Raids Target Human Trafficking Operation in Texas
Authorities reported that over 140 undocumented immigrants were apprehended during a raid on a sex and human trafficking operation in San Antonio, attributed to the Tren de Aragua gang. This operation took place on Monday, as stated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The raid was part of a collaborative effort among the Texas Department of Public Safety and various federal and local agencies. On the same day, a regional Homeland Security Task Force was established to tackle transnational criminal entities. The aim is to dismantle drug cartels, terrorist organizations, and various criminal networks involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering.
This initiative follows President Donald Trump’s executive order from January 20 aimed at combatting transnational crime.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended individuals from countries including Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico, and other South American regions. Multiple federal agencies played roles in the operation.
Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Office, praised the task force, noting that the DEA’s advanced investigative capabilities have been vital in capturing some of the most violent drug trafficking organizations domestically and globally.
“We anticipate working with federal and state partners to disrupt the drug traffickers who jeopardize our neighborhoods and erode our communities,” he added.
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro from Texas, whose brother previously served as the mayor of San Antonio, has expressed interest in obtaining additional details about the raid, mentioning that similar operations have led to arrests of both U.S. citizens and immigrants without criminal histories.
Meanwhile, in Houston, there were reports of ICE arresting 3,500 undocumented immigrants, including individuals convicted of serious crimes such as child predation and murder, during a 43-day governmental standoff.
Among those taken into custody in the San Antonio raid, authorities noted there were 13 convicted murderers, 51 child predators, 67 sex offenders, and 23 gang members, including one linked to a triple homicide in Dallas.
