Tren de Aragua Targets North Dakota as it Unleashes Havoc on US
As the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) extends its reach across the U.S., authorities have confirmed its presence in North Dakota, one of the nation’s least populated states.
The expansion of the deadly gang was confirmed with the arrest of suspected member Henry Theis in West Fargo, North Dakota, in early November.
Theis, who was initially pulled over for driving without his headlights on, was found to be carrying over $24,000 in cash. The money was reportedly stolen from a nearby bank. Further investigation of his vehicle uncovered a facemask, a latex glove, cables, and a computer keyboard, according to KXLG.
Law enforcement later revealed that Theis had confessed to being part of a group of hackers using a virus to “jackpot” ATMs, stealing large sums of money.
Two additional suspects were arrested, bringing the total stolen amount to nearly $100,000. Theis identified Jefferson Rodriguez-Quintero and Ryber Sanchez as co-conspirators, both of whom were also taken into custody, local reports say.
In addition to North Dakota, the gang is active in Colorado, Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Most recently, it has expanded into Virginia, Montana, and Wyoming, according to a Homeland Security memo
North Dakota, home to some of the nation’s smallest communities, is now grappling with this unexpected threat. West Fargo, where Theis was arrested, has a population of under 40,000, making it one of the least populated cities in the state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite the area’s remoteness, it now finds itself under the shadow of one of the most notorious gangs in Latin America.
The gang’s activities in the U.S. have encompassed multiple criminal enterprises, including human trafficking, extortion, and drug distribution. However, the recent revelation of hacking schemes aimed at stealing from ATMs marks a new and alarming phase of their operations.
Tren de Aragua won't last a week, not only will the governor send in the National Guard, but ND is one of the most heavily armed redneck states, think 1984 Red Dawn.
