For the first time ever, members of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela have been charged by the DOJ with crimes under the RICO Act. Early in his second term, President Trump declared TdA and other violent, migrant gangs terrorist organizations, signalling an emphasis of his administration on the removal of such members from American society. The RICO charges represent a step along the way of riddng the country of an international menace.
The RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act, first passed in 1970, was originally applied to the Mafia and similar organizations. It has since been broadened, and various states have passed similar legislation.
The charges announced this morning were made against 27 current or former members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, 21 of whom are currently in federal custody. Six of the 27 are current members, and 21 others identify are former members now affiliated with a splinter group known as the “Anti-Tren.”
The Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York said:
Today, we have filed charges against 27 alleged members, former members, and associates of Tren de Aragua, for committing murders and shootings, forcing young women trafficked from Venezuela into commercial sex work, robbing and extorting small businesses, and selling “tusi,” a pink powdery drug that has become their calling card. Today’s Indictments make clear that this Office will work tirelessly to keep the law-abiding residents of New York City safe, and hold accountable those who bring violence to our streets.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a written statement.
As alleged, Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang – it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence, engaged in human trafficking, and spread deadly drugs through our communities. Today’s indictments and arrests span three states and will devastate TdA’s infrastructure as we work to completely dismantle and purge this organization from our country.
Names and specific charges are contained in a DOJ Press Release.
For more, see Breitbart News.