(NewsNation) — An Iranian man told the Border Patrol he paid $25,000 to a Venezuelan gang with potential ties to terrorist group Hezbollah to get him into the United States.
The man told border agents he traveled from Dubai to Brazil before eventually making his way across the border in Maverick County, Texas.
He was part of a group of nearly 300 apprehended at the border last week, a group authorities say included seven people from Iran, which is designated a “special interest” country.
Former Homeland Security agent Victor Avila said that’s concerning considering alleged ties between the militant group Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran, and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has been making its presence more known in the U.S.
“It’s not a gang, they’re a cartel, they’re highly organized, they have strong ties to Hezbollah, Iran,” Avila said. “Venezuela and Maduro, they work directly for Maduro, and these guys are highly financed. They have the ability.”
Sources also say Hezbollah is renting routes from Mexican cartels in order to move freely.
Avila confirmed that movement is a big part of these criminal organizations, saying movement requires proper connections and funds in order to complete the journey to the U.S.
Tren de Aragua is present in at least 22 states, according to reports, and it is spreading to Virginia, North Carolina, Montana and Wyoming.
