U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the unsealing of a six-count second superseding indictment against leaders of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua, now designated as a foreign terrorist group, on charges including terrorism and international drug distribution. The indictment names Yohan Jose Romero (aka Johan Petrica) and Juan Gabriel Rivas Nunez (aka Juancho) for conspiring to provide and providing material support to Tren de Aragua, while Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano (aka El Viejo) and Jose Enrique Martinez Flores (aka Chuqui) face additional charges for conspiracy and cocaine distribution targeting the U.S. market, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The indictment alleges these individuals led TdA’s operations involving drug and gun trafficking, murders, kidnappings, and extortion, terrorizing communities in Venezuela and beyond. In a statement, Co-Director Christopher Eason said, "Gold and drug trafficking, and violence and extortion to support TdA’s terrorist activities will not be tolerated," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Mosquera Serrano, on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, was arrested in Colombia with Martinez Flores. Romero and Rivas Nunez remain at large. Investigations show they used their roles in TdA to smuggle gold and export drugs. The U.S. Department of State offers up to $5 million for Mosquera Serrano and $4 million for Romero for information leading to their arrest or conviction. The case involves the FBI, DEA, police departments, and Colombian authorities as part of Operation Take Back America. If convicted, they could face life in prison and large fines, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
