Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: Venezuelan Gang in ‘All Major Cities’ in State

Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), has made its way into “all major cities” of Tennessee. Director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, David Rausch, reported to Governor Bill Lee that TdA is operating “in all of our major cities. They are running human trafficking operations, that’s where they start. We are now talking with our peers throughout the country that they have a pathway to more violence.”

Earlier this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared TdA a foreign terrorist organization and Texas Department of Public Safety began creating a database to identify TdA members, characterizations, and arrests. However, no such database currently exists at the local, state or federal level, reports The Center Square.

In response to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s warning, Gov. Lee issued a statement on X saying, “The border crisis is exactly why Americans voted for change. It’s not political – it’s about safety & security. TN will support @realdonaldtrump as he secures our border while delivering key resources for @TBInvestigation to stop illegal criminals from operating in our state.”

Just before Thanksgiving, Rausch announced a joint investigation involving the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Chattanooga Police Department, the state’s Human Trafficking Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, which resulted in the arrest of four men, including a TdA member.

They were allegedly involved in a sex trafficking ring using a local hotel. The confirmed TdA member is also suspected of committing violent crimes in Chicago and New York City, TBI said.

Rausch’s warning prompted several local jurisdictions to release statements. The Metro Nashville Police Department said, “This police department is well aware of Tren de Aragua and the criminal activity associated with its members. We have a heightened awareness for any such activity seen here.”

The Knoxville Police Department and Knox County Sheriff’s Office said they hadn’t identified TdA members but were closely monitoring their jurisdictions. Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said there was no indication that TdA members were operating in the county.