Migrant TDA gang member breaks officer’s arm as 10 indicted in massive guns, drug running operation
Ten alleged members and associates of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) have been indicted in a massive arms and drugs-running operation that spanned at least six states, with plans to expand internationally to Colombia. The suspects, all migrants from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally, were arrested in New York City after a year-long investigation dubbed Operation Train Derail, carried out by the Queens District Attorney’s office and the NYPD.
The gang members, led by Enyerbert Blanco, 24, were involved in trafficking illegal firearms, including AR-15 assault rifles and a modified Glock 9mm, as well as deadly drugs like pink cocaine, a mixture of ketamine, MDMA, and ecstasy. The operation also involved stolen firearms from other states, with the suspects using rental vehicles to transport the weapons for sale in New York City. The group was described as “entrepreneurial” in their gun dealings, with firearms selling for prices ranging from $1,200 to $2,800.
During the arrests, one of the suspects broke an NYPD officer’s arm during a scuffle. The injured officer is set to undergo surgery and separate charges will be filed. Four of the suspects are currently in custody in New York City, while four others are behind bars in Texas and Florida. The remaining suspects are still at large.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described TdA as a dangerous transnational gang that specializes in murder, trafficking, and mayhem. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies to take down international gangs like TdA. The suspects face charges ranging from criminal sale of a firearm to conspiracy to possess and sell illegal firearms in New York City, with maximum penalties of up to 25 years in prison.
The arrests in Queens came shortly after immigration raids in the Bronx, where another TdA gang member, Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, was apprehended by federal authorities. Zambrano-Pacheco is wanted in Colorado for first-degree burglary and menacing with a firearm, as well as kidnapping, extortion, and menacing. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies have dealt a significant blow to TdA’s operations in the U.S.
The case highlights the ongoing threat posed by transnational criminal organizations and the importance of targeting their illicit activities at the source. The successful operation against TdA demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle violent gangs and ensure the safety and security of communities.
