Federal Raid Shuts Down San Antonio Nightclub, Nabs over 150 Suspected Illegal Immigrants and 27 Tren de Aragua Gang Members

San Antonio, Texas – November 23, 2025  Federal agents stormed a makeshift nightclub in San Antonio early Sunday morning, resulting in the arrest of more than 150 individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, including 27 alleged members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. The operation, hailed by officials as a major blow to transnational organized crime, also yielded a haul of cocaine, three firearms, and nearly $35,000 in cash.

The raid targeted an illicit after-hours venue operating out of a food trailer lot near the intersection of San Pedro Avenue and Basse Road, a spot authorities described as a known haunt for Tren de Aragua (TdA) operatives. Led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI's San Antonio field office, the joint task force included 14 state, local, and federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

"This operation involved 14 state, local, and federal agencies resulting in the arrest of more than 150 illegal aliens including 27 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members," the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in a statement Thursday. "Law enforcement also seized cocaine, three firearms, and approximately $35,000 in cash." Among those detained were nationals from Venezuela, Mexico, Honduras, and other South American countries, with several facing additional probes for human smuggling, money laundering, and cocaine trafficking.

Eyewitness video captured the chaos as agents in tactical gear descended on the site around 2 a.m. on November 16, flushing out startled patrons who scattered amid flashing lights and blaring sirens. "Thanks to the brave work of DHS law enforcement and our federal partners, 150 illegal aliens including 27 suspected Tren de Aragua gang members are off our streets," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. "Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, DHS is dismantling criminal gangs and stopping dangerous drugs from pouring into American neighborhoods."

The Tren de Aragua, a violent syndicate born in Venezuela's prison system, has been expanding its reach into the U.S., engaging in extortion, narcotics distribution, and human smuggling. Designated a foreign terrorist organization during the Trump administration, the gang's infiltration of Texas communities has prompted a series of aggressive federal responses. This San Antonio bust follows a similar FBI-led operation in Austin this past April, where over 40 suspects—including minors—were arrested at a residence tied to TdA gatherings, along with an unspecified quantity of illegal narcotics.

Local media, including News 4 San Antonio, gained exclusive access to the raided property post-operation, revealing a cluttered lot with food trucks, makeshift bars, and remnants of the clandestine party scene. "The same operation ended with more than 150 people in ICE custody, including what sources say were several gang members," the station reported, underscoring the venue's role as a hub for illicit activity.

Not all reactions have been celebratory. The raid has ignited backlash from immigrant rights advocates and drew a small but vocal protest Monday evening, organized by the San Antonio chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). Roughly 70 demonstrators gathered blocks from the site, waving signs decrying the action as "racist deportations" and accusing law enforcement of "kidnapping and detaining over 150 workers." The PSL flyer framed the detentions as an assault on families, calling for funds to be redirected from immigration enforcement to jobs and education.

Compounding the controversy, two Democratic Texas congressmen—Reps. Joaquin Castro and Lloyd Doggett—sent a letter to DHS demanding transparency on the operation, questioning the task force's tactics and the treatment of detainees. "We need answers on how this raid went down and what safeguards were in place," one source close to the lawmakers told Border Report. Federal officials have yet to respond publicly to the inquiry.

17GEN4.com