Pam Bondi Cracks Down, RICO Charges Filed Against Tren de Aragua Members

Just days ago, left-wing commentators were vocal about reports of Venezuelan gang members from the Tren de Aragua being deported to El Salvador's high-security CECOT prison. Now, the conversation may take a sharp turn — those gang members may not be heading to CECOT after all, but instead facing lengthy stays in U.S. federal prisons.

This Monday, the Department of Justice unveiled two major indictments targeting 27 individuals linked to Tren de Aragua. The group faces charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, with alleged offenses ranging from human trafficking and drug distribution to racketeering and gun crimes.

According to the DOJ’s press release, “Of the 27 defendants, 21 are in federal custody, including 16 who were already in federal criminal, immigration, or state custody and five who were arrested last night and today in operations in New York and other jurisdictions.”

The indictment outlines the gang’s mission as “[p]reserving and protecting the power and territory of TdA and its members and associates through acts involving murder, assault, robbery, other acts of violence, and threats of violence, including acts of violence and threats of violence directed at former members and associates of TdA who associated with a splinter organization known as Anti-Tren.”

It also alleges the gang trafficked young women from Venezuela to the United States and Peru for sexual exploitation. On top of that, Tren de Aragua was reportedly distributing a drug blend called “tusi,” which includes ketamine, MDMA, and other banned substances.

If convicted, the individuals named in the indictment could face prison terms ranging from 15 to 20 years.

Pam Bondi, speaking on behalf of the DOJ, emphasized the severity of the charges and the agency’s stance on Tren de Aragua’s threat level.

“As alleged, Tren de Aragua is not just a street gang — it is a highly structured terrorist organization that has destroyed American families with brutal violence, engaged in human trafficking, and spread deadly drugs through our communities,” Bondi stated.

“Today’s indictments and arrests span three states and will devastate TdA’s infrastructure as we work to completely dismantle and purge this organization from our country.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch also addressed the matter, highlighting her department’s role in the operation.

“Tren de Aragua is one of the most dangerous gangs in the country, and the NYPD has taken significant action to shut down their operations in New York City,” Tisch said.

“For the first time ever, TdA is being named and charged as the criminal enterprise that it is. This isn’t just street crime — it’s organized racketeering, and this gang has shown zero regard for the safety of New Yorkers.

“As alleged in the indictment, these defendants wreaked havoc in our communities, trafficking women for sexual exploitation, flooding our streets with drugs, and committing violent crimes with illegal guns. Thanks to the dedicated members of the NYPD and the important work of our federal partners, their time is up.”

Further details emerged when the DOJ unsealed the indictment on Wednesday, revealing key information about Jose Enrique Martinez Florez — also known as “Chuqui.” According to The Hill, Florez is “a high-ranking TdA leader in Bogota, Colombia and is part of the inner circle of senior TdA leadership.”

The DOJ claims Florez helped traffic over five kilograms of cocaine internationally, with the profits allegedly used to fund the gang’s criminal network. He was apprehended in Colombia on March 31 on a U.S. warrant and remains in custody there.

FBI Director Kash Patel shared the news on X, formerly Twitter, calling the charges a significant win in the fight against gang-related terrorism.

“This FBI is letting good cops be cops. This is the result,” Patel posted.

The contrast between this administration’s approach and that of the previous one could hardly be clearer.