Federal agents and NYPD officers raided a Bronx apartment on Dec. 5, arresting seven members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The operation followed GPS signals from an ankle monitor worn by one of the suspects, a Venezuelan national with a criminal record.
The suspect, Jarwin Valero-Calderon, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and has since been arrested multiple times. Despite a deportation order, he remained at large until the raid.
Authorities say Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, has exploited immigration policies to expand its operations in the U.S. The group recruits members from migrant shelters and engages in activities such as drug smuggling, theft, and trafficking.
Other suspects arrested in the raid include Jhonaiker Alexander Gil Cardozo and Jesus Manuel Quintero Granado, both with extensive arrest records. Law enforcement officials say the gang has gained a foothold in several sanctuary cities, taking advantage of lax policies.
The NYPD has been monitoring Tren de Aragua and its juvenile branch, “Diablos de la 42,” which has been linked to robberies in Times Square. Many young members avoid detention due to weak laws governing juvenile offenders.
The raid marks a significant development in efforts to combat the gang’s activities, which have spread across multiple states.
