Texas Department of Public Safety officers arrested over three dozen individuals—including suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua—near Dripping Springs, a small town a half-hour west of Austin.
Law enforcement also seized narcotics during the Tuesday raid and took nine minors into custody.
Tren de Aragua is Venezuela’s largest criminal organization.
President Donald Trump designated the gang a foreign terrorist organization on Inauguration Day. Gov. Greg Abbott had previously declared Tren de Aragua a terrorist organization and directed DPS to create a strike team to identify and arrest its members.
According to the DPS announcement, the department has been investigating the gang alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the San Antonio Police Department, and other local law enforcement for over a year.
The raid resulted from a search warrant based on FBI intelligence regarding a possible gathering of suspected gang members or associates in Hays County.
ICE confirmed the arrests of 25 adult males and 13 females with 9 children.
“ This is something that they’ve been investigating for a while,” said Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolito. “From everything I’ve been told, everything went smooth, and these were all pretty bad dudes.”
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra wrote in a statement that the sheriff’s office only “provided a liaison on [the] scene to assist if needed” but did not assist the FBI’s investigation.
“I will be reaching out to the federal agencies that were present in Hays County to gather more information, so I can provide our concerned residents with a clearer and more transparent explanation of the situation,” said Becerra.
The 47 detainees were taken into ICE custody for processing as none are U.S. citizens or legally in the country.
Fifteen left-wing protesters outside the office chanted, “We will not put up with ICE!” “No hate! No ICE in our state!” and “Families, children, do not fear! We are neighbors, welcome here!” while attempting to stop ICE vehicles.
Austin police soon broke up their protest.
The protests follow Monday’s ruling by California U.S. District Judge Edward Chen, who temporarily halted the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelans with Temporary Protected Status, writing it “smacks of racism predicated on generalized false stereotypes.”
Chen’s ruling specifically cited Tren de Aragua, however, writing, “There is no evidence that Venezuelan TPS holders are members of the [Tren de Aragua] gang, have connections to the gang, and/or commit crimes.”
The injunction would not protect any of the 38 under arrest if convicted.
DPS stated that the case remains under investigation. State and federal prosecutors will evaluate potential charges based on evidence obtained from the search.
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