On Monday, the FBI arrested 16 members of the Anti-Tren gang in Houston, Texas, in what has been described as the largest takedown of the group to date. The arrests, which were part of Operation Take Back America, included suspects charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, as well as weapons offenses tied to their alleged possession and sale of firearms. The operation marks a significant development in the ongoing struggle against violent criminal organizations in the United States, particularly those with ties to Venezuela.
The FBI’s Houston Special Agent in Charge, Douglas Williams, emphasized that the arrests took place within the city, underscoring the local impact of these criminal activities. The Anti-Tren gang, known for its deadly turf wars and drug trafficking, is a rival of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, which has long been associated with violent crimes in the U.S. The charges against the 14 individuals arrested for drug conspiracy include the potential for life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10 million. For those separately charged with firearms offenses, the penalties could reach up to 15 years in prison.
A key suspect in the case, Jose Miguel Briceno, a 25-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, is also being charged for unlawful possession of ammunition by an alien. He is alleged to have been involved in a mass shooting at the Latinas Sports Bar club in Houston, which left six people wounded, including four in critical condition. If found guilty, Briceno could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case in collaboration with the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created to combat MS-13 and has since expanded to include TdA under Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The operation is part of a broader national initiative known as Operation Take Back America, which aims to address the influx of illegal immigration and the activities of transnational criminal organizations. The DOJ described the initiative as a comprehensive effort to protect communities from violent criminals and eradicate these organizations. With the rise of emerging Venezuelan gangs that are reportedly more violent than TdA, the U.S. is increasingly focusing on countering these threats to ensure public safety and border security.