FBI arrests 16 Anti-Tren gang members in the largest bust yet against the violent Venezuelan criminal organization, finally striking a blow against the migrant turf war that has terrorized Houston neighborhoods.
Key Takeaways
- The FBI has conducted its largest takedown of Anti-Tren gang members in Houston, arresting 16 members with 14 facing cocaine distribution charges and two facing weapons charges.
- Anti-Tren is a criminal organization formed by former members of Tren de Aragua (TdA), engaged in a violent turf war involving drug trafficking, gun running, and multiple violent crimes including a mass shooting.
- The FBI has placed a $3 million bounty on Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, the alleged second-in-command of TdA, which has spread from Venezuela to multiple countries including the United States.
- The operation is part of President Trump’s “Operation Take Back America,” aimed at combating transnational criminal organizations and illegal immigration.
- If convicted, those charged with drug offenses face up to life imprisonment and a $10 million fine, while firearms offenses could result in up to 15 years in prison.
FBI Conducts Largest Anti-Tren Gang Takedown in Houston
Federal agents have struck a significant blow against Venezuelan gang violence in the United States, arresting 16 members of the notorious Anti-Tren gang in Houston. This operation marks the FBI’s largest crackdown on the criminal organization to date. The arrests come as part of an intensifying effort to combat violent migrant gangs that have established operations in American cities. Fourteen of the arrested individuals face serious charges of conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, while two others are charged with separate weapons violations. The operation represents a major victory in the ongoing battle against transnational criminal organizations that have exploited the border crisis.
The FBI Houston Field Office coordinated the operation, which is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan. The arrests are linked to a violent turf war between Anti-Tren and its rival gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), which has resulted in numerous violent crimes throughout Houston, including a mass shooting at a local sports bar that left six people wounded. These gang conflicts have significantly increased security concerns in areas with large migrant populations, creating fear among law-abiding residents and straining local law enforcement resources.
Your FBI arrested 16 suspected Anti-Tren gang members in Texas in the largest bust yet. And our violent crime takedown this summer isn’t stopping any time soon. pic.twitter.com/2BB4t5iQB8
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) July 2, 2025
The Dangerous Rise of Venezuelan Gangs in America
The Anti-Tren gang emerged as an offshoot of the larger Tren de Aragua organization, which originated in Venezuela. TdA has grown from its beginnings in workers’ unions and the Tocorón Prison under the leadership of Héctor Rutherford Guerrero Flores, known as “Niño Guerrero.” According to intelligence reports, TdA has become the first Venezuelan criminal group to successfully expand its operations to other Latin American countries and multiple U.S. states, including Texas. With an estimated membership exceeding 4,000, the organization has established a significant criminal footprint across the Western Hemisphere.
“Anti-Tren is a criminal organization almost exclusively comprised of former members and associates of Tren de Aragua (TdA),” stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The group has been linked to numerous violent crimes, including execution-style murders and sex trafficking operations.
The FBI has placed a $3 million bounty on Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano, the alleged second-in-command of TdA, highlighting the serious threat these organizations pose to American security. Both President Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott have designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization, recognizing the extreme danger posed by these criminal enterprises that have infiltrated the United States through the southern border. Texas law enforcement has made cracking down on TdA and its offshoots a top priority.
Operation Take Back America Targets Transnational Criminal Organizations
The recent arrests are part of President Trump’s broader initiative called “Operation Take Back America,” which aims to combat the influx of transnational criminal organizations and secure the nation’s borders. The operation marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and criminal organizations that threaten American communities. This comprehensive approach represents a significant shift from previous administrations’ more lenient policies toward border security and immigration enforcement.
“These arrests are the largest takedown of suspected Anti-Tren members and associates by the FBI, so far, and they happened right here in Houston. These individuals are accused of engaging in a turf war with TdA members and carrying out numerous violent crimes throughout our city, including a mass shooting at a local sports bar that left six people wounded. Fortunately, for the good and safety of our community, these individuals are now in federal custody facing U.S. justice,” said Douglass Williams, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Houston Field Office.
Among those arrested was Jose Miguel Briceno, a Venezuelan illegal immigrant charged with unlawful possession of ammunition and involvement in the mass shooting at a Houston sports bar. The bar shooting at Latinas Sports Bar injured six people and highlighted the escalating violence associated with these criminal organizations. This case demonstrates the direct connection between illegal immigration and violent crime that has plagued American cities, particularly in border states like Texas that have borne the brunt of the immigration crisis.
Severe Consequences Await Gang Members
The charges against the Anti-Tren members carry potentially severe penalties, reflecting the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating these cases. If convicted, those charged with drug offenses face up to life imprisonment and a $10 million fine. Those facing firearms charges could receive up to 15 years in federal prison. These harsh penalties demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to cracking down on criminal organizations that exploit America’s immigration system and threaten public safety.
“The Southern District’s twin priorities are securing our border and the eradication of violent crime. This case implicates both,” stated U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, emphasizing the interconnected nature of immigration enforcement and public safety.
The operation against Anti-Tren represents a significant step in addressing the growing presence of transnational criminal organizations in the United States. As these gangs have expanded their territories and operations, they have brought with them increased violence, drug trafficking, and human exploitation. The FBI’s successful operation serves as a warning to other criminal organizations that federal authorities are taking decisive action to dismantle their networks and bring their members to justice, protecting American communities from the scourge of gang violence that has accompanied the border crisis.
