Tennessee officials have arrested eight members of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), accused of running a transnational sex trafficking ring in Nashville. This crackdown marks a significant step in the state’s battle against TdA, which has spread violence and exploitation across the U.S.
The arrests, made in a joint operation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeted a commercial sex trafficking network operating from Nashville motels between July 2022 and March 2024. These individuals are linked to the gang’s brutal crimes, including kidnapping, extortion, and human trafficking.
Tren de Aragua, which the U.S. State Department recently designated a foreign terrorist organization, has expanded its reach across numerous states. According to U.S. officials, many of the gang’s members infiltrated the U.S. via Central America, with support from Venezuela’s Maduro regime. The group’s activities include brutal crimes that terrorize communities and challenge local law enforcement.
In Washington, Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn criticized activist judges who have delayed deportations of illegal immigrants, especially those connected to gangs like TdA. The Trump administration previously deported over 200 TdA members to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act.
Officials remain vigilant in dismantling the gang’s operations, with ICE Special Agent Rana Saoud stating, “This investigation exemplifies the importance of collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies.” The crackdown on TdA continues as authorities work to prevent further criminal infiltration.
