Two alleged high-ranking members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA), a group labeled as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government, are facing serious charges, including terrorism and international drug distribution, following a superseding indictment uncovered by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The individuals, Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, better known as "El Viejo," and Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, or "Chuqui," have been indicted on counts including the provision of material support to TdA and participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Colombia with intent to further distribute in the United States, as detailed on the Department of Justice's website. The charges stem from activities involving the alleged distribution of over five kilograms of cocaine, which authorities claim were used to advance TdA's criminal aims, and if found guilty, they face potential life sentences and substantial monetary penalties.
While Martinez Flores was arrested in Colombia on March 31 and remains in custody awaiting further legal procedures, his counterpart Mosquera Serrano is currently among the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives, eluding capture; the State Department has put forth a reward of up to $3 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction, demonstrating the high level of priority given to his apprehension.
The investigation, a joint effort by multiple agencies including the FBI and the DEA, with assistance from local law enforcement in Houston and Colombian authorities, highlights the level of cooperation between the U.S. and Colombia in combating transnational criminal organizations, and the case falls under the Operation Take Back America initiative, which aims at a broader agenda that encompasses pushing back illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and safeguarding communities from violent crime.
Legal proceedings are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz together with Deputy Director David C. Smith from the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan, an entity initially designed to tackle MS-13 but which has since broadened its scope to include organizations such as TdA.
