Nashville mayor won’t say if Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is in city

[Karah Rucker]

AFTER STATE OFFICIALS WARNED THE VENEZUELAN GANG TREN DE ARAGUA IS IN EVERY MAJOR CITY IN TENNESSEE –

AND ONE GANG MEMBER WAS ARRESTED THIS WEEK IN CHATANOOGA FOR SEX TRAFFICKING –

THE NASHVILLE MAYOR WAS PRESSED ON THE ISSUE.

BUT WHEN ASKED DIRECTLY BY A LOCAL NEWS REPORTER IF THE MEMBERS ARE IN NASHVILLE –

THE MAYOR DIDN’T GIVE A YES OR NO RESPONSE.

“What i will say is chief drake has advice us…we knew they were active in tennessee. The metro nashville police department Has a very active and successful gang unit and they have continually monitored that activity.

THE MAYOR IS ASKED AGAIN…

But you haven’t heard of any sightings or arrests?

Right now i’m not aware – i’ll put it this way. I know mmpd is aware of their presence in tennessee and they’re monitoring what the situation looks like in nashville.

Authorities believe the gang, which originated in Venezuelan prisons, has been expanding its operations in the U.S.

In Tennessee, law enforcement officials are concerned about the gang’s growing presence in ALL MAJOR CITIES – SPECIFICALLY HIGHLIGHTING THE THREAT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND WHAT THE TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DESCRIBES AS “VIOLENT GANG WARS” AND “CONFRONTATIONS WITH THE CARTEL”  BREAKING OUT ON THE STREETS.

THE GANG WAS PUSHED INTO THE SPOTLIGHT EARLIER THIS YEAR FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE CAPTURING ARMED GANG MEMBERS STORMING AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN AURORA COLORADO.

SINCE THEN – TREN DE ARAGUA MEMBERS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO HIGH-PROFILE CRIME FROM MAJOR CITIES FROM TEXAS TO NEW YORK – WITH A CONFIRMED PRESENCE IN NINE STATES AND “REPORTED PRESENCE” IN 10 MORE.

EARLIER THIS MONTH – THREE GANG MEMBERS WERE ARRESTED FOR A MURDER OUTSIDE DALLAS – A FOURTH TDA MEMBER LINKED TO THE CRIME REMAINS AT LARGE.

NYPD SAYING THIS WEEK –

THE GANG MEMBERS ARE BLENDING IN WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE CITY AND SUSPECT THE GANG IS RECRUITING CHILDREN FROM MIGRANT FAMILIES IN SHELTERS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING OUR NEWS UPDATE.

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