Over 40 Tren de Aragua Members Arrested [WATCH]

More than 40 individuals suspected of ties to the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) were arrested early Tuesday morning in Hays County, Texas, following a coordinated law enforcement operation.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed the arrests, which came after weeks of intelligence gathering and investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

According to the Texas DPS, the arrests were the result of a search warrant executed at a residence in Hays County, based on intelligence developed by the FBI San Antonio office. The operation was aimed at dismantling the gang’s influence and criminal activities within the state.

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Texas DPS posted on X:

“In recent days, [FBI San Antonio] developed intelligence regarding a possible gathering of suspected members or associates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Hays Co. Early Tuesday morning, a search warrant was executed by [Texas Department of Public Safety’s] Special Response Team at a residence in the area — resulting in more than 40 arrests.”

BREAKING: Joint TdA Operation Results in Over 40 Arrests in Hays Co.

In recent days, @FBISanAntonio developed intelligence regarding a possible gathering of suspected members or associates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) in Hays Co. Early Tuesday morning, a search… pic.twitter.com/MaZmb7m9w3

— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) April 2, 2025

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The operation involved a collaborative effort between several law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, the FBI, and various federal, state, and local partners.

The authorities have been investigating suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang for over a year, leading up to this major law enforcement action. The Texas DPS stated:

“For more than a year, law enforcement — including DPS, FBI, federal, state and local partners — have been investigating suspected TdA members, and Tuesday’s operation is a result of this collaborative effort to make Texas communities safer.”

While the exact charges related to the arrests are still under investigation, authorities confirmed that minors were among those taken into custody, and drug seizures were made during the search.

The investigation is ongoing, and more details are expected to be released as the case develops.

The arrests were met with support from local and state officials, including Representative Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who praised the work of the federal anti-gang task forces.

“Well done warriors! Federal anti-gang task forces work. Several weeks ago I led a roundtable where we discussed exactly this!” Gonzales posted on X.

Well done warriors! Federal anti-gang task forces work. Several weeks ago I led a roundtable where we discussed exactly this! https://t.co/SVlc3DDJ8J

— Tony Gonzales (@TonyGonzales4TX) April 2, 2025

Texas DPS press secretary Sheridan Nolen also expressed pride in the successful operation, emphasizing the importance of the coordinated efforts to combat criminal gangs.

“Right in your backyard. [Texas DPS] is proud to work with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep Texans safe and combat TdA.”

The Tren de Aragua gang, which originated in Venezuela, has been involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and organized violence.

The gang was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration, and efforts to arrest suspected members have ramped up since the designation.

In recent months, several individuals suspected of being affiliated with the gang have been apprehended and transported to prisons in El Salvador. Notably, 17 suspected members were being held at Guantanamo Bay as of early this week.

“In order to keep the American people safe, @POTUS designated the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) posted on X last week. “These criminals will no longer terrorize our communities and citizens.”

Last night, in a successful counter-terrorism operation with our allies in El Salvador, the United States military transferred a group of 17 violent criminals from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 organizations, including murderers and rapists.

In order to keep the American people…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 31, 2025

Additionally, there is an ongoing federal court battle between the Trump administration and U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg over the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to facilitate the removal of suspected gang members.

BREAKING: 40 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members and affiliates arrested in a massive operation near Austin, TX.

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The case of the 17 individuals being held at Guantanamo Bay was conducted under Title 8, according to the White House, as reported by Fox News.

As the investigation continues, authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the threat posed by the Tren de Aragua gang and other criminal organizations operating within the United States.

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