What we know about the rise of Venezuelan gang activity in Texas

The threat from the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is becoming increasingly apparent in Texas as more and more crime-related incidents linked to the group are reported across the state.

Government officials have described Tren de Aragua as a “most dangerous and organized” group that poses a Tier 1 threat to Texas.

Here’s what we know so far.

Who is Tren de Aragua and why are they considered dangerous?

Tren de Aragua started as a South American prison gang, but is now an international organization known for extreme violence, extortion and human trafficking. have activities expanded in Texas in recent months.

While the number of members in Texas is unclear, the gang is believed to have one has recruited thousands of members in Venezuela and other countries, government officials say.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott called TdA a “foreign terrorist organization,” prompting law enforcement agencies to designate the group as a Tier 1 threat to the state. This designation highlights gangs as a priority for law enforcement, and members of Level 1 gangs may face increased prison sentences and civil penalties..

Other Tier 1 gangs include infamous prison gangs, the Texas Syndicate and the Mexican Mafia, as well as the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, the Crips, the Bloods and the Latin Kings.

What are the police doing to tackle this problem?

Texas authorities are building a database and mobilizing a strike force made up of state troopers, Texas Rangers and local law enforcement to monitor the gang members.

FBI officials in Dallas said in a statement that it “pursues violent gangs with its local and state partners through the Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force and works closely with the community to develop resources and generate leads.”

Where has evidence of activity been found in Tren de Aragua?

An El Paso hotel was temporarily closed due to a spike in crime linked to Tren de Aragua gang members. Undocumented immigrants and gang members, including one “an unspecified number of suspected members of the Venezuelan gang”, were arrested earlier this summer on charges of assault, drugs and prostitution.

Authorities in Houston and San Antonio announced the arrests of several people linked to Tren de Aragua in early October. One arrest was made in Houston, while a raid on an apartment in San Antonio led to 19 arrests. four of which are alleged TdA members.

Dallas police also said its department has had gang activity related to TdA in the North Dallas area. In addition, three men with alleged ties to TdA were arrested Monday in connection with an August murder in Farmers Branch.

Farmers Branch detectives are still searching for the fourth suspect, Jhonny Jesus Martinez Serrano.