February 24, 2026New York, NY, United StatesTransnational Gangs

HSI’s Operation Crazy Train continues to dismantle Tren De Aragua following superseding RICO indictments

Officials charged 19 additional terrorist gang members in escalating federal case involving double murder, sex trafficking and firearms offenses

NEW YORK — Homeland Security Investigations New York’s Violent Gang Task Force continues to dismantle the terrorist criminal gang Tren de Aragua, following a Jan. 28 superseding RICO indictment secured by HSI. The indictment charged 19 members with 29 federal counts, including double murder, murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder, assault with dangerous weapons, armed robbery, kidnapping, sex trafficking and firearms offenses.

“HSI New York continues to stand at the forefront of investigations against vicious criminal enterprises like Tren de Aragua and Anti-Tren,” said HSI acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon. “Through their use of ruthless tactics and blatant disregard for human life, TdA and its offshoots are among the fastest emerging transnational criminal organizations to encroach upon American soil. HSI New York, through the Homeland Security Task Force, continues to target these gangs that seek to perpetrate destruction and terror in our communities. Together, alongside our law enforcement partners, we are committed to ensuring that no corners of the TdA and Anti-Tren enterprises are beyond the reach of justice.”

The charges stem from a broader, multiphase investigation: Operation Crazy Train, after TdA and Anti-Tren members assaulted and robbed two on-duty NYPD officers and carried out a double homicide and non-fatal shooting of three U.S. citizens in the Bronx during the Biden administration’s crime wave in 2024.

Since then, federal prosecutors have returned multiple indictments targeting the organization’s domestic membership and international leadership structure.

In April 2025, 27 TdA and Anti-Tren members were indicted on racketeering, narcotics trafficking, sex trafficking, firearms trafficking and murder-for-hire charges. A coordinated multistate takedown followed.

In September 2025, a superseding RICO indictment added charges of murder, murder conspiracy, firearms, possession and use, violent crimes in aid of racketeering and additional RICO violations against 10 members.

In December 2025, a federal grand jury indicted TDA leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, as known as “Niño Guerro,” on racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devises. Guerrero is believed to be in Venezuela.

Criminal enterprise

TdA, founded within Venezuela’s Tocorón prison, expanded into the United States during the Venezuelan migration crisis. Anti-Tren, comprising former TdA members, continued similar violent activity.

Investigators determined the organization replicated tactics used abroad, engaging in extortion, narcotics, trafficking, weapons trafficking, armed robbery and sex trafficking. Young women were transported from Venezuela and other countries and forced into commercial sex work to repay smuggling debts.

Enforcement results to date

Operation Crazy Train has resulted in:

11 firearms seized
Narcotics seized, including Tusi, methamphetamine and fentanyl
Sex trafficking victims identified and rescued
11 TdA members federally charged
40 additional TdA members and associates administratively arrested

HSI New York continues working to locate outstanding subjects and further dismantle TdA’s command structure.

This investigation is being conducted in coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the New York City Police Department, with assistance from Joint Task Force Vulcan, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service’s Regional Fugitive Task Force, and HSI field offices in Miami, Chicago, Sarasota and Portland, as well as HSI Bogotá and other international partners.

Updated: 02/24/2026