DPS Captures 'Tren de Aragua' Gang Member in Houston

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the arrest of a member of the notorious Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, marking a breakthrough in the fight against international organized crime pouring across the U.S. southern border. The suspect, Jorgenys Robertson Cova, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was captured in Houston on Monday, Oct. 7. This operation involved the collaboration of DPS Special Agents, the Houston Police Department, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Cova, who was residing in Houston and scheduled for an asylum hearing the same day, was identified as a TdA gang member through an ongoing investigation. DPS Special Agents stationed at the Houston Texas Anti-Gang Center (TAG) received intelligence about his presence in late September. Investigators also discovered that Cova was wanted for theft in Pearland, Texas.

Crucial to his identification were the tattoos on Cova’s arms, which included symbols commonly associated with the Tren de Aragua gang, such as a five-point crown and a clock surrounded by roses. These markings provided further evidence of his gang affiliation. Cova was arrested without incident and is currently being held in Brazoria County Jail.

Governor Greg Abbott's Public Safety Office has offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of other suspected Tren de Aragua members involved in criminal activities. The state is heightening its efforts to combat the growing threat posed by the gang to public safety.

About the Tren de Aragua: A Rising Threat

The Tren de Aragua gang, originally from Venezuela, has gained international notoriety for its extensive criminal operations. Formed in the Tocorón prison, the gang grew under the leadership of Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, also known as "Niño Guerrero." Initially confined to Venezuela, the gang has expanded its reach across Latin America and into the United States, largely due to the Venezuelan refugee crisis. It now operates in several countries, including Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and the U.S.

The gang’s activities are far-reaching, engaging in human trafficking, drug smuggling, arms trafficking, illegal mining, and kidnappings for ransom. They have also formed alliances with other powerful criminal organizations, such as Brazil’s Primeiro Comando da Capital. The Tren de Aragua’s dominance in human trafficking routes throughout Latin America has made them one of the most dangerous transnational criminal organizations, forcing law enforcement agencies across multiple countries to prioritize their dismantling.

While the 2023 raid on their Tocorón prison headquarters temporarily disrupted the gang’s operations, its leadership remains at large, and its activities continue to endanger public safety across the Americas.

The capture of Jorgenys Cova illustrates influence of the Tren de Aragua in Texas and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat their spread.