Several individuals, including foreign nationals residing illegally in Houston, have been arrested on charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The arrests are part of a law enforcement operation targeting Venezuelan nationals and alleged members or associates of the Anti-Tren transnational criminal organization, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The accused are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray. The charges allege that Anti-Tren is a criminal organization primarily composed of former members and associates of Tren de Aragua (TdA). According to the allegations, the group aims to maintain power and territory through violence and threats while engaging in drug and firearm trafficking.
Two criminal complaints have been filed against 14 Anti-Tren members for conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. Those charged include Luis Miguel Claros Sarmiento, Dany E. Rojas, Ismael Leon Belbin, Andy Luis Alvarez Herrera, Cesar Oskeiber Cabezas Pacheco, Cesar Mauricio Velasquez, Raul Armando Ramirez Correa, Darwin Martinez, Peter Davila, Otis Jose Rodriguez Garcia, Pedro Hernandez Delgado, Jesus F. Fernandez Troconiz, Embeer J. Gutierrez Ternawskyj, and Raul Antonio Claros Sarmiento.
The allegations state that two groups agreed to transport cocaine for $15,000 per load with half paid upfront.
“The Southern District’s twin priorities are securing our border and the eradication of violent crime,” said Ganjei. “Operation Take Back America means going on the offensive against transnational criminal organizations.”
Special Agent Douglas Williams from the FBI Houston Field Office noted this as the largest takedown of suspected Anti-Tren members in Houston: “These individuals are accused of engaging in a turf war with TdA members.”
If convicted on these charges, those involved face up to life imprisonment and a potential $10 million fine.
Additional charges were filed against Correa, Ternawskyj, Garcia, Delgado and Pedro Jose Ramirez Delgado for weapons offenses which could result in up to 15 years imprisonment if convicted.
Jose Miguel Briceno faces separate charges for unlawful possession of ammunition by an alien linked to a mass shooting at Latinas Sports Bar club in March where six people were wounded.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI Houston field office with assistance from DEA and ICE among others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz along with Jason Harley from DOJ’s Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV) are prosecuting this case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America aiming at eliminating cartels and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
A criminal complaint is not evidence but an accusation; defendants remain innocent until proven guilty through due process.
