ATF Conducts Major Sting Operation in Denver Targeting Weapons and Drug Traffickers
Federal authorities arrested seven individuals in Denver, led by ATF, for trafficking weapons, drugs, and sex workers. The primary focus was on Jose Manuel Guerra-Caballero, a gang member who facilitated illegal arms sales. Undercover agents conducted multiple transactions, yielding firearms and narcotics. Guerra-Caballero faces serious charges as investigations continue into his criminal network’s activities related to trafficking and smuggling.
On January 29, 2024, federal authorities in Denver apprehended seven individuals during an operation targeting alleged trafficking of weapons, drugs, and sex workers. Among those arrested was 37-year-old Jose Manuel Guerra-Caballero, identified by the ATF as a member of the Venezualan gang Tren de Agarua (TdA). Guerra-Caballero acted as the primary contact for undercover agents who purchased firearms under the premise they would be resold in Mexico.
The ATF conducted five transactions over two months with Guerra-Caballero and his associates, beginning in November 2024. These transactions included the sale of a pound of a drug known as “Tusi” during the fourth deal, which is referred to as pink cocaine. Their last recorded purchase on January 24, involved acquiring a loaded AR-15, with an additional request for methamphetamine safeguarded by armed men belonging to Guerra-Caballero’s organization.
On the day of the final drug transaction, six armed men were dispatched for protection, while Guerra-Caballero coordinated via cellphone. After the exchange, undercover agents signaled for law enforcement intervention, leading to the arrest of the armed men and the recovery of five weapons. Notably, these individuals were later confirmed to be undocumented Venezuelans.
Guerra-Caballero was detained in Indiana and faced charges in federal court for conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and possessing firearms during drug trafficking activities. Additionally, he allegedly offered undercover agents access to young women from Mexico and Venezuela, promising they were all under the age of 24, with intentions to traffic some to oil field workers in Wyoming.
The firearms acquired from Guerra-Caballero’s network included a Keltec Sub-2000 rifle, Ruger Speed Six revolver, an altered Glock 22, a Sig Sauer P320, and other weapons, along with ammunition. The ATF’s operation stemmed from prior reports of narcotics and firearms trafficking at the Ivy Crossing Apartments, where a shooting incident had occurred shortly before the investigation initiated.
This investigation highlights the growing issues of illegal arms trafficking and its interconnected relationship with drug-related crimes. Law enforcement continues to address these operations through coordinated efforts involving various agencies, emphasizing the importance of monitoring such illicit activities.
The ATF’s operation underscores a persistent challenge posed by transnational criminal organizations that engage in both drug and weapon trafficking. The Tren de Agarua gang, with a significant influence rooted in Venezuela, is part of a larger narrative involving arms smuggling to support drug distribution networks, primarily to markets in Mexico and the United States. This incident reflects broader trends seen in recent years intended to combat organized crime’s impact on domestic safety and security.
The arrests made by federal authorities in Denver reveal a concentrated effort against illegal arms and drug trafficking linked to organized crime. Guerra-Caballero’s case exemplifies how gangs coordinate criminal operations across borders, prompting agencies to collaborate in combatting these networks and their ramifications in local communities. This operation aims to disrupt the cycle of violence and trafficking that afflicts both domestic and international spheres.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
