Within a twelve-hour period this past week, the FBI under Director Kash Patel has arrested two foreign terrorists.
One terrorist apprehended is Islamist Mohammed Al-Saadi, accused of plotting multiple attacks on Jewish synagogues in America and other terror operations overseas. The second arrest involves Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, a top-ranking Tren de Aragua gang member now facing federal terrorism charges in the United States.
Flores, also known as “Chuqui,” arrived in Houston, Texas Thursday evening after being extradited from Colombia following efforts by FBI Houston. He is recognized as the highest-ranking Tren de Aragua member ever brought to justice in the U.S. This marks the first time a Tren de Aragua affiliate has been charged with terrorism-related crimes and extradited to America under an executive order issued by President Trump last year, which designated the group as a foreign terrorist organization.
Flores faces charges of providing material support to the group and international drug distribution conspiracy.
Al-Saadi is currently facing federal terrorism charges in New York after allegedly orchestrating nearly 20 terror attacks across Europe and plotting assaults on Jewish institutions in the United States. According to FBI reports, Al-Saadi and associates coordinated these operations under the banner of Ashab al-Yamin, a pro-Iranian Islamist group.
FBI Director Patel stated: “This FBI’s execution conducting back-to-back Foreign Transfers of Custody of high-value terrorism targets is a reflection that under President Trump’s leadership, terrorists who target American citizens have no place to hide.”
Patel further emphasized: “This FTOC [Foreign Transfer of Custody] is a historic milestone representing the alleged highest-ranking official of Tren de Aragua ever brought to justice in the United States – and the first of its kind terrorism charge for a TdA member, after President Trump’s executive order last summer.”