Federal prosecutors have charged 27 alleged members and associates of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) with serious crimes, including racketeering, sex trafficking, drug distribution, and murder, in what officials are calling a major blow to one of the most dangerous international gangs operating in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed two sweeping indictments on Tuesday targeting gang activity in the New York City area.
Six of the accused are being charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a powerful tool traditionally used to dismantle organized crime.
Authorities say the gang, once a prison-based group in Venezuela, has evolved into a transnational criminal network, terrorizing communities with brutal violence and trafficking Venezuelan women into sex slavery.
Many victims were coerced through threats, assaults, and the kidnapping of family members, according to federal prosecutors.
“This isn’t just street crime — it’s organized racketeering,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “They trafficked women, flooded our streets with deadly drugs, and committed violent crimes with illegal guns.”
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The gang’s signature drug, known as “pink cocaine” or “tusi”, is a synthetic mix of powerful substances like ketamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and sometimes fentanyl.
It’s dyed pink to resemble traditional cocaine, but its unpredictable effects and dangerous ingredients have made it especially concerning for law enforcement.
So far, 21 of the 27 individuals charged are in federal custody, with five recently arrested across multiple states. Prosecutors say this takedown will “devastate” the gang’s U.S. operations.
The DOJ also filed charges against members of Anti-Tren, a rival faction, for engaging in similar crimes.
Both gangs have been accused of spreading violence and exploiting vulnerable communities throughout the NYC metro area between 2022 and 2025.
The State Department designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization earlier this year, underscoring the seriousness of the threat they pose.
