The Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang has infiltrated New York City shelters where thousands of migrants are being housed, with sources telling The Post that the violent gang is using scooters to transport weapons and drugs and has established a stronghold at Randall’s Island.
The TDA originates from Venezuela and has a history of violence, including extortion, drug trafficking, and murder. In recent years, the gang expanded its operations into other South American countries and even the United States, with members sneaking across the border among the millions of migrants who have arrived in the US.
According to sources, TDA has established a presence at several shelters in New York City, including Randall’s Island, which serves as the gang’s “main hub site.” Migrant dealers working for TDA have been arrested and kicked out of some shelters but continue to operate from the sidelines.
The gang has also infiltrated other shelters, such as the massive Hall Street shelter in Brooklyn, where a high-ranking TDA member was caught violating rules and booted from the facility but returns every other day to collect drug sales proceeds and mediate conflicts between gang members.
TDA members have been identified by distinctive tattoos that often include anchors, clocks, crowns, and references to “guerrero,” which means warrior in Spanish but also pays homage to Hector “Nino” Guerrero, the leader of Tren de Aragua in Venezuela. The gang tats also frequently feature the number “23” or NBA stars Michael Jordan and LeBron James, who wear that number on their jerseys.
The sources said TDA recruiters worked city shelters to enlist new members, often strong-arming them into joining their ranks under the threat of having their families targeted by the gang.
With many job-seeking migrants taking food delivery jobs, TDA exploited the industry by putting armed robbers and even hit men on mopeds and scooters, often posing as deliverymen. Guns and drugs were smuggled into shelters like Randall’s Island inside food deliver bags – which are rarely searched or put through metal detectors by security.
Migrant hit teams also use the scooters to eliminate rivals or breakaway gang members, with a driver and gunman on the two-wheelers and gang members keeping tabs from nearby cars, according to sources. The sources said TDA members are not shy about opening fire on cops, a standard practice back home in Venezuela, where shooting at police typically means you can get away.
When nabbed in New York, TDA gang members have spilled their guts about their crimes – but most refuse to fess up to their affiliation with the vicious and vindictive gang for fear of retribution.
