A joint Texas and federal operation in San Antonio targeting a sex- and human-trafficking network linked to the Tren de Aragua gang led to the detention of at least 140 undocumented migrants from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico and other South American countries. Officials said the raid was carried out under a presidential executive order and involved multiple federal agencies, including DEA and ICE. Authorities also announced a new regional Homeland Security Task Force to target cartels and transnational criminal networks. Lawmakers have requested additional information to ensure operations do not wrongly detain U.S. citizens or immigrants with no criminal record.
San Antonio Raid on Tren de Aragua Trafficking Ring Leads to About 140 Detentions; Regional Homeland Security Task Force Announced
A joint Texas and federal operation in San Antonio targeting a sex- and human-trafficking network linked to the Tren de Aragua gang led to the detention of at least 140 undocumented migrants from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico and other South American countries. Officials said the raid was carried out under a presidential executive order and involved multiple federal agencies, including DEA and ICE. Authorities also announced a new regional Homeland Security Task Force to target cartels and transnational criminal networks. Lawmakers have requested additional information to ensure operations do not wrongly detain U.S. citizens or immigrants with no criminal record.
02:05 PM, 11/18/2025Security
San Antonio raid targets Tren de Aragua trafficking network
A law enforcement operation in San Antonio tied to members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang resulted in the detention of at least 140 undocumented migrants, officials said Monday. Authorities described the operation as a coordinated effort by the Texas Department of Public Safety alongside federal and local partners.
Officials announced the formation of a new regional Homeland Security Task Force intended to disrupt transnational criminal organizations, including drug cartels, terrorist groups and networks involved in human trafficking, drug smuggling and money laundering.
The raid, conducted Sunday, was carried out under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on Jan. 20 aimed at targeting transnational criminal organizations. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took more than 140 people into custody. Detainees included nationals from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico and other South American countries, agency officials said.
The operation involved multiple federal agencies. Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Houston Field Division, emphasized the DEA's investigative role:
"The Homeland Security Task Force enables the DEA to bring its sophisticated investigative techniques to the table, which have been instrumental in capturing the most violent drug trafficking organizations in the United States and worldwide. We look forward to working hand in hand with our federal and state counterparts in bringing down drug traffickers who are damaging our communities."
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) said he has requested additional information from the Justice Department and local agencies about the San Antonio raid and expressed concern that past operations in other locations have sometimes resulted in arrests of U.S. citizens and immigrants without criminal records.
Separately, officials noted that during a recent 43-day government shutdown, ICE arrested roughly 3,500 individuals in the Houston area identified as criminal aliens, including those charged with violent offenses. Authorities said related enforcement actions included arrests of individuals with prior convictions or charges that included 13 convicted of murder, 51 identified as child predators, 67 sex offenders and 23 gang members — among them an MS-13 member charged in a Dallas triple homicide.
Investigations are ongoing. Authorities did not immediately release the names of those detained or details about pending charges tied specifically to the San Antonio operation.