Texas law enforcement has searched a vacant San Antonio apartment complex that was under the “control” of the notorious Torren de Aragua gang, who used the building as a base for their crimes, officials said.
San Antonio Police Chief McManus announced Saturday morning that a multi-agency task force had cleared more than 300 vacant units at Palatia Apartments on the city's north side. told reporters at a press conference.
Police said SAPD had received several complaints from the apartment about drugs, human trafficking and threats against apartment staff.
“We have received information that members of the transnational gang Torren de Agua control the area and are committing various crimes,” McManus said.
He said 20 people were arrested, four of whom were confirmed members of Torren de Agua, one of whom was an “enforcer.”
Nineteen of those detained were charged. Officials said several of those arrested had active warrants.
The apartment was searched by a joint team of personnel from SAPD, Texas Department of Public Safety, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The arrests came after weeks of investigation as part of SAPD's “Operation Aurora” program, part of a broader effort to destroy Torren de Aragua's influence in Texas.
Authorities believe Torren de Aragua, of San Antonio, is involved in prostitution, cocaine sales and other violent crimes. According to News4SA.
McManus said Saturday that the gang has been operating in the area for “several months.”
He said they have identification tattoos and are known to wear red clothing.
“We want to assure the community and the public that we are committed to their safety and to addressing this TDA issue that seems to have become very public these days,” McManus said. said.
Saturday's raid was the first known gang stronghold by law enforcement, but the chief said there are “other locations we plan to raid.”
“We're counting on you,” he told the gang members. “We're coming for you, and we know where you are.”
The group that violently stormed the border in El Paso, Texas, in March included more than 100 people believed to be members of Tren de Aragua (TdA).
Since then, the gang has established a presence across the country, taking over an apartment building in Colorado, a hotel near the Texas border in El Paso, and allegedly shooting a police officer in New York.
According to leaked law enforcement memos obtained by the newspaper last month, Torren de Agua lured women into sex trafficking and forced them to sell their bodies in American cities to pay exorbitant smuggling fees. is known nationwide.
In the Big Apple, Torren de Aragua is trying to recruit foot soldiers to force women into sex trafficking to fund his gang operations.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared prison gangs a foreign terrorist organization.
