Two superseding indictments have been unsealed, charging 27 individuals connected to the Tren de Aragua (TdA) with a range of offenses including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, robbery, and firearms violations. The first indictment involves six alleged TdA members, while the second focuses on 19 alleged members and associates of "Anti-Tren," a faction that split from TdA, and includes two additional associates of Anti-Tren.
Commenting on the indictments, Attorney General Pamela Bondi remarked, "As alleged, Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang – it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence, engaged in human trafficking, and spread deadly drugs through our communities."
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky for the Southern District of New York stated, "Today, we have filed charges against 27 alleged members, former members, and associates of Tren de Aragua, for committing murders and shootings, forcing young women trafficked from Venezuela into commercial sex work, robbing and extorting small businesses, and selling ‘tusi,’ a pink powdery drug that has become their calling card." He emphasized the department's dedication to ensuring the safety of New York City residents.
According to New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, "Tren de Aragua is one of the most dangerous gangs in the country, and the NYPD has taken significant action to shut down their operations in New York City." She further stated that the organization has been charged as the "criminal enterprise" it is, with activities including sex trafficking, drug distribution, and violent crimes.
The indictments allege that TdA operated in New York City and internationally, with activities in Venezuela and Peru, aiming to consolidate its power through violence and illegal operations. The organization's lucrative ventures included human and drug trafficking, especially a substance known as "tusi."
If convicted, the defendants face severe penalties. Jarwin Valero-Calderon, Samuel Gonzalez Castro, Eferson Morillo-Gomez, and others could face life imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy charges. The Anti-Tren indictment charges several individuals with similar serious offenses and penalties.
Federal authorities such as the Department of Justice and local law enforcement including NYPD played key roles in these actions. This effort is part of a broader initiative named Operation Take Back America, intended to dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
Prosecutors Jun Xiang, Kathryn Wheelock, and Timothy Ly are leading the case. The charges are accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Bondi and Podolsky commended the cooperative efforts among national and local enforcement agencies for their investigative work and support.