Texas authorities arrest Venezuelan gang members, exposing the growing threat of Tren de Aragua in the United States. These gang members include Jorgenys Robertson, who was arrested in Houston along with four others in a different operation located in San Antonio. Because of the arrest, Texas Gover Greg Abbott decided to launch a statewide operation. The efforts made by the governor try to combat the international criminal organization expansion into the U.S.
Arrest of Tren de Aragua Member in Houston
On October 7, 2024, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Special Agents, in collaboration with the Houston Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), apprehended Jorgenys Robertson Cova, a confirmed member of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. Cova, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was arrested in Houston on the day of his scheduled asylum hearing.
Cova had been identified as a suspected TdA member in late September and was wanted in Pearland, Texas, for theft. He bore tattoos associated with the gang, including a five-point crown and a clock with roses. The arrest was executed without incident, and Cova was subsequently booked into the Brazoria County Jail.
Multi-Agency Operation in San Antonio
In a separate operation on October 5, four additional members of the Tren de Aragua gang were arrested in San Antonio. The individuals, all Venezuelan citizens with confirmed ties to the gang, were identified as Angel Josue Guerra-Sanguino, Yonaiker Velasco, Jean Carlos Hidalgo-Oviedo, and Yorbis Rafael Osorio Carmona.
“public safety threat” and “will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings,” an ERO spokesperson said.
These arrests underscore the growing concern over the Tren de Aragua’s presence in the United States. The gang, known for its involvement in human trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, contract killings, smuggling, and organized retail theft across Latin America, has been expanding its operations into the U.S.
NEW: DPS Captures Tren de Aragua Gang Member in Houston
A confirmed Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang member is now in custody following his arrest on Monday, Oct. 7, by @TxDPS Special Agents in Houston.
Working in collaboration with the Houston Police Department and U.S. Immigration… pic.twitter.com/RqVhWdKvuj
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) October 8, 2024
Texas Governor’s Response to the Threat
In response to the growing threat posed by the Tren de Aragua gang, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has launched a statewide operation targeting the organization. The governor’s office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of TdA members involved in criminal activities.
The operation aims to disrupt the gang’s criminal operations and prevent them from establishing a foothold in Texas. A map shared by authorities shows suspected and documented TdA activity across the state, including areas near Houston, Dallas, El Paso, Piedras Negras, and Cleburne.
Federal Response and Sanctions
The threat posed by the Tren de Aragua gang has not gone unnoticed at the federal level. In July, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on the organization, recognizing its involvement in various criminal activities across Latin America and its expansion into the United States.
As law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to combat the Tren de Aragua gang, the recent arrests in Houston and San Antonio serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing the activities of transnational crime organizations. The collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies highlights the coordinated approach necessary to address this growing threat to public safety.
