Governor Abbott Announces Arrest of Tren de Aragua Gang Members at Texas Border

Texas DPS Arrests Four Tren de Aragua Members at Border in New Year’s Eve Operation

Governor Greg Abbott announced today that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested four confirmed members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang on New Year’s Eve as they attempted to illegally cross the Texas-Mexico border. The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts by Texas authorities to combat the growing threat posed by the dangerous transnational gang.

“Texas’ top priority is the safety and security of its residents,” Governor Abbott stated. “Earlier this week, DPS troopers identified and arrested four vicious TdA gang members. Texas will not tolerate this gang operating or gaining a foothold in our state. 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.”

The operation is part of Governor Abbott’s broader strategy to disrupt TdA’s criminal operations. In September, he designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization and directed DPS to treat the gang as a Tier 1 threat, forming a dedicated strike team to identify and neutralize its activities in Texas.

Details of the Arrest

On December 31, 2024, DPS troopers involved in Operation Lone Star encountered a group of 22 illegal immigrants in Val Verde County. The group included individuals from Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. Eleven individuals were arrested for criminal trespass, while family units were referred to Border Patrol for processing.

Among those arrested, nine Venezuelan nationals claimed they were heading to cities including San Antonio, Irving, and Corsicana, Texas. During interviews conducted by DPS Special Agents, tattoos and social media evidence confirmed that four males in the group were affiliated with TdA.

The suspects, identified as Segundo Ocando-Mejia (39), Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo (27), Antonio Joe Urruttia-Rojas (18), and Levi Jesus Urrutia-Blanco (18), were taken into custody. Ocando-Mejia displayed tattoos on his shoulders, suggesting a potential leadership role within the gang.

Ongoing Crackdown on Tren de Aragua

Governor Abbott has emphasized the state’s commitment to targeting Tren de Aragua and preventing their criminal operations from expanding in Texas. The gang, originating in Venezuela, is known for human trafficking, drug smuggling, and violent criminal activity.

The Governor’s September initiative included elevating TdA to a Tier 1 gang status, comparable to notorious groups like MS-13, and creating a specialized strike team to aggressively track and arrest suspected members.

To encourage public involvement, the Governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of TdA members involved in criminal activity.

Community Safety at the Forefront

The arrests on New Year’s Eve demonstrate the effectiveness of Texas’ enhanced border security measures. Operation Lone Star continues to serve as a key component of the state’s strategy to protect communities from transnational criminal organizations.

Law enforcement agencies remain focused on identifying and apprehending gang members, ensuring that dangerous individuals are not allowed to establish a presence in Texas cities. Governor Abbott’s ongoing initiatives signal a zero-tolerance approach to gangs like TdA.

The Maverick Take

The arrest of four Tren de Aragua gang members underscores the urgent need for robust border security measures. Transnational gangs like TdA pose a serious threat to public safety, exploiting weaknesses in immigration enforcement to expand their operations. Texas’ proactive stance in designating TdA as a foreign terrorist organization and allocating resources to combat the gang is a vital step in addressing this danger.

Governor Abbott’s initiatives highlight the importance of state-led efforts to fill gaps in federal border security policies. The arrests also demonstrate the value of coordinated enforcement operations like Operation Lone Star in identifying and apprehending criminal elements before they infiltrate Texas communities.

While the arrests are a significant victory, the continued vigilance of law enforcement and community cooperation remain essential to ensuring the safety and security of Texas residents.

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