Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently announced the apprehension of four confirmed members of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), attempting to illegally enter the United States through the southern border in Val Verde County. These individuals were part of a larger group of 22 suspected illegal migrants apprehended on New Year's Eve by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Governor Abbott emphasized the state's commitment to the safety and security of Texans, particularly against the escalating threat posed by Tren de Aragua. The apprehended migrants originated from Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. Eleven individuals were arrested for criminal trespass, while the remaining migrants, comprising family groups, were referred to Border Patrol for processing.
The four identified TdA members were among nine Venezuelan nationals who stated their intention to travel to various Texas cities, including San Antonio, Irving, and Corsicana. DPS special agents confirmed their gang affiliation through examination of social media applications on their phones and their distinctive tattoos. The individuals were identified as Segundo Ocando-Mejia, 39; Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, 27; Antonio Joe Urruttia-Rojas, 18; and Levi Jesus Urrutia-Blanco, 18. Ocando-Mejia's shoulder tattoos suggested a potential leadership role within the gang.
Governor Abbott has designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization and initiated a statewide operation in September to actively target and disrupt their criminal activities. He elevated TdA to a Tier 1 gang classification within DPS and established a dedicated TdA Strike Team to apprehend gang members. Abbott expressed his unwavering stance against the gang's presence and operations within Texas. TdA has been implicated in a range of violent crimes, including murder, assaults on police officers, robberies, and smuggling firearms into migrant shelters. Reports indicate their operations extend across at least 16 states.
The Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of suspected or known TdA members involved in criminal activities. This recent apprehension follows the arrest of 22 TdA members in New York City just days prior, some of whom were discovered hiding near a daycare center, highlighting the gang's integration into communities.
