Over 100 Taken in One Sweeping Move—ICE Didn’t Hold Back!

Federal agents carried out a large-scale crackdown on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua in Aurora, Colorado, on Wednesday, arresting more than 100 alleged members. The operation, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeted apartment complexes that authorities say the gang had taken over, using vacant units as hideouts. The raids were a coordinated effort involving multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the FBI.

According to KDVR, the operation covered at least four apartment complexes, including The Edge at Lowry. Another location targeted was the Whispering Pines complex, as reported by ABC News. Agents moved systematically, marking doors with red tape if no one answered and green tape if residents allowed them inside. Outside, a group of protesters used a megaphone to warn tenants not to engage with federal officers.

The DEA’s Rocky Mountain Division confirmed that another raid took place at Cedar Run Apartments. In a video released by the agency, officers were seen using a smoke grenade before forcing entry into one of the units. The operation was part of a broader effort to disrupt the gang’s growing influence in the region.

The crackdown aligns with the Biden administration’s intensified focus on illegal immigration and criminal organizations operating within U.S. borders. The administration has faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum—some arguing for stricter enforcement, others advocating for more humane immigration policies.

In a statement, ICE’s Denver Enforcement and Removal Operations team confirmed that the operation specifically targeted Tren de Aragua members. Acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello emphasized that federal agents had to conduct community-wide raids due to a lack of cooperation from local jails, which have refused to detain undocumented immigrants at the federal government’s request.

This latest enforcement effort highlights the ongoing tension between federal agencies and local jurisdictions over immigration policies. While the Biden administration has taken a measured approach to immigration enforcement, cases involving organized crime appear to be pushing authorities to take more aggressive action.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to release further details on the arrested individuals and any additional operations planned to dismantle the gang’s presence in Colorado and beyond.