Patel Ticks Off Series of Major FBI Arrests Including Venezuelan Gangs

Kash Patel announced that more than 25 alleged members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have been arrested as part of a sweeping federal crackdown led by the FBI and its law enforcement partners.

Speaking during National Police Week from the FBI’s Wall of Honor, Patel outlined several major operations targeting gangs, organized crime, foreign influence operations, kidnappings, and child exploitation cases nationwide.

Among the most significant developments was a joint operation conducted through Joint Task Force Vulcan.

According to Patel, authorities arrested more than two dozen alleged Tren de Aragua members and seized:

• 80 firearms
• 18 kilograms of narcotics
• More than $100,000 in cash

Patel said the operation was part of broader efforts “to crush this terrorist-designated organization.”

The FBI also announced that Jose Enrique Martinez Flores — described as the highest-ranking Tren de Aragua member ever brought to justice — was extradited by FBI Houston.

Patel also highlighted several other major criminal investigations involving foreign influence, fraud, violent crime, and child exploitation.

According to Patel, FBI Los Angeles helped secure federal charges against Eileen Wang.

Authorities allege Wang acted as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China while promoting pro-Beijing propaganda and influence campaigns inside the United States.

“She worked to promote pro-PRC propaganda and influence activities in our country,” Patel said.

Meanwhile, FBI San Diego secured a guilty plea from a Philippine national connected to a nationwide $48 million publishing scam that allegedly targeted hundreds of victims, including many senior citizens.

Patel also referenced criminal charges announced by FBI Baltimore involving the catastrophic 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Federal prosecutors charged two foreign operators and a technical superintendent connected to the 900-foot cargo vessel involved in the crash that killed six construction workers.

Additional violent crime prosecutions were highlighted as well.

According to Patel, FBI Boston helped charge two men accused of interstate kidnapping after allegedly abducting a woman, transporting her across state lines, and holding her for ransom.

Patel also emphasized the bureau’s recent efforts targeting crimes against children.

He noted that a former U.S. Navy officer pleaded guilty in a case handled by FBI New York involving attempts to lure a minor online into sexual activity and possession of hundreds of child sexual abuse images and videos.

According to Patel:

• FBI Seattle secured a 25-year sentence against a man convicted of soliciting sex online from minors responding to babysitting advertisements.
• FBI Albany helped obtain an 80-year prison sentence against a Pennsylvania man convicted of abusing and exploiting multiple children across several states.

Patel’s remarks come amid ongoing media scrutiny and political attacks targeting his leadership at the FBI.

In April, the White House publicly rejected reports suggesting President Donald Trump was considering removing Patel after allegations published by The Atlantic regarding excessive alcohol use.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt forcefully defended Patel at the time.

“Crime across the country has plummeted to the lowest level in more than 100 years,” Leavitt said.

“Director Patel remains a critical player on the administration’s law and order team.”

Former FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino also dismissed the reporting as “totally false” and suggested broader forces are attempting to undermine Patel’s leadership.

“The hit on Kash Patel, the bullsh-t hit by The Atlantic, which I addressed yesterday, is gonna make a lot more sense in the coming weeks and months,” Bongino said.

“You’re gonna find out, as they say in the South, right quick about why they need him out, like, now.”

“It’s got nothing to do with that story being even remotely true.”

The FBI’s latest operations underscore the Trump administration’s continued emphasis on aggressive law enforcement, gang suppression, border security, and targeting foreign influence operations tied to adversarial governments and transnational criminal organizations.