Texas Department of Public Safety troopers recently detained four Venezuelan gang members.
According to Breitbart, the arrest was part of Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star, targeting illegal immigration and heightening state security.
On New Year's Eve, a significant border security operation led to the apprehension of four individuals confirmed as members of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. These individuals were part of a larger group of 22 migrants who unlawfully crossed into Texas from Mexico. The operation was part of ongoing efforts under Operation Lone Star, a mission initiated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to clamp down on illegal crossings and enhance public safety.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the arrests emphasizing the serious threat posed by such criminal elements infiltrating the state. Governor Abbott detailed, "Earlier this week, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers identified and arrested four vicious TdA gang members attempting to illegally cross the border from Mexico into the state."
Governor Abbott has been outspoken about the dangers of gangs like Tren de Aragua gaining a foothold in Texas. During the investigation, DPS special agents were able to confirm the identities and affiliations of the suspects, underscoring the effectiveness of the state's tactical response to border security threats. The specific identifiers included unique tattoos found on one of the gang members, Segundo Ocando-Mejia, which indicated his possible rank or leadership role within Tren de Aragua.
Here's what Governor Greg Abbott declared about the significance of these arrests:
"I designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization, and we will not tolerate this gang operating or gaining a foothold in Texas."
Texas' designation of the Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization underscores the state’s aggressive posture toward combating international gang activity within its borders. Alongside Segundo Ocando-Mejia, the arrested individuals included Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, Antonio Joe Urruttia-Rojas, and Levi Jesus Urrutia-Blanco, all of whom were determined to be part of this gang.
The influx of migrants on New Year’s Eve saw a total of 22 individuals attempting to cross the border, with 11 facing charges related to criminal trespass, including nine Venezuelan nationals. The diligence of Texas' law enforcement under Operation Lone Star shows the comprehensive measures being taken to address illegal immigration and related criminal activities.
In Governor Abbott's own words:
"Until President Trump is back in the White House to secure our border, Texas will continue to hunt down dangerous criminals like TdA and put them behind bars to protect Texans from this vicious gang."
The recent arrests and Governor Abbott’s public statements reiterate the ongoing challenges that Texas faces in managing security along its border. The swift actions by DPS troopers reflect the high level of alert and readiness that Texas maintains to prevent criminal entities from exploiting the U.S.-Mexico border.
This event not only highlights the operational success of Governor Abbott's border security initiatives but also serves as a stark reminder of the broader implications of border control on national security. Further measures and continued vigilance will likely remain top priorities for Texas authorities as they strive to mitigate these risks.
In conclusion, the capture of these Tren de Aragua gang members demonstrates Texas's firm stance against gang-related criminal activity and its continued efforts to secure the border against unauthorized crossings.
The operational success of this arrest, part of Governor Abbott’s broader strategy, highlights both the challenges and resilience in managing state and national security concerns.
