Defendants with alleged ties to Tren de Aragua (TdA) are facing serious time behind bars.
Maikel Jesus Albornoz-Jimenez, Eduard Jesus Velasquez-Matute, Faren Aldahir Marquez-Cruz, Jose Luis Baza-Rodriguez, and Luis Manuel Tovar-Virguz are being charged with numerous federal crimes ranging from drug trafficking to firearms trafficking.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said some of these defendants are suspected of having ties to Tren de Aragua or a splinter faction of TDA, Anti-Tren.
President Donald Trump designated TdA as a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025.
The DOJ noted law enforcement observed a picture of Albornoz-Jimenez on his Apple iCloud account wearing what appeared to be a Venezuelan special action police force uniform with ties to former President Nicolas Maduro and TdA.
“Illegal firearms and narcotics trafficking like the activity charged in this indictment is dangerous, enables other violence, and puts Tennesseans at risk. Thanks to the cooperation of our partner law enforcement agencies, we have all the tools we need to put these illegal gun traffickers and drug traffickers out of business for good,” United States Attorney Braden Boucek said.
“Drugs and violence often go hand-in-hand, tearing families apart and destroying our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Field Division.
“This case shows how effective law enforcement can be when agencies at every level work together; I’m very proud of the work being done by DEA and our partners on the Homeland Security Task Force to shut down criminal organizations and bring the bad actors to justice,” he said.
Albornoz-Jimenez, Baza-Rodriguez, and Tovar-Virguz are charged with a drug trafficking conspiracy involving more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine, more than 50 grams or a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, and other controlled substances.
Velasquez-Matute, Marquez-Cruz, and Albornoz-Jimenez are charged with a firearms trafficking conspiracy.
These defendants are also facing individual charges relating to using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, drug trafficking offenses, firearms trafficking offenses, and being an alien in possession of a firearm.
According to the DOJ, Albornoz-Jimenez acted as a supplier of firearms and narcotics in Tennessee as well as other states.
Velasquez-Matute and Marquez-Cruz would act as suppliers of firearms for Albornoz-Jimenez to sell, the DOJ said, adding that some of these guns sold were reported stolen or associated with other violent acts.
Baza-Rodriguez acted as a source for supplying and facilitating narcotic deals in Washington state, the DOJ said, noting some of these deals were brokered by Albornoz-Jimenez.
Tovar-Virguz trafficked meth with Albornoz-Jimenez, the DOJ noted.
According to the DOJ, the Tennessee drug conspiracy involved approximately 112 grams of methamphetamine, 340 grams of MDMA and Ketamine, and 870 grams of cocaine.
Furthermore, the DOJ said the gun trafficking conspiracy led to the seizure of 25 firearms, including eight firearms previously reported as stolen.
None of these defendants were from America, the DOJ said, adding that Marquez-Cruz is a legal permanent resident from Honduras while the others are illegal immigrants from Venezuela.
“This case highlights the power of partnership, combining federal, state, and local resources to fight against violent gangs and transnational criminal organizations that illegally traffic firearms and dangerous drugs across our borders,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to stop threats before more lives are put at risk and ensure criminal organizations are held accountable.”
– – –
Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
