Federal agents conducted a significant raid on a suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang hideout in the Bronx, New York City, on December 5. The operation, led by a joint federal task force comprising Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the NYPD, resulted in the arrest of seven alleged gang members.
The breakthrough came when authorities tracked a GPS ankle monitor belonging to one of the suspects to the hideout, revealing the gang’s presence. The arrested include a 28-year-old Venezuelan national, Jarwin Valero-Calderon, who was wearing the monitoring device.
Law enforcement sources expressed frustration at Valero-Calderon’s release despite his troubled past, including at least three prior arrests and a conviction in Nassau County, along with a federal deportation order. “This is what actual supervised release looks like?” scoffed a law enforcement official. “The thing about ankle monitors is you have to monitor them to be effective.”
The raid is considered a significant blow against TdA, a violent gang that infiltrated the U.S. with a wave of migrants seeking asylum since 2022. The gang has established a foothold in New York, recruiting members from inside tax-funded migrant shelters. They are involved in violent theft, robbery, drug trafficking, and human smuggling across the five boroughs.
“What we’re seeing is this evolution of Tren de Aragua, where they’ve gone into these sanctuary cities,” commented former Denver ICE chief John Fabbricatore. “They’ve started to solidify themselves and then throw tentacles out to multiple other locations where they think they can continue making money. I think people are finally starting to realize how bad the situation has gotten.”
Among those arrested was Jhonaiker Alexander Gil Cardozo, 24, who crossed the border in El Paso in September 2022. Cardozo had amassed a criminal record in New York and New Jersey, including charges of grand larceny, reckless endangerment, and robbery. His multiple arrests included an incident in Greenville, South Carolina, in June.
Also taken into custody was 30-year-old Jesus Manuel Quintero Granado, who crossed into the U.S. with his Peruvian wife and child in September 2022 and later headed to Canada. After Canadian authorities denied their asylum request, they were sent back to the U.S. Quintero Granado quickly resumed his criminal activities with four arrests in New York and New Jersey.
The December raid also resulted in the capture of Angel Gabriel Marquez Rodriguez, 19, who crossed the border in September 2023 but soon ran afoul of the law in Chicago. Despite a pending court date, Rodriguez faced multiple larceny charges in New York City in March and June 2024.
Similarly, Fernandez Franco Greymer De Dios, 21, was in the process of being deported after getting caught at the border in May. However, he claimed fear of persecution and was released pending a court date, only to disappear. A deportation order in absentia was issued on November 20.
Federal immigration sources identified all of these illegal migrants as members of TdA. The gang has also formed an underaged offshoot called “Diablos de la 42” or “Devils of 42nd Street,” which has caught the NYPD’s attention.
These young gang members, some as young as 11, have exploited lax juvenile detention laws to remain free despite troubling criminal histories. “This is what actual supervised release looks like?” one law enforcement source mused. “The thing about ankle monitors is you have to monitor them to be effective.”
The raid marks a significant setback for TdA, highlighting the ongoing challenge of curbing gang activity among migrant communities in New York City. Law enforcement officials continue to express concerns about the gang’s recruitment strategies and the difficulty in tracking migrants who slip through the cracks in the legal system.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.