An extensive operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), involving multiple federal agencies, has targeted a notorious Venezuelan gang in Colorado.
Early morning raids in Denver and Aurora sought to detain over 100 gang members, primarily from the violent Tren de Aragua gang, involved in illicit activities like drug trafficking, Fox News reported.
The operation was coordinated from the ICE Denver office located within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building. It included significant participation from the FBI, DEA, CBP, ATF, and U.S. Marshals.
In Aurora, where most of the raids occurred, the enforcement efforts focused on individuals connected to Tren de Aragua, known for their extensive criminal network. The exact number of detainees remains unclear.
The DEA's Rocky Mountain Division played a crucial role in executing search warrants on the day of the raids. Their activity was captured in a video showing agents at various locations across Denver.
One particular site of interest was the Cedar Run Apartments in Denver, a location recently marred by drug-related fatalities. An undercover FBI agent appeared at this location, indicating the high priority of the raid.
Residents of Cedar Run Apartments reported encounters with law enforcement seeking information about undocumented neighbors. One resident expressed distress over the situation, emphasizing a strong reluctance to provide any information that could endanger their neighbors.
"It’s insulting and infuriating because I would never snitch on my neighbors. They have every right to be here. And I would never want to put anyone through that sort of stress. They just don’t deserve that."
This statement conveys the tension between community ties and law enforcement objectives in neighborhoods affected by the operation.
ERO Denver took to social media to defend the raids, citing public safety concerns and criticizing sanctuary policies for providing a haven for criminals. The agency stressed that removing these criminal elements was crucial for the well-being of the community.
Their post, which confirmed the operation and its scope, emphasized the start of a sustained effort to dismantle this gang's influence in the area. The public safety threat posed by such criminal activities necessitated this large-scale intervention.
Amidst the operational details and law enforcement activity, the DEA also highlighted the drug-related issues at Cedar Run Apartments with a message about targeting notorious traffickers responsible for fentanyl deaths.
"We saw this message written on a wall inside the Cedar Run apartments in Denver," posted DEA Rocky Mountain to X, "#DEA and our federal partners are targeting wanted drug traffickers. Three fentanyl deaths have been reported at this location in the past month."
The complex challenge of addressing gang-related crime while managing community relations remains central to the efforts of federal agencies. As this operation unfolds, its impact on local communities and the broader criminal landscape in Aurora will continue to develop.
In summary, the coordinated raids by ICE and supporting federal entities highlight a significant push against gang activities in Aurora, focusing particularly on individuals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. These efforts aim to curb the gang's criminal influence and address associated public safety threats, demonstrating a multifaceted approach to law enforcement in urban settings.
