ICE Arrests Suspected Member of Violent Venezuelan Gang in Raleigh

ICE arrested Ricardo Granadillo-Padilla, a suspected member of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, during a Raleigh raid. He was detained for federal charges related to illegal entry and linked to a mass shooting in Chicago. The operation included U.S. Marshals, highlighting an ongoing initiative against transnational gangs.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid in Raleigh on Saturday, resulting in the arrest of Ricardo Granadillo-Padilla, a 24-year-old suspected member of a violent Venezuelan gang. He is currently held on a federal detainer, though it remains unclear if he is still in local custody or has been transferred to another facility. During the operation, authorities also seized a handgun, ammunition, and apprehended ten additional Venezuelan nationals.

Involving ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service, the raid’s exact location and the status of the other detained occupants have not yet been disclosed by federal officials. Granadillo-Padilla is suspected to be a part of the Tren de Aragua gang, which has reportedly extended its activities beyond South America into North America.

Retired FBI agent Chris Swecker commented on the gang’s global reach, stating, “They have spread out across the globe, primarily in South America, up through Panama, through Mexico, into the U.S.” Granadillo-Padilla’s arrest coincides with a federal crackdown on the gang initiated just days prior by both U.S. and Canadian authorities, emphasizing cooperation to eradicate the gang’s presence.

INTERPOL Washington Director Jeffrey Grimming noted, “By bringing our combined law enforcement resources to bear, the United States and Canada have ensured that TdA will find no safe harbor in either of our nations.” Additionally, ICE claims Granadillo-Padilla may be linked to a mass shooting incident in Chicago earlier this year, although specifics regarding the shooting remain undisclosed.

ICE revealed that Granadillo-Padilla was wanted for illegal entry into the U.S. after crossing near El Paso, Texas, on October 1, 2022. He was paroled but missed an immigration appointment scheduled for September 12, 2024. Swecker highlighted Raleigh’s strategic location, noting, “Raleigh is a major transit point. It always has been for drug traffickers, because of I-85 and I-95 passing through and nearby.”

Granadillo-Padilla has already appeared in federal court in Raleigh, where a magistrate judge ordered his case be transferred to the federal court system in the Western District of Texas. The law enforcement actions taken indicate a focused initiative against transnational gang activities and emphasize the importance of interagency cooperation.

The arrest of Ricardo Granadillo-Padilla marks a significant step in addressing the operational reach of the Tren de Aragua gang in the U.S. Law enforcement agencies are increasingly focusing on dismantling these transnational criminal organizations, highlighting their global expansion and potential risks to public safety. The collaborative effort between U.S. and Canadian authorities signifies a united front against such violent entities.

Original Source: www.wral.com