On the streets of New York City, members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) have operated with little resistance, their actions affecting local communities. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, a large-scale indictment has charged 27 members and associates of the group, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The charges include racketeering, drug trafficking, and the sex trafficking of women coerced from Venezuela.
Matthew Podolsky, the Acting U.S. Attorney, along with Attorney General Pamela Bondi and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, described the recent legal action as a significant step in addressing the organization's presence in the Bronx, Queens, and international locations. The operation extended across state lines, resulting in the arrest of five individuals on Sunday night and yesterday, with 21 individuals in federal custody.
The first indictment focuses on six alleged TdA members and their range of criminal activities, which include threats and acts of violence. Among those charged are Jarwin Valero-Calderon, also known as "La Fama," and five other individuals. The charges include forcing women, referred to as "multadas," into sexual exploitation, trafficking a substance known as "tusi," and committing armed robberies to expand and protect the organization's illegal operations. The second indictment targets Anti-Tren, a faction that largely consists of former TdA members. It charges 19 alleged members and two associates with a series of crimes similar to those committed by their former associates, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the seriousness of TdA's alleged crimes, stating in the press release, "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." Bondi stated that the indictments and arrests, spanning across three states, will significantly disrupt TdA's operations as efforts continue to fully dismantle and eliminate its presence in the United States. Meanwhile, Commissioner Tisch praised the NYPD’s efforts and the federal collaboration that has led to this pivotal moment, where TdA is formally recognized and charged as a criminal enterprise, with a focus on their alleged involvement in trafficking, drug distribution, and violence.
This large-scale legal effort is the result of extensive collaboration and investigative work by multiple law enforcement agencies, including HSI and the NYPD. The widespread nature of the crimes required a response of similar scope and resources. The operation is part of Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities from violence. Following the designation of Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025, the coordinated campaign against them—supported by JTFV and involving several U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal agencies—reflects the scale of the operation in response to these alleged activities.
