US Attorney General announces unsealing of indictments against Tren de Aragua members in New York state
- Dennis McCaslin
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
NEW YORK, April 22, 2025 — Federal authorities unsealed two superseding indictments today charging 27 individuals linked to the foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA) and its splinter group Anti-Tren with racketeering, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, robbery, and firearms offenses.
The charges, spanning New York, New Jersey, and Colorado, target six alleged TdA members and 19 Anti-Tren members or associates, with 21 defendants in custody following arrests in multiple jurisdictions.
“Tren de Aragua is a highly structured terrorist organization that has wreaked havoc on American communities through brutal violence, human trafficking, and deadly drugs,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “These indictments aim to dismantle TdA’s infrastructure nationwide.”
The TdA Indictment alleges the group operated in New York City and internationally, engaging in murder, assault, sex trafficking of women smuggled from Venezuela, and trafficking “tusi,” a ketamine-based drug. Defendants face charges including racketeering conspiracy, with potential life sentences, and other offenses carrying up to 20 years in prison.
The Anti-Tren Indictment targets former TdA members who formed a rival faction, accused of similar crimes, including sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and violent acts to maintain control. Penalties for Anti-Tren defendants also include up to life imprisonment for racketeering and sex trafficking conspiracy.
“Tren de Aragua is one of the most dangerous gangs in the country,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “These charges mark the first time TdA is being prosecuted as a criminal enterprise, holding accountable those who terrorized New Yorkers.”
The operation, part of the Justice Department’s Operation Take Back America, involved the NYPD, HSI, ATF, and Joint Task Force Vulcan. Tren de Aragua was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization in February 2025. The cases are assigned to U.S. District Judges Denise L. Cote and Mary Kay Vyskocil.
