A significant multi-agency operation in San Antonio has led to the detention of over 150 immigrants, with federal officials identifying 27 individuals suspected of ties to the Venezuelan transnational criminal organization, Tren de Aragua. This Tren de Aragua bust is part of a larger effort to combat transnational crime and disrupt the operations of this dangerous gang. The scale of this Tren de Aragua bust highlights the growing threat posed by this Venezuelan criminal organization.
Coordinated Law Enforcement Disrupts Tren de Aragua Network
The raid, conducted early Sunday, November 16, 2025, was a joint effort involving the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF-South Texas), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alongside other federal and state law enforcement partners. Authorities targeted an “after-hours club” located near the intersection of San Pedro Avenue and Basse Road, which was reportedly frequented by alleged members of TdA. This operation is part of a broader initiative by the newly established HSTF-South Texas aimed at dismantling criminal organizations like the Tren de Aragua operating in the region.
Tren de Aragua: A Growing Concern in U.S. Immigration and Gang Activity
Tren de Aragua, originating from a Venezuelan prison, has expanded its reach across Latin America and into the United States, largely propelled by the mass migration of Venezuelans. The gang is known for a wide array of criminal activities, including contract killings, extortion, human smuggling, drug trafficking, and sexual exploitation. U.S. authorities have increasingly focused on the gang, with the Treasury Department designating it a “transnational criminal organization” and the State Department offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of its leaders. The presence of Tren de Aragua poses a significant threat, contributing to increased gang activity.
Identified Suspects and Tren de Aragua Arrests
Of the more than 150 individuals detained, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified five as alleged Tren de Aragua members: Brayann Ibraynn Morales-Rodriguez, Yoibert Geraldo Caldera Pulido, Jeison Javier Perez, Roiberth Jesus Campos Duran, and Willy Yoel Arteaga-Tabares. Some of these individuals have prior records, including alleged illegal entry after deportation, larceny, and theft, highlighting the challenges associated with San Antonio immigration enforcement and identifying members of criminal enterprises like the Tren de Aragua.
Beyond the alleged TdA members, the operation led to other arrests. Two individuals were taken into custody on accusations of human smuggling and money laundering, and another for cocaine trafficking. Furthermore, Marcos Contreras-Max and Edwin Javier Chinchilla-Lopez, both from Honduras, made their initial court appearances on charges of illegal re-entry, having been previously removed from the U.S..
Seizures and Broader Implications for the Tren de Aragua Investigation
During the raid, law enforcement officials recovered a significant amount of evidence, including cocaine, three firearms, and approximately $35,000 in cash. The operation underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the challenges of identifying individuals with alleged criminal affiliations within large groups of migrants. Immigration attorneys have raised questions about the identification process, with one noting the difficulty of over a hundred alleged gang members congregating in one location. This DHS bust offers crucial insights into the reach of the Tren de Aragua and the success of this major immigration operation. The impact of this Tren de Aragua bust is still being assessed.
This coordinated bust highlights the ongoing efforts by federal agencies and task forces to combat sophisticated criminal schemes and protect communities from transnational organized crime. The news serves as a critical update in the ongoing efforts to track and dismantle dangerous criminal networks like the Tren de Aragua operating within the United States. The investigation and subsequent proceedings are part of the broader immigration news surrounding border security and gang activity, with this particular focus on the Venezuelan criminal organization. The ICE arrests in San Antonio, part of the San Antonio raid, are a key development in this ongoing battle, representing a significant Tren de Aragua bust.
