ICE Raids Infamous Tren de Aragua Stronghold in Colorado, Arrests 100+ Suspects [WATCH]

Federal immigration officers carried out a pre-dawn raid in Aurora, Colorado, targeting a well-known stronghold of the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stormed the Whispering Pines Apartments at approximately 6 a.m., executing a planned operation aimed at dismantling gang-controlled operations in the area.

Armed with a warrant, ICE agents went door to door, marking doors with red tape where no one answered and green tape where contact was made.

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According to sources on the ground, at least six men were handcuffed and taken into custody.

The raid follows days of surveillance by ICE, which had been tracking a specific member of the South American gang known for operating a significant cocaine distribution network in the area.

While ICE has not confirmed whether the targeted individual was among those arrested, authorities have made clear that this operation is part of a broader effort to crack down on the TdA’s activities in the United States.

As part of the enforcement action, additional raids were conducted at multiple locations in the Denver metro area.

ICE officials confirmed the scope of the operation in a statement, saying, “100+ members of the violent gang Tren de Aragua were targeted for arrest and detention in Aurora, Colo., today by ICE and its partners.”

100+ members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were targeted for arrest and detention in Aurora, Colo., today by ICE and its partners @FBI @DEAHQ @CBP @ATFHQ & @USMarshalsHQ in an ongoing investigation. pic.twitter.com/LzIVDjsee6

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 5, 2025

The Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization, has spread rapidly across the United States, with its members linked to violent crimes, including assault, human trafficking, and drug distribution.

The gang has used apartment complexes like Whispering Pines to expand its criminal operations, seizing control of vacant units and converting them into hubs for drug sales and prostitution.

According to reports, TdA members have exploited both empty and occupied apartments to generate revenue.

They have forced migrants to pay rent on illegally occupied units or turned them into dens for trafficking operations. The gang has also extorted legal residents, demanding payments to avoid violence.

One incident detailed how a migrant woman and her husband were attacked after refusing to comply with TdA’s demands.

The woman was scalded with boiling water by gang members as a warning to others who might resist.

Footage from at least one of these raids was posted on social media Wednesday, showing ICE agents executing their operation.

#DEA RMFD serving a search warrant in support of @DHSgov operations taking place throughout the metro area this morning. pic.twitter.com/vzUefuvPfd

— DEARockyMountain (@DEAROCKYMTNDiv) February 5, 2025

The Aurora raids are part of a larger crackdown under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on dismantling transnational criminal organizations operating within the U.S. Law enforcement officials have increasingly targeted known TdA locations, following reports of the gang’s involvement in a wave of violent crimes across multiple states.

Time and again, criminal aliens prey on their own communities with sanctuary policies, knowing they’re free to commit crimes without repercussion. ICE & its partners @FBI @DEAHQ @CBP @ATFHQ & @USMarshalsHQ are in Aurora, Colo., today to remove this very real public safety threat. pic.twitter.com/L0KtxySl0f

— ERO Denver (@ERODenver) February 5, 2025

ICE, along with other federal and local law enforcement agencies, has intensified efforts to combat criminal networks tied to illegal immigration.

Authorities have linked the Tren de Aragua to an increase in organized crime, from violent robberies to human trafficking rings, raising concerns about public safety in affected communities.

As law enforcement operations continue, officials have emphasized that they are committed to ensuring that gang-controlled areas are dismantled and that those responsible for criminal activity face justice.

Further arrests and enforcement actions are expected in the coming weeks as authorities continue their pursuit of TdA members across the country.

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