The recent arrest of a Venezuelan gang member in Houston underscores the complex challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling transnational crime. Texas authorities arrested four gang members in San Antonio including one in Houston. The Houston arrest was a Tren de Aragua gang member named Jorgenys Robertson Cova. Authorities were able to quickly link him to the gang because of his tattoos. Texas Governor Abbott soon introduced a statewide operation for the Tren de Aragua gang labeling them a terrorist group.
Arrest Details and Gang Ties
On October 7, 2024, Special Agents from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) apprehended Jorgenys Robertson Cova in Houston. The arrest resulted from a collaboration between the DPS, Houston Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Cova, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, has been connected to the notorious Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. U.S. law enforcement identified him as a gang member in late September, reinforcing the presence of transnational criminal syndicates on American soil.
Despite facing criminal charges and holding tattoos associated with TdA, Cova was set for an asylum hearing on the day of his arrest. Authorities quickly acted on pending charges, including warrants for theft in Pearland, Texas. The arrest was executed without incident, and Cova was subsequently detained at the Brazoria County Jail, underlining the ongoing threat of international crime.
NEW: DPS Captures Tren de Aragua Gang Member in Houston
A confirmed Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang member is now in custody following his arrest on Monday, Oct. 7, by @TxDPS Special Agents in Houston.
Working in collaboration with the Houston Police Department and U.S. Immigration… pic.twitter.com/RqVhWdKvuj
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) October 8, 2024
Tren de Aragua’s Influence in the U.S.
The Venezuelan cartel, known for its extensive network, operates with over 5,000 members dispersed across the U.S. and Venezuela. U.S. authorities, including the Public Safety Office of Governor Greg Abbott, recognize the gang’s menace and have embarked on comprehensive operations to dismantle its influence. Abbott declared the gang a terrorist organization and launched an operation aiming to disrupt their criminal activities and cut off their foothold in the region.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched a “comprehensive, statewide operation that will aggressively target” the gang members.
The gang’s list of criminal activities is extensive, including human trafficking, extortion, money laundering, and more. In one operation alone, four other members were detained in San Antonio, attesting to the expansive nature of the gang’s criminal operations. The individuals remain in ICE custody while awaiting immigration proceedings, indicating a proactive stance against such threats.
NEW: TX: Multi-agency operation leads to arrest of 4 confirmed Tren de Aragua #TdA members arrested after task force clears nearly 300 vacant apartments in San Antonio—@SATXPolice received complaints from an apartment complex including:
•Narcotics violations
•Human trafficking… pic.twitter.com/JUmpfJtu0N— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) October 5, 2024
The Bigger Picture in Law Enforcement
The arrest of Cova and his associates signifies a broader battle against international gangs seeking to exploit American soil. The cooperation among local, state, and federal agencies represents a reinforced strategy geared toward mitigating these threats. Yet, these partnerships are continuously tested by the sophisticated networks maintained by gangs like TdA. As law enforcement intensifies its operations, respect for the law and the safety of communities remain paramount in securing America’s borders and streets.
The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested two members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) in San Antonio last week, according to a news release.
Governor Abbott continues to advocate for stringent measures, including a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of further TdA members engaged in criminal acts. Such incentives testify to the ongoing endeavor to protect national interests, demanding vigilant and informed citizens as critical collaborators in the fight against transnational crime.
