Governor Greg Abbott announced today that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested four confirmed members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang as they attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border on New Year’s Eve illegally.
The arrests were part of Texas’ ongoing efforts to crack down on criminal organizations operating in the state.
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“Our top priority is the safety and security of Texans, including against the growing threat of Tren de Aragua,” said Governor Abbott. “Earlier this week, DPS troopers identified and arrested four vicious TdA gang members attempting to illegally cross the border. I designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization, and we will not tolerate this gang operating or gaining a foothold in Texas. 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.”
On December 31, 2024, DPS troopers involved in Operation Lone Star encountered a group of 22 illegal immigrants in Val Verde County. The group, originating from Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, was intercepted attempting to cross into Texas. Eleven individuals were arrested for criminal trespass, while family groups were referred to U.S. Border Patrol for further processing.
Among the group, nine Venezuelan nationals claimed they were traveling to destinations in Texas, including San Antonio, Irving, and Corsicana. DPS Special Agents conducted interviews and, based on tattoos and cell phone data, identified four individuals as confirmed members of Tren de Aragua.
The four gang members arrested include:
- Segundo Ocando-Mejia, 39, who displayed tattoos indicating a potential leadership role within TdA.
- Pedro Luis Salazar-Cuervo, 27.
- Antonio Joe Urrutia-Rojas, 18.
- Levi Jesus Urrutia-Blanco, 18.
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Social media activity found on their cell phones provided further evidence of their affiliation with the criminal organization.
Governor Abbott has taken aggressive measures against the Tren de Aragua gang, which is known for its involvement in extortion, drug trafficking, and violent crime. In September 2024, Abbott launched a statewide operation to disrupt TdA’s criminal network and prevent their establishment in Texas. This initiative included:
- Designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization.
- Elevating TdA to a Tier 1 gang, the highest priority level for DPS.
- Creating a TdA Strike Team to specifically target and dismantle the gang’s operations.
Operation Lone Star is a program launched to combat illegal immigration and border-related crime. Since its inception, the operation has led to thousands of arrests, including the apprehension of dangerous gang members.
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Governor Abbott reaffirmed his commitment to securing the border and protecting Texans from the growing threat of foreign criminal organizations. “Texas will continue to lead in the fight against dangerous gangs like Tren de Aragua until our federal government takes decisive action to secure the border,” he stated.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns over border security and ongoing efforts to address criminal activity tied to illegal immigration.
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