to wear Uber Eats clothing and use the delivery bags while they are there committing their crimes,” the chef said. The Post. “When we arrest them, they are very eager to talk about the crime they committed.

The gang, whose name in Spanish means “train from Aragua” (a state in north-central Venezuela), now runs theft and robbery rings that target the entire city and terrorize neighborhoods.

Police stress that Venezuelan gang has not yet taken control of the city

Meanwhile, responding to the popular narrative that gangs have “taken over” the city, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said, “I can tell you right now that gangs do not control the city of Aurora. If you walk away with something, I’ll tell you. Are there gangs in the city of Aurora? Yes. There are. Are there gangs in most major cities in the United States? 100%.”

“This is not an immigration issue. It’s a crime issue,” Chief Chamberlain said during the press conference. “That’s for the federal (government). The immigration aspect is for the federal government, it’s what they’re focused on. It’s what they’ve done. It’s what comes out of the federal government. It comes out of the White House.”