(Texas Scorecard) – Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a $5,000 reward for information on members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua who are in the state.
The governor’s Public Safety Office is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to identifying and arresting known or suspected members of the Venezuelan gang who have been involved in criminal activity in Texas.
“Tren de Aragua has spread terror and carnage in every country they’ve been in, and Texas will not allow them to gain a foothold in our state,” said Abbott on Monday. “Today, I am announcing a reward for any information that leads to the identification and arrest of known or suspected members of this gang who have been or are involved in heinous crimes. Texas will not let these thugs use our state as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens.”
The gang is notorious for its involvement in sex trafficking young girls and women and exploiting other Venezuelans. The group has also been behind a string of crimes stretching from New York to Miami and now over to Texas.
Tren de Aragua has also made an appearance in Aurora, Colorado, where they allegedly took over an apartment building. According to a Colorado law firm, the Venezuelan gang began taking over the Whispering Pines Apartments in late 2023. Since then they have been involved in a string of crimes including violent assaults, threats of murder, extortion, and child prostitution.
Additionally, the gang has shown up in Chicago, where members have been linked to narcotics and weapons charges.
Last week, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens posted to X that a confirmed TdA gang member was arrested by Border Patrol agents in El Paso. No other details about the arrest were made public. Owens also relayed that agents have apprehended 70 other members of the gang.
Earlier this month, Abbott declared the Venezuelan gang a foreign terrorist organization, which allows authorities to forfeit the assets of suspected TdA associates.
Abbott is encouraging anyone with information on the TdA gang members to call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Those who provide information to authorities will be eligible to receive cash rewards up to $5,000. All individuals that come forward are guaranteed anonymity by law.