HIGH RANKING TREN DE ARAGUA FUGITIVE FROM VENEZUELA ARRESTED IN TENNESSEE THANKS TO INTERPOL COLLABORATION

High Ranking Tren de Aragua Fugitive from Venezuela Arrested in Tennessee Thanks to INTERPOL Collaboration

In a powerful demonstration of international law enforcement coordination, INTERPOL Washington announced the successful apprehension of Luis Alejandro Ruiz Godoy, a high-ranking Tren de Aragua fugitive from Venezuela with a history of violent crimes, including human trafficking, robbery, terrorism, weapons offenses, and escape.

“Through the immediate exchange of critical information and unparalleled cooperation with our international and domestic partners, this dangerous gang leader has been apprehended and will be held accountable for his crimes,” said INTERPOL Washington Acting Director Jeffrey A. Grimming. “Tren de Aragua has emerged as a significant threat to the United States as it infiltrates migration flows from Venezuela. INTERPOL Washington will continue to provide critical intelligence to our police partners across the continent to strengthen border and national security, ensuring these violent gang members find no safe harbor in our country.”

On November 7, INTERPOL Washington received an urgent alert from the INTERPOL Command and Coordination Center (CCC) in Lyon, France, regarding a notice for an international fugitive, issued by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Caracas, Venezuela. Ruiz Godoy, identified as a prominent gang leader, had been traveling toward the United States via Mexico.

Despite his entry into the United States prior to the publication of notice, swift action by INTERPOL Washington’s Global Police Services Division (GPS) ensured his location was identified. GPS Investigative Analysts helped trace Ruiz Godoy to a location in Tennessee. On a November 19 joint operation involving INTERPOL Washington, Ruiz Godoy was arrested in Memphis. He is currently in ICE custody.