In the Spanish city of Molina de Segura, located in the autonomous community of Murcia, National Police officers have arrested a 38-year-old woman suspected of being a member of one of South America’s most dangerous criminal organizations—the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The arrest took place on November 7, as the suspect was leaving the apartment where she had been hiding from law enforcement.
The woman was internationally wanted at the request of Chile, where she is accused of involvement in large-scale money laundering schemes with funds obtained through criminal activity. According to investigators, she was in charge of the gang’s financial operations, using shell companies and bank accounts to legitimize money obtained through fraud and extortion. In a short period, these schemes laundered more than 119 million euros.
Tren de Aragua, which originated in Venezuela about two decades ago, has expanded its influence to several Latin American countries in recent years. In Chile, where the group is considered one of the main threats to national security, it is blamed for particularly brutal crimes, including murders and kidnappings. In particular, cases have been reported in Arica where victims were buried alive.
In Spain, 16 alleged members of this gang have been detained over the past year and a half. Just a week earlier, another operation led to the arrest of 13 people who, according to investigators, were attempting to form new criminal networks in Barcelona and Madrid. Authorities fear that Tren de Aragua may be using Spain as a launching pad to expand its activities in Europe.
International investigation and the fight against transnational crime
The operation to apprehend the fugitive was the result of close cooperation between Spanish and Chilean law enforcement agencies. After a large-scale raid in Chile, which resulted in the arrest of 52 gang members, the suspect managed to escape and made her way to Spain. Since July of this year, police had been monitoring her to determine her whereabouts and prevent further criminal activity.
Tren de Aragua is notorious not only for money laundering but for a whole range of serious crimes: human trafficking, drug trade, illegal arms dealing, kidnappings, and contract killings. The organization operates covertly, using elaborate schemes and front companies to conceal its operations. Eight countries in South America have already faced its influence, and now Spain is among the states where the gang is trying to establish itself.
The arrest in Murcia marks a significant step in the fight against international organized crime. Authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover possible links between the detainee and other members of the group, as well as to prevent further expansion of Tren de Aragua into Europe.
