Migrant TDA Gang Member Breaks Officer’s Arm as 10 Indicted in Massive Gun and Drug Trafficking Operation

 Migrant TDA Gang Member Breaks Officer’s Arm as 10 Indicted in Massive Gun and Drug Trafficking Operation

Authorities have indicted ten alleged members and associates of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TDA), in a large-scale arms and drug trafficking operation spanning at least six U.S. states. Prosecutors revealed that the gang had plans to expand its operations internationally into Colombia.

During an arrest operation in New York City on Wednesday, one of the accused gang members violently resisted and broke an NYPD officer's arm in a scuffle, police reported.

Massive Gun and Drug Seizure

Authorities confiscated a cache of 34 illegal firearms, including AR-15 assault rifles and a modified Glock 9mm converted into a fully automatic weapon, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

The gang members were also dealing in dangerous narcotics, including pink cocaine, a designer drug combining ketamine, MDMA, and ecstasy.

All ten indicted individuals, including two women, are migrants from Venezuela who entered the U.S. illegally via the southern border, law enforcement officials confirmed.

Gang Leadership and Operations

The gun-running operation was allegedly led by two Venezuelan nationals who moved to New York City two years ago. They recruited other foreign nationals to expand their criminal enterprise.

The gang's alleged ringleader, Enyerbert Blanco, 24, has been in custody in Florida since October for charges related to human trafficking involving a 15-year-old girl, Katz stated.

"We allege that as members and associates of TDA, they trafficked weapons and sought to establish themselves in New York City. Our operation is aimed at dismantling their network," Katz said.

Criminal Charges and Potential Sentences

Five of the ten suspects are charged with two counts of criminal firearm sales and could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. The remaining members face various firearm possession and other charges, carrying potential sentences of up to 15 years in prison. All ten are charged with conspiracy to possess and sell illegal firearms in New York City.

Multi-State Criminal Network

The gang's operation extended beyond New York to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, and Colorado. Four suspects are currently in custody in New York City, while four others are detained out of state. Two suspects remain at large.

Despite the federal nature of their crimes, Katz did not specify if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would deport the suspects, stating her focus was on prosecuting them for gun-running.

Brazen Firearm Transactions

The suspects openly transported and sold illegal firearms, Katz noted. One sale involved an AR-15 wrapped in a garbage bag, exchanged in broad daylight outside a Bronx residential building. Other transactions took place in a Target parking lot in Queens between October 30 and December 10.

Weapons were priced between $2,500 and $2,800 for assault rifles and between $1,200 and $1,800 for loaded handguns. The gang also smuggled firearms obtained from burglaries and car break-ins across state lines.

Authorities Speak Out

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the injured officer would undergo surgery and that additional charges would be filed.

"TDA is a dangerous transnational gang involved in murder, trafficking, and mayhem. The NYPD will continue working with federal and local partners to dismantle these criminal organizations," Tisch said.

Suspects in Custody

Among those indicted are Wrallan Meza, 27; Leoner Aguilera, 21; Brayant Aguilar, 21; Rosemary Sanchez, 24; Enyerling Zambrano, 29; Alejandro Rondon, 19; and Oscar Sosa, 31.

Related Immigration Raids

The bust in Queens coincided with immigration raids in the Bronx, where authorities apprehended Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26. The DEA and Homeland Security identified him as a TDA member wanted in Aurora, Colorado, for first-degree burglary and menacing with a firearm. He is also suspected of participating in a weapons exchange and attempting to purchase grenades. Additional charges against him include kidnapping, extortion, and menacing.

The investigation, dubbed "Operation Train Derail," has been ongoing for over a year, carried out by the Queens District Attorney's Office and the NYPD. Authorities say they remain committed to dismantling the gang's presence in the United States.