The Tren de Aragua (TdA), a notorious gang, has extended its reign of terror to Utah, marking the 17th state in which it operates, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The gang's activities have seen a significant rise in recent months, particularly within immigrant communities in Utah, as reported by The Post Millennial.
Utah State Representative Matt MacPherson, a Republican representing the western areas of Salt Lake County, revealed that he was "tipped off by a constituent" about the plight of some Venezuelan residents in West Valley City. These individuals had reportedly been hiding from the gang for several weeks earlier this year. The gang's threats and extortion tactics have also been directed at other Venezuelan immigrants, according to MacPherson.
During the Venezuelan elections in the summer, a gathering of Venezuelans in Herriman, Utah, watched the results unfold. However, after the event, many attendees believed they were followed home by TdA members, according to MacPherson and an anonymous local source. The representative quoted a Venezuelan family in West Valley City, stating that "many of them and their friends and neighbors in that [Venezuelan] community believed that they were tailed home by gang members." The family also reported that TdA was "extorting them for money, usually small amounts, $10 or $20" and pressuring immigrants for protection money, claiming to shield them from local law enforcement and deportation.
The threat posed by TdA has escalated, as confirmed by local police who informed MacPherson of a "noticeable increase in the amount of threats" in his district. These threats encompass drug crimes, extortion, and racketeering. A law enforcement source in Utah also recently revealed a "big surge of [TdA] in Utah" in general.
Carlos Moreno, a Venezuelan-born naturalized US citizen and newly elected member of the Salt Lake County Council District 2, shed light on the gang's illicit activities. He noted the rise of prostitution, particularly in Herriman, and claimed that the gang has established a prostitution business."
In September, a gang-related shooting involving "Venezuelan groups" occurred in Herriman. This incident was recently confirmed to be linked to TdA, according to KUTV, resulting in charges against five young men. Furthermore, in Millcreek, Utah, three TdA members reportedly held up four people at gunpoint, forcing them into prostitution. Another woman, believed to be a victim of the same treatment, was reportedly being held at a local hotel in West Valley by the gang members.
A Utah local originally from South America expressed concern about the rapid spread of the gang, stating, I lived in South America, people don't really understand how fast these people spread. It's insane." He added, The fact that [TdA is] here and we're just finding about the ones that we can find, means that there's a lot more.
The escalating presence and activities of TdA in Utah underscore the urgent need for robust law enforcement measures to protect vulnerable immigrant communities. The gang's expansion into 17 states is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by authorities in combating organized crime, particularly within immigrant communities. The testimonies of those directly affected by the gang's activities highlight the pressing need for decisive action to curb the gang's influence and protect the rights and safety of all residents.
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