Ten Members of Tren de Aragua Gang Indicted in Major NYC Gun Trafficking Ring

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Ten members or associates of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua have been indicted on charges related to a large gun trafficking operation in New York City. The indictment, which includes 120 counts, was announced by the Queens District Attorney and the NYPD. The charges against the defendants include criminal sale of a firearm in the first and third degrees, criminal possession of a firearm in the second and third degrees, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, attempted criminal sale of a firearm in the first degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. All of the defendants were also charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree.

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The investigation, which began in June 2024, led to the seizure of 30 weapons, including two AR-15 assault rifles, and 48 grams of a drug cocktail known as "pink cocaine." The defendants used cell phones and WhatsApp to coordinate the sales, which often took place in broad daylight, including transactions in a shopping center parking lot in College Point and the Bronx. The sale prices of the guns ranged from $1,200 to $2,800.

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Eight of the ten defendants have been arrested, with two still at large. The arrested individuals are expected to stand trial in New York, and if convicted, they could face significant prison time. For instance, Enyerbert Blanco, the alleged ringleader, faces a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

The investigation involved collaborative efforts from local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Regional Task Force, and local law enforcement in Miami and Texas. The NYPD's Firearms Investigation Unit also played a crucial role in the operation.