HOUSTON — In a significant law enforcement operation targeting the Anti-Tren transnational criminal organization, federal authorities have charged sixteen individuals, including several Venezuelan nationals illegally residing in Houston.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced these charges, which stem from a comprehensive investigation into the operations of Anti-Tren members and associates in the Houston area.
Most of the defendants were scheduled to make their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Two criminal complaints have been filed against fourteen individuals associated with Anti-Tren, charging them with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine.
The individuals charged include Luis Miguel Claros Sarmiento, 26; Dany E. Rojas, 28; Ismael Leon Belbin, 24; Andy Luis Alvarez Herrera, 28; Cesar Oskeiber Cabezas Pacheco, 26; Cesar Mauricio Velasquez, 27; Raul Armando Ramirez Correa, 24; Darwin Martinez, 37; Peter Davila, 34; Otis Jose Rodriguez Garcia, 31; Pedro Hernandez Delgado, 19; Jesus F. Fernandez Troconiz, 26; Embeer J. Gutierrez Ternawskyj, 24; and Raul Antonio Claros Sarmiento, 30, from Honduras.
According to the complaints, these defendants allegedly formed two groups that agreed to transport kilogram quantities of cocaine in exchange for a fee of $15,000 per load, with each group receiving half the payment upfront.
If convicted of the cocaine trafficking conspiracy charges, each defendant could face a maximum penalty of life in prison along with a potential fine of up to $10 million.
In addition to drug charges, several defendants are facing firearm-related offenses. Correa, Ternawskyj, Garcia, Delgado, and Pedro Jose Ramirez Delgado, 26, are charged with the alleged possession and sale of firearms, which could lead to sentences of up to 15 years in prison upon conviction.
Separately, Jose Miguel Briceno, 25, a Venezuelan national living in Houston illegally, has been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition by an alien.
Prosecutors allege Briceno was involved in a mass shooting at the Latinas Sports Bar in Houston this past March, which left six people wounded, including four critically injured.
According to reports, Briceno used a firearm to shoot inside the doorway of the bar and subsequently discarded the weapon, which has not yet been recovered by law enforcement.
If convicted, Briceno could face a maximum of 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Ganjei emphasized the importance of this case, stating, “This case implicates both border security and violent crime. Operation Take Back America means going on the offensive against transnational criminal organizations to ensure that they cannot take root in our community and endanger public safety.”
Douglas Williams, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Houston Field Office, declared this operation as the largest takedown of suspected Anti-Tren members and associates to date.
He noted that the Anti-Tren group is accused of engaging in turf wars with Tren de Aragua (TdA) members and committing numerous violent crimes in Houston, including the Latinas Sports Bar shooting.
This substantial case is a result of a national and multi-agency effort, with investigations led by the FBI Houston Field Office, in collaboration with the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Texas Department of Public Safety, Houston Police Department, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Prosecutors from the Southern District of Texas, the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), and various federal offices nationwide are also involved in this critical case.
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