Cleared Hot: Episode 363 – Dan Brunner on The Rise of Tren de Aragua

Host: Andy Stumpf
Guest: Dan Brunner
Release Date: December 2, 2024

1. Introduction to Dan Brunner

Andy Stumpf welcomes Dan Brunner, a former FBI agent with over 20 years of experience in anti-cartel operations, particularly focusing on Tren de Aragua (TDA). Dan shares his extensive background in law enforcement, highlighting his expertise in organized crime and his insights into the evolving landscape of transnational criminal organizations.

Notable Quote:
"Dan, 20 years in the FBI, anti-cartel operations largely out of the New Jersey area. Very steeped in knowledge and experience..."
[00:45]

2. Understanding Tren de Aragua (TDA)

Dan elucidates that Tren de Aragua is not merely a street gang but a sophisticated transnational criminal organization backed by the Maduro government in Venezuela. TDA's operations span across multiple South American countries and have infiltrated several states in the United States, including Montana.

Notable Quote:
"It's a transnational criminal organization... They are an organization based out of Venezuela with the support of the Maduro government..."
[06:34]

3. Criminal Activities and Expansion of TDA

TDA specializes in various illicit activities:

• Human Trafficking: Smuggling young Venezuelans seeking a better life into the U.S.
• Narcotics and Weapons Smuggling: Moving drugs and weapons across borders.
• Extortion and Prostitution: Employing tactics similar to other notorious gangs like MS-13.

Dan discusses TDA's strategic expansion into the U.S., particularly highlighting their presence in states like Montana and their integration into local Venezuelan communities.

Notable Quote:
"They are committing crimes all throughout South America and now moving into the United States... They're pushing Venezuelan young girls to strongholds like Bozeman, Montana."
[07:11]

4. TDA’s Presence in Montana and Local Implications

Dan points out that Montana has become an epicenter for TDA activities, especially in cities like Bozeman. The influx of TDA members has led to an increase in human trafficking, drug distribution, and other criminal activities within the state.

Notable Quote:
"Bozeman is probably the epicenter for the TDA in Montana... they're probably not even seeing it."
[07:56]

5. Challenges in Combating TDA

Several obstacles hinder effective law enforcement actions against TDA:

• Language Barriers: Many TDA members speak Spanish, complicating investigations.
• Resource Limitations: Overworked FBI agents and limited support from higher authorities.
• Community Trust Issues: Illegal immigrants fear engaging with law enforcement, making it difficult to gather intelligence.
• Organizational Sophistication: TDA employs advanced methods like Bitcoin for money laundering and coordinated tactics for crimes.

Notable Quote:
"If you can't say more than 'ho cha, serve,' you're not going to get anywhere with these communities."
[40:36]

6. Personal Experiences and Insights from Dan Brunner

Dan shares anecdotes from his tenure at the FBI, including high-profile cases against MS-13 and his involvement in Task Force Vulcan. He emphasizes the structured hierarchy of gangs like MS-13 and TDA, the importance of inter-agency collaboration, and the frustrations of bureaucratic red tape that often stalls critical operations.

Notable Quote:
"Ms. 13 was very strict. You don't do something on behalf of the gang without getting approvals... that's how it moved."
[74:37]

7. Recommendations for Enhanced Safety and Awareness

Dan advocates for increased public awareness and proactive measures to combat TDA's influence. He emphasizes the importance of:

• Situational Awareness: Being vigilant about suspicious activities.
• Community Engagement: Building trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.
• Education on Scams: Informing the public about common fraud tactics to prevent financial losses.

Notable Quote:
"The best thing people can do to support the podcast is support the brand that helps bring me here to the studio."
[04:09]

8. Future Outlook and Collaborative Efforts

Looking ahead, Dan discusses his transition from the FBI to collaborating with local law enforcement in Montana. He is actively involved in forming specialized units to target human trafficking and other TDA-related crimes in the Rocky Mountains, aiming to leverage his expertise to mitigate the organization's impact.

Notable Quote:
"We're putting together a team to see what we can do... to combat human trafficking, smuggling..."
[81:24]

9. Conclusion: Navigating a Complex Threat Landscape

Dan and Andy conclude the episode by reflecting on the current state of U.S. law enforcement's ability to handle transnational criminal organizations like TDA. They acknowledge the challenges but remain cautiously optimistic about collaborative efforts and increased public awareness as pivotal in addressing these threats.

Notable Quote:
"We're going to make it through these next eight years. We will survive."
[116:03]

Final Thoughts:
Dan Brunner's insights shed light on the intricate and evolving nature of Tren de Aragua and its ramifications within the United States. His experience underscores the necessity for robust law enforcement strategies, community collaboration, and heightened public vigilance to effectively counteract such sophisticated criminal organizations.

For those seeking further information or assistance, Dan encourages reaching out through his consulting firm, BrunerSierraGroup.com, and subscribing to his weekly newsletters focusing on security awareness.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• "It's a transnational criminal organization... They are an organization based out of Venezuela with the support of the Maduro government..." – Dan Brunner, [06:34]
• "They are committing crimes all throughout South America and now moving into the United States... They're pushing Venezuelan young girls to strongholds like Bozeman, Montana." – Dan Brunner, [07:11]
• "Bozeman is probably the epicenter for the TDA in Montana... they're probably not even seeing it." – Dan Brunner, [07:56]
• "If you can't say more than 'ho cha, serve,' you're not going to get anywhere with these communities." – Dan Brunner, [40:36]
• "Ms. 13 was very strict. You don't do something on behalf of the gang without getting approvals... that's how it moved." – Dan Brunner, [74:37]
• "We're going to make it through these next eight years. We will survive." – Dan Brunner, [116:03]

Listen to the full episode on Cleared Hot to delve deeper into Dan Brunner’s experiences and his strategic approaches to combating Tren de Aragua.