(LibertySociety.com) – Law enforcement in Tennessee is raising alarms over a surge in activity from the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, which has expanded its operations into Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Director David Rausch attributes the rise of the gang, originally formed in a Venezuelan prison, to the U.S.’s “porous” southern border.
“This gang has exploited [the border],” Rausch said during an interview on Fox & Friends on Friday. He detailed how the TdA gang has evolved its criminal enterprise in Tennessee, starting with human trafficking and branching into organized retail theft, drug trafficking, and violent confrontations with rival cartels.
The TdA gang is notorious for its violent tactics and its expansion into several countries, including the United States, after originating in Venezuela’s Tocoron prison. A recent report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that over 600 individuals with suspected ties to the gang have been flagged, with 100 deemed “subjects of interest” recommended for placement on the FBI’s Watchlist for Transnational Criminal Organizations.
Rausch said the gang’s resurgence in Tennessee cities is particularly concerning because of its members’ total disregard for law enforcement. “They have zero respect for police,” Rausch stated, adding that TdA has been implicated in violent attacks on officers across the U.S. Despite law enforcement’s efforts to dismantle the gang’s operations two years ago, they have reestablished their presence.
The challenge, according to Rausch, is compounded by legal limitations when dealing with suspected gang members who lack immigration detainers. “If we come upon them and they have a detainer on them, then we can take them into custody. But other than that, all we can do is monitor and ensure they aren’t violating the law. It’s a cat-and-mouse game that’s becoming more dangerous,” he explained.
During a recent budget hearing, Rausch warned Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) about the escalating threat posed by the TdA gang. He emphasized the need for additional resources to combat the gang’s sophisticated and violent operations.
The TdA gang has a well-documented history of expanding its reach across South America and beyond. In addition to the U.S., the gang operates in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru. Its criminal network spans human trafficking, narcotics distribution, and other organized crimes.
The DHS has flagged over 600 suspected TdA affiliates through a re-screening initiative. “We’re working to identify and disrupt their operations, but it’s an ongoing challenge,” a DHS statement read.
Tennessee authorities continue to collaborate with federal agencies to mitigate the gang’s influence while calling for stronger border security and increased resources to curb the growing threat.
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