A suspected member of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua was arrested in the Houston area, according to state officials. Jorgenys Robertson Cova, 32, found himself in handcuffs on the day he was expected to appear for his asylum hearing. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed the arrest in a press release, highlighting that the Venezuelan national was taken into custody in lieu of his scheduled legal procedure. As reported by Click2Houston, the DPS had been tipped off about Cova's presence in the Houston area in September.
Subsequent investigations identified Cova as a wanted individual for a theft charge in Pearland, allowing authorities to make a connection to his reported gang affiliations. Indeed, it was the distinctive tattoos on his arms, bearing the imprints of a five-point crown and a clock adjoined by roses, that flagged Cova as a Tren de Aragua member. The symbolism, as mentioned by the DPS, is an established marker affiliated with the notorious gang, per KHOU.
In a joint operation with the Houston Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), DPS agents executed the arrest on Monday. Cova's apprehension emphasizes the growing vigilance against the activities of the Tren de Aragua in Texas. Following his arrest, he was booked at the Brazoria County Jail where he is currently being held.
This case is part of a larger initiative by Governor Greg Abbot's administration to suppress the influence of Tren de Aragua in the state. In alignment with this mission, the Public Safety Office has announced a reward system offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the capture of known, or suspected members of this criminal gang, as detailed by Click2Houston.
