NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Director David Rausch described new details on the rise of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua (TDA).
In a recent conversation with Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on her “Unmuted with Marsha” podcast, Rausch explained TDA gained prominence in Venezuelan prisons under the Venezuelan government.
“The [Venezuelan] government— ultimately embarrassed by what was going on — went in to take the prisons back and then they claimed that [TDA] all escaped when they went back in to take the prisons back,” Rausch said. “And now, we know where they’ve escaped to. Most of them have transferred to other countries.”
Rausch said TBI agents first noticed TDA in Tennessee two years ago while investigating a human trafficking case. Intelligence information indicated the gang left for a short period.
“All of a sudden now, we’ve seen in the past few months a resurgence,” Rausch added.