In a concerted effort against narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration, federal agents from the DEA, ICE, and FBI have rounded up approximately 90 individuals across Colorado, with a focus on the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA). According to The Denver Gazette, many of those detained have alleged ties to the notorious gang, which has been trying to expand its influence in the Denver metropolitan area.

The DEA's Rocky Mountain Division took into custody a suspected TdA member at the Edge of Lowry apartments in Aurora during January raids, as reported by Denver7, this individual was later identified as Henry Vargas by the Commerce City Police Department, and the operation has not been without its controversies, as several federal agencies including the DEA have faced backlash following the events on February 5.

However, the approach is not merely a response to immigration issues but an ongoing battle against drug proliferation specifically targeting substances like fentanyl, which has become a major concern in Colorado, as noted by DEA representative Pullen, as obtained by KDVR that "Last year, we seized over 3 million pills in Colorado — that was a record," highlighting the scale of the drug seizure compared to media attention.

Operation Return to Sender, the moniker given to the latest series of raids, has resulted in the apprehension of nearly 100 suspects, including members of TdA, while the most serious offenders among the detainees have now been placed in ICE custody, the far-reaching operation has seemingly brought into focus the intersection of criminal enterprise and immigration policy and the continuous effort by law enforcement agencies to address these intertwined challenges.