In a significant law enforcement operation in Texas, 20 individuals were apprehended in a raid on a largely deserted apartment complex in San Antonio.
This building was under the control of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, a criminal organization exported from Venezuela. The gang had been exploiting the property as a hub for their illicit activities, as they sought to expand their criminal reach across Texas.
According to The Post Millennial, the police task force stormed the building, conducting a thorough investigation of all 300 vacant units at the Palatia Apartments, located on the city's North Side. San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) Chief William McManus revealed this information during a press conference. The organized crime group has been recently designated as a "terrorist" organization by Gov. Greg Abbott.
The SAPD had been alerted by vigilant citizens about suspicious activities at the apartment complex. These activities included reports of drug sales, human trafficking, and threats to the remaining residents. "We had information that members of the transnational gang Tren de Agua were in control of the area and committing various crimes," McManus disclosed.
Of the 20 individuals arrested, 19 have been charged, with several already on the police's wanted list. The operation, dubbed "Operation Aurora," was a joint effort involving officers from the SAPD, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Customs and Border Protection, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and Homeland Security Investigations. This operation forms part of a broader state strategy aimed at curbing the growth of Tren de Aragua. The gang's members in San Antonio have been implicated in crimes such as prostitution, cocaine trafficking, and extortion.
Chief McManus revealed that the gang had been operating in San Antonio for "several months," identifying themselves through tattoo branding and the wearing of red clothing. "We assure the community and members of the public that we are committed to their safety and on top of this TDA issue that seems to have gone very public lately," McManus stated. He also issued a stern warning to the gang, stating, "We are onto you. We are coming for you and we know where you are."
Previously, the criminal organization had taken over a hotel in El Paso. The gang also gained national attention when it was discovered that they had seized control of an apartment complex in Colorado, extorting "rent" money from the tenants. This recent operation in San Antonio is a clear indication of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle such criminal organizations and ensure public safety.
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