HSI New York led arrest of Tren De Aragua fugitive found in possession of loaded firearm

NEW YORK — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York led the arrest of a Tren De Aragua fugitive during an operation with federal and state partners Jan. 28 in the Bronx, New York.

Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, 26, of Venezuela, is charged with being a fugitive in possession of a firearm and ammunition, via a criminal complaint, with being a fugitive from justice in possession of a firearm. at the U.S. District Court for the District of Southern New York. Additionally, Zambrano-Pacheco was ordered to be detained.

“Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco is an alleged dangerous fugitive affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational criminal organization known for terrorizing the American public as seen in horrifying videos from Colorado,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker. “HSI’s operation yesterday is proof that collaboration between federal, state and law enforcement partners is essential to combat emerging threats and trends to our communities wherever we encounter them. We are committed to leading multijurisdictional and international investigations that target gang leaders, members and associates in the United States and abroad to maintain public safety.”

According to the investigation, on Jan. 28, law enforcement tracked Zambrano-Pacheco to an apartment in the Bronx, New York, where they saw a Smith and Wesson 9mm Pro Series pistol in a dresser drawer. The gun was loaded with nine rounds of ammunition.

HSI Denver, the Aurora Police Department, the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Border Patrol’s Intelligence Unit, and the New York Police Department supported the investigation leading to the charges.

“As alleged, the defendant — a member of the violent Venezuelan transnational gang known as Tren de Aragua — went on the lam for several months after committing an armed home invasion and other crimes in Colorado,” said U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sasson. “When he was located and arrested in New York City, he was found with a gun and ammunition. This Office is committed to addressing the threat of Tren de Aragua head-on. Thanks to the work of the career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners, the defendant is now apprehended and members of Tren de Aragua are being brought to justice.”

As alleged in the complaint filed Jan. 28, law enforcement officers have been conducting an investigation of suspected members and affiliates of the violent transnational gang Tren de Aragua (“TDA”), including Zambrano-Pacheco. TDA originated in Venezuela and has established a substantial foothold in the U.S., including in New York City. There are substantial intra-gang conflicts within TDA, and, in some cases, TDA members have disavowed the gang and described themselves as “Anti-Tren.” TDA members have engaged in numerous shootings and murders, and much of this violence is driven by hostilities between TDA and “Anti-Tren” members.

On Aug. 18, 2024, police officers in Aurora, Colorado, responded to the report of a shooting that left one person dead. Surveillance footage from a nearby apartment building showed six armed men — including a person later identified to be Zambrano-Pacheco — entering two apartment units while armed with handguns and an assault rifle. A warrant was issued for Zambrano-Pacheco’s arrest in Colorado on or about Sept. 17, 2024, based on an arrest affidavit seeking to charge Zambrano-Pacheco with burglary and menacing. On or about Oct. 22, 2024, a separate warrant was issued for Zambrano-Pacheco’s arrest relating to other charges, including kidnapping, criminal extortion, and menacing.