Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Mexican national in Dallas with confirmed ties to the violent Surenos street gang, according to reports.
The individual, identified as Juan Carlos Torres Negrete, was apprehended on June 30 for alleged involvement in criminal activity linked to the Surenos — a transnational gang with deep roots in Southern California and allegiance to the Mexican Mafia — according to My Texas Daily.
“The Surenos, also known as Sur 13, is a transnational criminal street gang that originated in Southern California with hundreds of cliques around the United States. The Surenos and their affiliates pay tribute to the Mexican Mafia, and the number thirteen is their symbol signifying ‘M’ in the alphabet for Mexican Mafia,” the Department of Homeland Security website states.
ICE posted on Instagram that Torres will remain in custody pending removal proceedings due to his alleged violent behavior.
Federal officials have consistently warned about the national security threat posed by gang members entering the country illegally. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently apprehended five gang members among a group of 11 illegal aliens — one of whom was confirmed to be a member of the Surenos gang.
“Border Patrol agents are vigilant in keeping these gang members out of our communities. These violent criminals continuously try to evade arrest by blending in with larger groups of migrants attempting to enter our country,” said RGV Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez.
Despite ICE’s efforts to remove dangerous individuals like Torres, left-wing activists have continued to target federal agents. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, anarchist militants allegedly carried out an ambush attack outside a detention center near Fort Worth on July 4.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas charged 11 suspects in connection to the attack, in which a gunman shot a police officer in the neck. Their identities and mugshots were uncovered by The Dallas Express.