Federal authorities have confirmed the detention of 27 individuals with alleged ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua following a large-scale immigration operation in San Antonio. This significant Tren de Aragua raid operation, which took place early Sunday morning on November 16, 2025, saw over 150 immigrants detained from an “after-hours club” frequented by suspected gang members, shedding light on Tren de Aragua‘s extensive reach. The Tren de Aragua raid is part of a broader effort to curb gang activity US wide.
Operation Targets Tren de Aragua and Transnational Criminal Organization in Tren de Aragua Raid
The operation was led by the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), comprising Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies. The raid occurred near the intersection of San Pedro Avenue and Basse Road, targeting criminal activity linked to Tren de Aragua, an international gang with origins in Venezuela. This marks one of the initial significant actions by the newly established HSTF-South Texas, designed to combat transnational criminal organizations operating in the region, including the threat posed by Tren de Aragua. This particular Tren de Aragua raid highlights the effectiveness of such coordinated efforts.
Detentions and Identified Suspects in the Tren de Aragua Raid
Of the more than 150 individuals detained during the San Antonio immigration raid, 27 are alleged to have connections to TdA. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicly identified five of these individuals: Brayann Ibraynn Morales-Rodriguez, Yoibert Geraldo Caldera Pulido, Jeison Javier Perez, Roiberth Jesus Campos Duran, and Willy Yoel Arteaga-Tabares. Additionally, two other detainees, Marcelo Gomez-Gonzalez and Yormary Paola Aguilar Fuentes, were identified by DHS but not directly linked to TdA. Many of those detained are reportedly from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico, and other South American countries, potentially involved in the Venezuelan cartel operation. The Tren de Aragua raid resulted in these specific DHS detentions.
Tren de Aragua: A Growing U.S. Concern and Gang Activity US
Tren de Aragua, originating from a Venezuelan prison over a decade ago, has expanded its reach across Latin America and into the United States, fueled by the migration of Venezuelans. The gang is known for a range of serious criminal activities including murder, extortion, kidnapping, human trafficking, and human smuggling, rather than solely drug trafficking. The U.S. government has designated TdA as a transnational criminal organization and a Foreign Terrorist Organization, reflecting its growing threat to national security and public safety, and contributing to increased gang activity US wide. The Tren de Aragua raid is a direct response to this escalating threat.
Seizures and Criminal Charges in San Antonio Immigration Bust Linked to Tren de Aragua Raid
During the San Antonio immigration bust, authorities seized cocaine, three firearms, and approximately $35,000 in cash. The Tren de Aragua raid operation has also led to criminal charges against some individuals. Two men arrested are facing charges related to human smuggling and money laundering, while another is under investigation for cocaine trafficking. Marcos Contreras-Max and Edwin Javier Chinchilla-Lopez, both from Honduras and previously removed from the U.S., also appeared in federal court in connection with the operation, illustrating the scope of ICE detentions related to such activities and the impact of the Tren de Aragua raid on these broader enforcement efforts.
Broader Context and Enforcement Efforts Against Tren de Aragua
The raid and the focus on TdA align with the U.S. administration’s intensified efforts to combat transnational criminal gangs and disrupt their operations within the United States. Federal officials stated that the operation aims to dismantle criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua and prevent dangerous substances from entering American neighborhoods. However, the scale of the detentions has prompted some immigration attorneys to question the exact number of alleged gang members apprehended compared to the total number of undocumented immigrants detained. The operation, including the San Antonio immigration raid, has also seen protests expressing concerns about ICE’s involvement and the potential for human trafficking charges, underscoring the complex nature of tackling transnational criminal organizations.
This news highlights a significant law enforcement action against a pervasive criminal network and underscores the ongoing federal commitment to addressing immigration and national security challenges posed by organizations like Tren de Aragua, a key concern for the Homeland Security Task Force. The success of the Tren de Aragua raid signals a determined approach to combating this dangerous Venezuelan cartel.
