Federal authorities announced charges against more than 25 individuals in a nationwide enforcement operation targeting alleged members and associates of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan transnational criminal organization tied to firearms trafficking, narcotics distribution, and violent crime.
The operation spanned multiple states and involved coordinated investigations by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies operating through Homeland Security Task Forces and Joint Task Force Vulcan.
According to the Department of Justice, charges were filed across six federal districts, including Colorado, Southern Florida, Northern Indiana, Middle Tennessee, Western Tennessee, and Eastern Washington.
Authorities said the investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 80 firearms, approximately 18 kilograms of narcotics, and more than $100,000 in cash. Federal officials said the drugs recovered included fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, ecstasy, and “tusi,” a synthetic mixture commonly containing ketamine or MDMA.
The Justice Department said many defendants charged in the operation are foreign nationals from Venezuela, Colombia, and Honduras who are unlawfully present in the United States.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the operation targeted violent criminal networks tied to Tren de Aragua, often referred to as TdA.
Federal officials said the organization has been linked to crimes including murder, robbery, kidnapping, extortion, firearms trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and commercial sex trafficking across multiple countries in the Western Hemisphere.
In Colorado, prosecutors charged two Venezuelan nationals with conspiracy to traffic firearms illegally. Authorities allege the pair sold firearms, including weapons with obliterated serial numbers, to undercover agents. Investigators also seized narcotics identified as “tusi,” according to court filings.
In Tennessee, federal prosecutors charged five individuals, including alleged TdA or “Anti-Tren” associates, in connection with firearms and drug trafficking activity centered in Nashville. Authorities said the investigation led to the seizure of 25 firearms, ammunition, cash, methamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, and MDMA.
Federal investigators also said several firearms recovered during the Tennessee investigation were linked through ballistic evidence to prior shootings in Nashville.
In Southern Florida, prosecutors charged three foreign nationals alleged to have ties to TdA with conspiracy to possess narcotics with intent to distribute. Authorities said undercover operations in Broward and Miami-Dade counties led to additional seizures of firearms, methamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, and hundreds of MDMA pills.
The Department of Justice said more than 260 alleged Tren de Aragua members or associates have been federally charged since January 2025.
Federal officials described Tren de Aragua as a violent criminal organization that originated within the Venezuelan prison system before expanding operations throughout Latin America and into the United States.
The investigation involved the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, and numerous state and local agencies.
Several investigations connected to the operation remain ongoing, according to federal officials.
