Federal agents struck a major blow against the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, a violent Venezuelan criminal network that has exploited America’s immigration system to spread its influence. A December 5 raid conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the NYPD led to the arrest of seven gang members hiding in a Bronx apartment.
The breakthrough came after authorities tracked the GPS ankle monitor of 28-year-old Venezuelan national Jarwin Valero-Calderon, a career criminal with a long history of arrests and convictions. His ability to evade consequences despite his record sparked frustration among law enforcement.
“Better late than never,” a law enforcement source remarked. “This is what actual supervised release looks like? The thing about ankle monitors is you have to actually monitor them to be effective.”
The raid underscores the growing danger posed by TdA in New York City. Known for violent crimes and illegal enterprises, the gang infiltrated the U.S. amidst the migrant surge of 2022, taking advantage of lax immigration policies and sanctuary city protections.
The Tren de Aragua gang has rapidly expanded its criminal operations in the U.S., particularly in sanctuary cities like New York. John Fabbricatore, a former ICE chief in Denver, warned of the gang’s strategy to establish strongholds in these areas.
“What we’re seeing is this evolution of Tren de Aragua, where they’ve gone into these sanctuary cities,” Fabbricatore explained. “They’ve started to solidify themselves and then throw tentacles out to multiple other locations where they think they can continue to make money. I think people are finally starting to realize how bad the situation has gotten.”
Among those arrested in the Bronx raid was 24-year-old Jhonaiker Alexander Gil Cardozo, who entered the U.S. through El Paso in September 2022. Cardozo’s rap sheet spans multiple states, including grand larceny, reckless endangerment, and robbery charges.
Another detainee, 30-year-old Jesus Manuel Quintero Granado, entered the U.S. with his family in 2022 after being denied asylum in Canada. Quintero Granado’s record includes theft and grand larceny across New York and New Jersey.
Nineteen-year-old Angel Gabriel Marquez Rodriguez, also arrested in the raid, crossed the border in 2023 and quickly compiled charges for shoplifting and larceny in Chicago and New York.
TdA’s reach isn’t limited to adult criminals. The gang’s juvenile division, known as the “Diablos de la 42” or “Devils of 42nd Street,” includes members as young as 11. These juveniles have been involved in a series of Times Square robberies, exploiting New York’s lenient juvenile justice laws to evade serious consequences.
“These tiny terrors are a direct result of soft-on-crime policies that embolden criminals of all ages,” a law enforcement source explained.
The GPS ankle monitor worn by Valero-Calderon ultimately exposed the Bronx hideout, leading to the arrests. Valero-Calderon’s criminal history highlights the failures of current immigration enforcement. Despite multiple arrests, a Nassau County conviction, and a federal deportation order in April 2023, he remained free to commit crimes across the country.
The December raid is a victory for federal and local law enforcement, but it also highlights the consequences of weak immigration policies and sanctuary city protections. The rapid rise of Tren de Aragua within U.S. borders underscores the urgent need for stronger border security and a stricter approach to criminal migrants.
“This bust is just the tip of the iceberg,” a law enforcement official stated. “TdA’s foothold in New York and other cities is a testament to how broken our system has become.”
🚨BREAKING: Law enforcement tracked an ankle monitor to a Bronx apartment, leading to the arrest of 22 members of the Venezuelan gang ‘Tren de Aragua.’
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 20, 2024
Valero-Calderon’s case serves as a sobering example. After entering the U.S. in 2022, he was released with a court date and quickly embarked on a spree of larceny and fraud across multiple states. Even after being marked a fugitive and ordered deported, he continued committing crimes until the December raid finally landed him in custody.
The arrests of Valero-Calderon and his associates are a step forward, but experts warn that dismantling Tren de Aragua will require sustained effort and collaboration across agencies. The gang’s ability to exploit America’s immigration system and sanctuary city policies remains a significant challenge.
“This is a wake-up call for policymakers and law enforcement alike,” Fabbricatore concluded. “Without decisive action, gangs like TdA will only grow stronger, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the consequences.”
As New York City grapples with this crisis, the raid serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reform to ensure public safety and protect vulnerable communities.
