The arrest of four Tren de Aragua gang members on New Year’s Eve highlights Texas’s ongoing battle against international crime along its southern border.
Operation Lone Star Nabs Gang Members
Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers arrested four members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua at the Texas-Mexico border. The apprehensions took place in Val Verde County, part of the state’s larger Operation Lone Star, announced by Governor Greg Abbott as an effort to combat international criminal gangs attempting illegal entry into the United States.
Texas DPS troopers arrested 4 confirmed Tren de Aragua members who attempted to illegally cross the border on New Year’s Eve.
Texas will continue to hunt down TdA & put them behind bars.
More: https://t.co/b5Y9xPe5Um pic.twitter.com/qQ8G7ybMqR
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 3, 2025
Governor Abbott confirmed the arrests of Segundo Ocando-Mejia, Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, Antonio Joe Urruttia-Rojas, and Levi Jesus Urrutia-Blanco. These individuals were detained alongside 22 immigrants from various countries, including Venezuela, and are suspected of posing a serious threat to security. Eleven were charged with criminal trespass.
NEW: 4 confirmed Tren de Aragua members were in a group encountered by Texas DPS Troopers on New Year’s Eve after they crossed into Eagle Pass—The #TdA affiliation was confirmed by @TxDPS special agents.@GovAbbott said today, “Our top priority is the safety and security of… pic.twitter.com/nW2wt1qdkg
— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) January 3, 2025
Gang Identified Through Careful Investigation
During interviews, DPS troopers grew suspicious of the behavior of four Venezuelan men. Subsequent examination of their cell phones confirmed these individuals’ affiliation with Tren de Aragua. This gang is notorious for criminal activities such as extortion and drug and human trafficking. Due to identifiable tattoos, Ocando-Mejia is suspected of holding a leadership position within the gang.
“Four confirmed members of a violent Venezuelan gang were arrested after attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas on New Year’s Eve.” Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The gang’s origins trace back to Venezuela in the early 2000s, beginning as a prison gang before expanding its operations across Latin America and into the U.S. Its expansion led to Governor Abbott’s decision to classify the group as a foreign terrorist organization, fortifying Texas’s stance against them.
Ongoing Operations and Implications
The arrests underscore Texas’s resolve to maintain state security. Governor Abbott declared safety against the Tren de Aragua gang a top priority, reinforcing his administration’s dedication to combating these threats with rigorous measures. This includes forming a Tier 1 gang classification and a special strike team focused on eliminating this menace.
“Our top priority is the safety and security of Texans, including against the growing threat of Tren de Aragua” – Governor Abbott.
Governor Abbott has also incentivized public cooperation in these efforts by offering rewards for information leading to the gang’s capture. The arrests have been part of a broader crackdown on gangs, signaling an unyielding stance on border security.
