OAN Staff Lillian Mann
6:24 PM – Monday, May 11, 2026
Federal authorities have recently charged more than 25 members and associates of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) criminal organization following the group’s formal designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the Trump administration.
By elevating TdA to terrorist status, the government has prioritized the systematic dismantling of their illicit operations, utilizing the full weight of federal resources to target both the group’s leadership and its domestic network.
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In a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday, a multi-agency operation targeting the TdA criminal network resulted in the seizure of over 80 firearms and 18 kilograms (approximately 39 pounds) of narcotics, alongside the detention of 25 individuals linked to the transnational gang.
In the press release, investigators reportedly recovered fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, MDMA and “tusi,” a pink powder often containing ketamine and/or MDMA.
“This FBI and our interagency partners continue to break violent gang networks all over America, and today’s massive takedown of 25 Tren de Aragua members is just the latest example,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital in a statement.
“Under President Trump’s leadership the historic Homeland Security Task Force model is making America safer than it’s been in generations – and we won’t stop until we root these criminal networks completely out of our communities.”
The high-profile operation reflects the Trump’s administration’s larger advancement to unravel all foreign gang networks inside the U.S. which pose as major threats to American communities.
Charges have been filed in six U.S. Attorney’s offices nationwide, including the Districts of Colorado, Southern Florida, Northern Indiana, Middle Tennessee, Western Tennessee and Eastern Washington.
“In a few days, the Justice Department and its partners on Joint Task Force Vulcan carried out a nationwide takedown of vicious Tren de Aragua terrorist networks — depraved, violent offenders who have illegally invaded our country and preyed upon American communities,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“This effort underscores the Trump Administration’s dedication to restoring public safety, dismantling violent firearms and drug trafficking networks, and enforcing law and order.”
Federal immigration officials praised the large-scale operation, saying the arrests reflected a joint effort across multiple law enforcement agencies.
“The success of this operation is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our HSI special agents and the unwavering commitment of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” John Condon, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) acting executive associate director, wrote in the statement.
“The Homeland Security Task Force’s mission is to safeguard the United States from transnational threats by leveraging intelligence-driven investigations and robust interagency collaboration,” Condon continued.
“This TdA takedown demonstrates the power of unified action in disrupting dangerous criminal networks and protecting our communities.”
“Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.”
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