‘We’re coming for you’: Texas law enforcement building used as base by Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, 20 arrests made

Two of twenty suspects arrested at San Antonio apartment complex (c) News4 San Antonio

Texas has battled the dangerous transnational gang Tren de Aragua, and law enforcement warns it’s just the start of a broad campaign.

Police in Texas raided a vacant building in San Antonio, allegedly under the “control” of the infamous Venezuelan gang, and used it as a base for crime.

A multi-agency task force was formed for this operation.

In a pre-dawn raid yesterday (5), police cleared more than 300 vacant units at the Palatia Apartments in North San Antonio, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus has said.

Chief McManus said the operation occurred after SAPD received several complaints from the apartment complex regarding narcotics, human trafficking and threats to construction personnel.

The New York Post reported:

“We had information that members of the transnational gang Tren de Agua were in control of the area and were committing several crimes,” McManus said.

Twenty people were arrested, four of whom were confirmed members of Tren de Agua – including one person who is an “enforcer,” he said. Nineteen of those arrested were charged. Several of those arrested had confirmed arrest warrants, officials said.

Read: Third World Takeover: Illegal Venezuelan ‘Tren De Aragua’ Gang Takes Over El Paso, Texas Hotel, Turns It Into a Violent Drug Den

This raid was the culmination of a weeks-long investigation, part of SAPD’s “Operation Aurora” initiative, which in turn is being conducted in the context of a broader effort to disrupt Tren de Aragua’s influence in Texas.

“The apartments were searched by a joint team of agents from SAPD, Texas Department of Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Customs and Border Protection, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Homeland Security Investigations.”

In San Antonio, the Tren de Aragua gang is said to be involved in prostitution, cocaine trafficking and other violent crimes.

Chief McManus said Saturday that the gang has been active in the area for several months and that they have identifying tattoos.

“We assure the community and the public that we are committed to their safety and on top of this (Tren de Aragua) issue that seems to have become very public lately,” McManus said.

Saturday’s arrest was the first by police at a known gang location, but the chief said, “We have other places we’re going to target.” We’re on to you,” he told the gang members. ‘We are coming to get you and we know where you are’.”

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