CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tennessee Bureau of Investigation TBI Director David Rausch claims a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, is operating in metropolitan areas across Tennessee, including Chattanooga.
Tren de Aragua originated in a Venezuelan prison and has gained global attention for crimes like drug and human trafficking. The U.S. Treasury classifies it as a transnational criminal organization, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott labels it a terrorist group.
Despite these warnings, local officials in Chattanooga question whether the gang is active in the area. Sheriff Austin Garrett stated there is no current investigation into the gang within Hamilton County Jail, and Police Chief John Chambers said there’s no evidence of gang activity in the city.
Rausch insists the TBI has intelligence suggesting the gang is present, saying, “We don’t want to see them move into their next phases.” He acknowledged the public need not panic but emphasized the importance of vigilance.
Tren de Aragua’s leader, “Niño Guerrero,” faces a $12 million U.S. State Department bounty for his arrest. He is accused of controlling prisons, gold mines, and drug routes in Venezuela. The gang’s second-in-command was recently arrested in Colombia.
Although local officials disagree with TBI’s assessment, both state and local authorities encourage the public to report suspicious activity.
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