Authorities have announced that a significant raid in San Antonio, targeting a sex and human trafficking ring operated by the Tren de Aragua gang (TdA), has led to the arrest of at least 140 undocumented immigrants.

This operation was a collaborative effort involving the Texas Department of Public Safety alongside federal and local law enforcement agencies, as confirmed by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott.

Coinciding with the raid, a new regional Homeland Security Task Force has been established. This task force is dedicated to combating transnational criminal organizations, with a focus on dismantling drug cartels, foreign terrorist groups, and criminal networks engaged in human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering.

The reasons behind the ICE agents’ early morning traffic stop remain unclear, adding an element of mystery to the unfolding investigation.

This operation aligns with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, which prioritizes the targeting of transnational criminal organizations.

More than 140 illegal immigrants from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico and other South American countries were taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. 

The raid involved multiple federal agencies.

“The Homeland Security Task Force enables the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to bring its sophisticated investigative techniques to the table, which have been instrumental in capturing the most violent drug trafficking organizations in the United States and worldwide,” said the Houston Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, along with other federal law enforcement agencies. Federal authorities conducted a raid Sunday in San Antonio, Texas, making more than 140 arrests, authorities said.  (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“We look forward to working hand in hand with our federal and state counterparts in bringing down drug traffickers pumping poison into our neighborhoods and devastating our communities,” he added.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, whose brother served as mayor of San Antonio, said he has asked the Justice Department and local agencies for more information on the raid. He claimed that raids conducted elsewhere have seen U.S. citizens and immigrants with no criminal record arrested. 

Meanwhile, in Houston, ICE arrested 3,500 criminal illegal aliens, including child predators and murderers, during the 43-day government shutdown.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 25: Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)  speaks during a news conference in February.  (Getty)

The suspects taken into custody include 13 people convicted of murder, 51 child predators, 67 sex offenders and 23 gang members, including an MS-13 gang member charged with a triple homicide in Dallas, authorities said.