QUEENS, N.Y. — Ten people have been indicted on charges related to a gun trafficking operation that supplied illegal firearms throughout New York City, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced Wednesday.
The long-term investigation, dubbed Operation Train Derail, led to the seizure of 34 firearms, including two assault rifles, and 48 grams of the synthetic drug known as “pink cocaine.” Prosecutors say the defendants are linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, a Venezuela-based criminal organization.
“As alleged, the defendants conspired to traffic and sell illegal firearms and drugs in New York City, with each defendant playing a different role in furtherance of Tren de Aragua’s agenda,” Katz said.
Authorities said the operation extended beyond New York, with ties to Texas, Colorado, Florida, and even Colombia. The indictment includes 120 charges, ranging from criminal sale of a firearm to conspiracy.
Six defendants were arrested Tuesday, while two remain at large as law enforcement continues its efforts to dismantle the gang’s presence in the city.