Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of members of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, which is spreading terror across the United States.
The Republican leader announced the bounty on Monday, making clear that Texas authorities have no intention of making concessions to a dangerous gang that has smuggled people into the U.S. along with millions of other border crossers in recent years and has mushroomed into a criminal enterprise.
“Tren de Aragua spreads terror and carnage in every country they visit, and Texas will not allow them to gain a foothold in our state,” said Governor Abbott. He said in a statement.
“Today, I am announcing a reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of known or suspected members of this gang who have engaged in or are involved in violent crimes.
“Texas will not allow these thugs to use our state as a base of operations to terrorize our residents.”
Tren de Aragua reportedly traffics guns, drugs and women in all 50 states, including New York, Chicago and other less-popular areas.
As reported recently in The Wall Street Journal, one federal official called the gang “MS-13 on steroids,” a reference to the bloodthirsty South American street gang that has terrorized Long Island in recent years.
Governor Abbott's announcement on Monday came after he designated Tren de Aragua a Foreign Terrorist Organization as part of a statewide operation to crack down on the group and its criminal activities.
He said anyone with information about gangs should call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or report it online, where tips are anonymous and callers will receive a tip number.
The governor's office stressed that residents should not try to apprehend suspected gang members on their own.
“With the cooperation of the public and the hard work of federal, state and local law enforcement, we will be able to arrest these dangerous gang members and put them behind bars for good,” Gov. Abbott said Monday.
