The violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is linked to more than 100 criminal investigations in the United States, according to a report on Wednesday. NBC News report.
The news agency reported that U.S. law enforcement and immigration authorities have launched an investigation into shootings and sex trafficking crimes linked to the criminal organization.
The NYPD calls Tren de Aragua members “ghost criminals” because there is little to identify them beyond their gang-related tattoos.
“Their identities may have been false. Their dates of birth may have been false,” NYPD Deputy Chief of Detectives Jason Savino told NBC News.
“Any information about that person could be misrepresented,” he added.
Before reaching the U.S.-Mexico border, many illegal immigrants throw away their identification and passports to prevent law enforcement officers from checking their identities.
Venezuela has not cooperated with the United States in providing criminal history information for its citizens, meaning Customs and Border Protection agents have little information about the potential criminal histories of Venezuelan nationals crossing the border. Additionally, Venezuela has largely refused to accept deportation flights.
Former Border Patrol agent Ammon Blair told NBC News that US border agents can only find out about a Venezuelan national’s criminal history if they receive a tip from Interpol or if the person already has a criminal record in the US.
DHS’s Homeland Security Investigations told the news agency that there are more than 100 ongoing investigations involving gang members.
Last month, HSI arrested three members of the Tren de Aragua gang for operating a sex trafficking ring in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The gang members allegedly forced Venezuelan women into sex work to repay debts to smugglers who brought them to the U.S. The three were reportedly arrested by Border Patrol agents in Texas after illegally crossing into the U.S., but were later released.
Law enforcement in Indiana is investigating another alleged sex trafficking operation involving members of Tren de Aragua.
June 3rd, Two NYPD officers shot The attack was carried out by a Venezuelan national living illegally in the US who is believed to be a gang member, and NBC News reported that it was unclear whether the suspect’s gang affiliations were known to Venezuelan authorities.
“The group has an established presence in many South American countries but there is now evidence it is expanding its activities northwards, including to Mexico and the United States, and key members of Tren de Aragua have already been identified,” an Interpol spokesman said.
A DHS spokesperson told NBC News, “DHS screens and certifies individuals before they enter the United States. If an individual poses a threat to national security or public safety, DHS may deny entry, detain, remove, or refer them to other federal agencies for further identification, investigation, and prosecution as appropriate.”
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