WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — In an effort to combat violent crime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an interagency task force in Virginia that resulted in 214 arrests within its initial two-week operation. This initiative has successfully apprehended members of notorious gangs, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua.
The task force represents collaboration among various law enforcement agencies, synchronizing efforts to detain criminals and unauthorized immigrants involved in illicit activities. Among those arrested were four individuals affiliated with Tren de Aragua, 18 MS-13 members, and 16 others linked to transnational organized crime.
FBI Director Kash Patel expressed optimism about the task force’s potential expansion nationwide. “This is the first-in-the-nation, FBI-led interagency task force established to strike at the violent criminals and illegals harming our citizenry and our way of life,” Patel stated.
The operation involved multiple agencies, including various FBI field offices, the U.S. Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, … and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Tren de Aragua, a gang originating from Venezuela, has been identified by the Department of Homeland Security as a threat in Virginia and the greater Washington, D.C., area. The gang has expanded its operations to 16 states across the U.S., often targeting suburban, high-end shopping areas due to their proximity to affluent communities.
MS-13 has a large presence in Virginia. Notably, an MS-13 member faced trial in October for multiple murders over the past five years, including one case where a waitress was fatally shot multiple times, rendering her unrecognizable.
The task force’s efforts also led to the apprehension of individuals associated with the Sinaloa Cartel.
