Fort Worth's Showdown Sting: 76 Busted, Tren de Aragua Cartel Tattoos Exposed
Police arrested 76 suspects for gun and drug crimes – including illegal aliens from Venezuela – after a mission called 'Operation Showdown.'
Officials charged the suspects with 'federal and state firearms and drug offenses' after a two-month-long investigation in Fort Worth, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. Police seized 287 guns and close to 23 kg – or 50 lbs – of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin.
'This operation highlights the tremendous work of our law enforcement partners in dismantling criminal networks — located within and outside our borders — that flood our communities with deadly drugs and tools for violence,' said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy Larson for the Northern District of Texas in the release.
Eight illegal aliens from Venezuela are facing drug trafficking charges, according to the release: Benito Castro Marrufo, Carlos Moreno Olivero, Darwin Ayala-Ochoa, Edixon Urdaneta-Colina, Elwin Manama Rodriguez, Kenny Manama Perez, Luis Garcia-Zamora, Rodrigo Riquel Cardozo.
'These defendants are charged with trafficking mixtures of powder cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy),' the release reads. 'They referred to the narcotics they sold as Tusi, which had a distinct pink color, usually indicative of drugs tied to Venezuela.'
The illegals showed up on May 21 'to provide armed protection' for what they thought was a 50 kg meth deal – actually 'a ruse arranged by agents.' They faced charges of firearm possession for drug trafficking, and four allegedly sold 'numerous' 9mm and .380 caliber pistols around the same time.
During the arrests, agents photographed 'crown and star tattoos' on three suspects – Castro Marrufo, Manama Rodriguez, and Urdeneta-Colina, according to the release. These tattoos are common among the brutal Venezuelan cartel Tren de Aragua. Earlier this year, authorities busted a TdA leader near Houston and arrested forty cartel members just outside of Austin.
After conviction, 'individuals who are in the country illegally will be handed over to ICE for deportation proceedings,' said Katherine Miller with the DOJ to The Dallas Express. Dexter Henson, spokesman for ICE-Dallas, told The Dallas Express that its staff were unavailable at the time and could not comment before publication.
In total, 56 suspects are facing federal charges, including illegal firearms trafficking, unlawful possession and transfer of machine guns, unlawful possession of firearms, and firearm use during drug trafficking, according to the release. Charges also include conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Defendants could face anywhere from 10 years to life in prison.
Twenty suspects are also facing state charges in the Tarrant County District Court for crimes including possession of controlled substances like meth and fentanyl.
Overall, the drugs included 14.8 kg of cocaine – enough to more than 12,300 people, and 480 g of fentanyl – enough to kill 400 people, according to the release. Police also seized 7.5 kg of meth, 1.4 kg of marijuana, and 13 g of heroin. The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office also posted that the weapons seized included 25 machine guns and 147 'machinegun conversion devices.'
Some of the other charges are for methamphetamine trafficking against defendants Darrick Carter, Maya Bradshar, D'Morion Holleman, Raul Penalver, and Charles Blackshire, according to the release – all 'convicted felons.'
Another charge is against Anthony Wilson, who has been on probation since January for 'second-degree robbery' in California, for firearm possession by a felon. He allegedly sold a pistol and ammunition in May, while he had a child in the back seat of his car.
'The public is reminded these charges are merely allegations, and that each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,' the release reads.
The sheriff's SWAT, K9, Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team, and drone units worked with the ATF to execute a 'critical search warrant,' the office posted. They worked 'securing a three-building residence with nine individuals, including two children, ensuring their safety.'
Deputies worked with the Fort Worth Police Department, Tarrant County District Attorney, ATF Dallas, Texas Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE, and U.S. Marshals.
'We remain committed to protecting our communities, combating violent crime, and ensuring justice is served,' the sheriff's office posted.
Eduardo Chavez, DEA special agent in charge in Fort Worth, said in the release that officials have taken 'kilos' of drugs and 'hundreds' of weapons off Fort Worth streets since April.
'We want children to play safely at community parks and ride bikes around neighborhood streets,' Chavez said. 'This joint operation was a giant, positive step toward that goal this summer.'
Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells issued a stark warning in the release to drug and gun traffickers.
'We are sending a simple message today: if you choose to poison our streets, you will be met with the full force of the law — no exceptions, no excuses,' Sorrells said. 'This is about protecting our families and making sure drug dealers know: Tarrant County is not open for business.'
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