Ender Jose Roa Contreras/Venezuela/Tren de Aragua Gang Member

On February 19, 2025, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Denver arrested Ender Jose Roa Contreras, a 29-year-old Venezuelan national and suspected member of the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. Roa Contreras was taken into custody after officers discovered him unlawfully present in the United States and in possession of a firearm, which he was prohibited from owning under federal law due to his immigration status.

Authorities identified Roa Contreras as having ties to the TdA, a transnational criminal organization originating in Venezuela known for its involvement in extortion, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. ICE agents located him during a targeted enforcement operation in Colorado, where they confirmed his gang affiliation and illegal presence through prior immigration records and law enforcement intelligence.

During the arrest, Roa Contreras was found carrying a handgun, which escalated the severity of his case. Under U.S. immigration law, illegal possession of a firearm by a non-citizen can result in removal proceedings and criminal prosecution. ICE officers processed him for expedited removal and he is currently being held at an ICE detention facility in Colorado pending further immigration proceedings.