Venezuelan Gang Members Arrested In Bronx Raid

Seven members of the Tren de Aragua gang were arrested in the Bronx after federal agents tracked an ankle monitor to their hideout. The Dec. 5 raid, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the NYPD, targeted a group tied to a violent Venezuelan criminal network.

The operation led to the capture of 28-year-old Jarwin Valero-Calderon, who had evaded deportation orders and law enforcement despite multiple arrests. Valero-Calderon’s GPS device, part of a court-ordered release, provided authorities with the location of the gang.

Law enforcement officials criticized policies that allowed the gang to operate freely in sanctuary cities like New York. Tren de Aragua has expanded its reach in the U.S., using migrant shelters to recruit members and engaging in criminal activities such as smuggling and theft.

Among those arrested was Jesus Manuel Quintero Granado, identified as a gang leader with arrests in multiple states. Another suspect, Jhonaiker Alexander Gil Cardozo, has a long history of criminal charges, including theft and robbery.

The gang’s juvenile offshoot, “Diablos de la 42,” has been linked to a string of robberies in Times Square. Authorities say weak juvenile justice laws have allowed young gang members to avoid detention despite repeat offenses.

The raid underscores ongoing concerns about the impact of immigration policies and sanctuary city practices on public safety.