{"id":2601380,"date":"2026-05-11T17:30:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T21:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-charges-over-25-in-nationwide-crackdown-on-tren-de-aragua\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T17:31:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T21:31:02","slug":"doj-charges-over-25-in-nationwide-crackdown-on-tren-de-aragua","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-charges-over-25-in-nationwide-crackdown-on-tren-de-aragua\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ charges over 25 in nationwide crackdown on Tren de Aragua"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-charges-over-25-in-nationwide-crackdown-on-tren-de-aragua%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2601380&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against more then 25 people in a nationwide crackdown on Venezuela\u2019s tren de Aragua gang.Prosecutors said the operation resulted in the seizure of over 80 firearms and about 40 pounds of narcotics across multiple federal jurisdictions, with cases tied to investigations under Homeland Security task Force efforts. The defendants-described as Venezuelan, Colombian, and Honduran nationals in the United States illegally-face allegations including firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and possessing guns in connection with drug crimes, reflecting the gang\u2019s alleged network activity in U.S. cities.<\/p>\n<p>Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the takedown is part of a broader effort to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mexican-capo-ovidio-guzman-extradited-to-us-in-win-on-fentanyl-war\/\" title=\"Mexican drug lord Ovidio Guzman extradited to US, a victory in the fight against fentanyl.\">dismantle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blackburn-cartels-traffickers-exploiting-unfinished-border-wall-construction\/\" title=\"Blackburn: Cartels, Traffickers Exploiting Unfinished Border Wall Construction\">transnational criminal organizations<\/a><\/a>, while FBI Director Kash Patel pointed to the scale of the operation. Tren de Aragua, originally linked to a Venezuelan prison, has been associated by U.S. officials with violent crimes and has also been cited in immigration enforcement actions. The latest crackdown builds on a previous DOJ action in December 2025, and the DOJ says that since January 2025 more than 260 alleged gang members have been federally indicted.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"167\">Department of Justice<\/a> on Monday announced criminal charges against more than 25 people in a nationwide crackdown targeting <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/venezuela\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"910\">Venezuela\u2019s<\/a> Tren de Aragua gang, saying the operation resulted in the seizure of more than 80 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/firearms\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"194\">firearms<\/a> and 40 pounds of narcotics across multiple states.<\/p>\n<p>Federal prosecutors said the defendants, many of whom they said are Venezuelan, Colombian, and Honduran nationals in the United States illegally, were charged as part of the Homeland Security Task Force investigations targeting the gang, which the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a> designated a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lawmakers-consider-enacting-statute-to-increase-punishments-for-domestic-terrorism\/\" title=\"Lawmakers consider enacting statute to increase punishments for domestic terrorism\">foreign terrorist organization<\/a> in January 2025.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4563416\/paxton-sues-netflix-spying-tracking-data\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Ken Paxton sues Netflix for \u2018spying\u2019 on users and tracking data<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4563087\/rand-paul-calls-doj-charge-fauci-final-day-statute-limitations\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Rand Paul calls for DOJ to charge Fauci on final day before statute of limitations expires<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4562069\/trump-attacks-comey-after-judge-trial-date\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump renews attacks on Comey day after judge sets trial date<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The cases were across six federal jurisdictions, including Colorado, southern Florida, northern Indiana, middle and western Tennessee, and eastern Washington. <\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The charges vary by case but include firearms trafficking, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/drug-trafficking\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17682\">drug trafficking<\/a>, money laundering, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug crimes, according to the DOJ. Prosecutors allege the defendants played roles in criminal networks tied to Tren de Aragua, which U.S. officials say has expanded operations into American cities in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>Acting Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/todd-blanche\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"20883\">Todd Blanche <\/a>said the operation reflects the administration\u2019s broader effort to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >dismantle transnational criminal organizations operating<\/a> in the U.S.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn a few days, the Justice Department and its partners on Joint Task Force Vulcan carried out a nationwide takedown of vicious Tren de Aragua terrorist networks \u2014 depraved, violent offenders who have illegally invaded our country and preyed upon American communities,\u201d <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/more-25-defendants-charged-nationwide-tren-de-aragua-crackdown-resulting-seizure-over-80\">Blanche said<\/a>. \u201cThis effort underscores the Trump Administration\u2019s dedication to restoring public safety, dismantling violent firearms and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/congressional-report-opioid-overdoses-cost-u-s-1-trillion-annually\/\" title=\"Congressional Report: Opioid Overdoses Cost U.S.  Trillion Annually\">drug trafficking networks<\/a>, and enforcing law and order.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Tren de Aragua, which originated in a Venezuelan prison, has increasingly become a focus of federal law enforcement and immigration policy. U.S. officials have linked the gang to violent crimes in cities including New York, Denver, and Chicago, while immigration authorities have used alleged gang ties as a reason for deportations and enforcement actions.<\/p>\n<p>The latest operation builds on an earlier DOJ crackdown in December 2025, when prosecutors unsealed charges against more than 70 alleged gang members and associates nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>Since January 2025, the DOJ says more than 260 alleged Tren de Aragua members have been federally indicted.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4563517\/supreme-court-temporarily-preserves-online-abortion-pill-sales\/\"><strong>SUPREME COURT TEMPORARILY PRESERVES ONLINE ABORTION PILL SALES<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>FBI Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kash-patel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11691\">Kash Patel<\/a> also commented on the charges announced Monday, noting the scale of the operation. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a massive and impactful takedown of over 25 TdA terrorists who wreaked havoc on our streets,\u201d  Patel said. \u201cThe FBI and our fiercely dedicated federal, state, and local partners continue to put criminals trafficking drugs and guns endangering American lives, in prison in huge numbers. HSTF\u2019s goal is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations in the United States by using all available law enforcement tools to do so.\u201d  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ charges 25+ in nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2601381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26124596569167.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[33310,7076,79491,39668],"class_list":["post-2601380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-criminal-charges","tag-doj","tag-nationwide-crackdown","tag-tren-de-aragua"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26124596569167.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2601380"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601380\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2601384,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601380\/revisions\/2601384"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2601381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2601380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2601380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2601380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}