American law enforcement officials say a deadly Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua has made its way to the United States, according to the The Wall Street Journal.
The gang, known for dismembering rivals across South America, was founded in a Venezuelan prison about 10 years ago. One federal official told the Journal that it's is like "MS-13 on steroids," a reference to the Central American gang that has plagued many U.S. communities.
Homeland Security officials say Tren de Aragua members are operating in the U.S. from Texas to Florida to New York and many cities in between. In New York City, gang members are suspected in the shooting of two NYPD officers and in a major robbery at the Macy's flagship store.
Another group on mopeds is believed to have, on more than one occasion, swarmed unsuspecting pedestrians, snatching jewelry and iPhones.
Investigators say Tren de Aragua typically sets up drug-distribution networks, extortion schemes, and prostitution rings to prey on fellow Venezuelans. Although tough to identify and track because they enter illegally via the southern border, one top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official told the Journal there are currently more than 100 U.S. investigations underway involving suspected members of Tren de Aragua.
Migrant crime has become a major theme in the presidential election, with former President Donald Trump hammering the issue hard. One member of a Washington, D.C.-based think tank told the Journal, "I think the Tren de Aragua in the U.S. could help elect Trump."
Kate McManus ✉
Kate McManus is a New Jersey-based Newsmax writer who's spent more than two decades as a journalist.
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.