The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is concerned about the presence of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a multinational criminal organization, in the state. This announcement comes in response to increased public and media queries about the gang’s operations, which have alarmed locals and law enforcement agencies.
Scroll down to see the TBI’s video from Friday.
In a video statement, TBI Director David Rausch stated that Tren de Aragua is active in Tennessee, particularly in human trafficking operations in the state’s largest cities. “We’re concerned,” Rausch added, highlighting the gang’s violent nature and readiness to challenge law authorities and competing cartels.
While Rausch stated that homeowners need not fear immediate threats outside their houses, the TBI has encouraged vigilance. According to the director, these individuals progress from human trafficking to organized retail crime and then narcotics trafficking. They have used violence in communities around the country, particularly to defend territory they claim as their own, according to Rausch.
Rausch further emphasized the gang’s violent behavior toward law enforcement, portraying them as having “no respect” for officers. The TBI is actively disseminating intelligence to local law enforcement organizations, ensuring that police are ready to detect and neutralize the threat.
The TBI, which coordinates human trafficking investigations in Tennessee, has obtained information about the group through substantial collaboration with federal, state, and local partners. Rausch remarked that due to the complexities of intelligence operations and the gang’s nomadic nature, several smaller police stations may be unaware of Tren de Aragua’s actions.
TBI remarks on Tren de Aragua in Tennessee represent a significant shift. After prior arrests appeared to have resulted in their temporary removal from the state, new information indicates their re-emergence. The TBI claims they are now working to keep the gang from growing into more violent and widespread criminal activity.
The TBI asks the public to be watchful and to report any indicators of human trafficking, which is a major emphasis of the gang’s operations. To learn more about human trafficking and its warning signs, go to www.ithastostop.com.