In a significant operation, San Antonio law enforcement arrested 20 individuals associated with the transnational Tren de Aragua gang according to Breitbart.
Early on Saturday, a large-scale raid targeting gang-related activities took place at a north-side apartment complex in San Antonio, Texas. The operation was carried out by a coalition of agencies, including the San Antonio Police, the Texas Department of Public Safety Anti-Gang Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the U.S. Border Patrol.
This raid followed numerous complaints from the community concerning alarming activities such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, and threats orchestrated by the members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.
San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus indicated that these activities had become so pervasive that the gang members effectively controlled the area.
The capture of these individuals confirms that transnational gangs from South America are establishing footholds in the United States which is an issue former President Donald Trump has been warning Americans about for years.
Now Trump's warnings have come to fruition thanks to the open southern border letting criminals pour in and set up shop in the United States to terrorize Americans and engage in illegal activities like drug and human trafficking.
Chief Bill McManus shared that nearly 300 vacant apartments were cleared by officers as part of the operation. This extensive clearing underscores the scale and preparedness of law enforcement to counteract the gang's foothold in the community. "One TdA member is confirmed to be an enforcer for that gang," McManus stated, highlighting the significance of the individuals captured during the raid.
The raid was not just about immediate arrests but also served as a strategic disruption of the gang's operations in Texas. A total of twenty people were detained, four of whom are confirmed members of the TdA gang, now in custody under ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the raid and reinforced his stance on gang activity. "We will not tolerate this gang in Texas," Abbott declared, indicating a strong, ongoing state-level response to gang proliferation. His message was clear about his administration's commitment to identifying and dismantling gang networks: "Our goal is to make sure we find them, identify them, locate them, arrest them, and lock them up."
Part of the broader concern tied to this case is the implications of national border security policies. Texas Congressman Chip Roy attributed the rise in gang activity to what he described as "open border policies" under the current administration, emphasizing a direct criticism of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The congressman also took to social media to commend the law enforcement entities involved in the operations against the TdA gang. His post underlined the bipartisan appreciation for the law enforcement efforts despite his criticisms of federal policies.
As for the local community, Chief McManus reassured residents and the public of continued vigilance and action against the gang activities that have troubled the city. "We assure the community and members of the public that we are committed to their safety, and we are on top of this TdA issue that seems to have become very public lately," McManus asserted.
The chief's statements did not just focus on the current raid but also hint at future actions. "This is not the last TdA gang enforcement on their horizon," he warned, signaling a sustained campaign. His direct message to the gang members was, "We’re on to you, we’re coming for you, and we know where you are."
This raid is part of broader ongoing efforts to suppress the activities of the Tren de Aragua gang, especially given their ties to serious criminal enterprises like human trafficking and narcotics.