Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that four members of the Venezuelan gang Torren de Aragua (TdA) have been arrested while attempting to illegally enter the United States from the southern border.
The four TdA members were among 22 suspected illegal immigrants arrested on New Year's Eve by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) working in Val Verde County.
“Our top priority is the safety and security of Texans, including responding to the growing threat of Tren de Aragua,” Abbott said in a statement.
The Abbott government, which is cracking down on gangs terrorizing communities across the country, said the 22 migrants were from Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. Eleven of the 22 people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing, and the rest, a family group, were sent to the Border Patrol for processing.
Venezuelan immigrant gang Torren de Aragua now active in 16 states: report
Torren de Aragua member arrested in Texas. (Fox News)
The four TdA members were among a group of nine Venezuelans who claimed to be headed to San Antonio, Irving, and Corsicana, Texas. DPS special agents were able to confirm gang affiliation through social media apps on his cell phone and tattoos, Abbott said.
The person was identified as Segundo Ocando Mejia, 39. Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, 27 years old. Antonio Joe Urrutia-Rojas, 18 years old. and Levi Jesús Urrutia-Blanco, 18 years old.
Abbott said Occando-Mejia had a tattoo on his shoulder that could indicate rank or leadership within the gang.
Migrants rush through razor wire holes in Texas in April. (David Paynado/ZUMA Presswire)
Venezuelan gang member involved in violent apartment takeover arrested in New York City
Mr. Abbott designated the TdA as a foreign terrorist organization and said in September he launched a state-wide operation to actively target the TdA to disrupt its criminal activities. He directed DPS to promote them to Tier 1 gang status and created the TdA Strike Team to identify and arrest TdA gang members.
Abbott said he will not tolerate gangs operating or gaining a foothold in Texas.
The gang has been involved in all kinds of violent crimes, including murders, shootings of police officers, assaults, robberies, and smuggling guns into immigrant shelters. A Department of Homeland Security memo cited by the New York Post in November said it operates in at least 16 states.
“Until President Trump returns to the White House to secure our border, Texas will continue to hunt down dangerous criminals like TdA, put them behind bars and protect Texans from these violent gangs,” Abbott said. said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said he will not allow TdA to gain a foothold in Texas. (FOX News Photo/Joshua Commins)
Abbott announced that his Department of Public Safety will offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of a known or suspected TdA gang member who has or is involved in criminal activity. .
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The news comes days after 22 members of the TdA gang were arrested in two raids in New York City.
Several people hiding in a Bronx apartment next to a day care center have been arrested, law enforcement officials told Fox News, underscoring how integrated the gang is into the sanctuary city's general population.
