A high-ranking leader of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua was arrested in Los Angeles this week, facing extradition to Chile on seven charges, including kidnapping that resulted in murder—a case highlighting ongoing concerns about criminal illegal aliens operating on American soil.
Senior Gang Figure Captured in California
Rafael Enrique Gamez Salas, 40, known by the alias ‘El Turko,’ was taken into custody Wednesday by the United States Marshal Service in Los Angeles. The Department of Justice announced Friday that Salas allegedly leads ‘Los Piratas,’ the Chilean branch of Tren de Aragua, one of Venezuela’s most dangerous criminal enterprises. Chilean authorities secured his arrest through an extradition warrant while he served a federal sentence in San Bernardino County for human smuggling.
Alleged Tren de Aragua leader ‘El Turko’ arrested in LA on murder and kidnapping charges
The alleged leader of a deadly Venezuelan criminal organization known as “El Turko” was taken off the streets in Los Angeles, at the behest of the Chilean government.
Rafael Enrique Gamez… pic.twitter.com/JFm9znpf8W
— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) March 14, 2026
The charges against Salas span multiple violent crimes across Chile. He faces one count of criminal association, two counts of extortion, two counts of unjustified firearm discharge, one count of kidnapping resulting in homicide, and one count of kidnapping for extortion. Chilean prosecutors allege he directed the February 2024 kidnapping and murder of a Venezuelan military lieutenant in Santiago. Members of Los Piratas allegedly impersonated Chilean police officers, forcibly removing the victim from his apartment. His body was discovered a week later, buried in concrete and covered with lime.
Pattern of Illegal Reentry and Criminal Activity
Salas was previously deported to Venezuela in 2023 after entering the United States illegally, but he subsequently reentered the country unlawfully. He was arrested and prosecuted by the Val Verde County District Attorney’s Office in Texas for human smuggling, receiving an indictment in February 2025. After pleading guilty in April 2025, he began serving his federal sentence in Central California where authorities arrested him on the Chilean extradition warrant.
Officials Condemn Illegal Alien Criminal Activity
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized that America must never become a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens who are senior members of foreign terrorist organizations. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche criticized the previous administration, stating this man posed a clear public safety threat and should never have been in the country but reentered illegally under the Biden Administration. Salas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles F. Eick in Los Angeles on Wednesday before being returned to federal custody pending extradition proceedings. Chilean authorities also link him to an April 2024 confrontation that led to the killing of a Chilean police officer, plus additional kidnappings in February and June 2024.