(The Center Square) – A multiagency law enforcement operation, Operation Salvo, was launched in New York after an off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was shot in New York City last year by Trinitarios gang members.
So far, 54 people have been arrested in New York through Operation Salvo; more than 60% have been deported, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The violent gang was founded by Dominicans in New York City in 1993 but has since expanded throughout New York and Massachusetts, federal and state officials have found. Trinitarios gang members are involved in weapons trafficking, human smuggling, narcotics distribution, armed robberies, and violent attacks, DHS says.
“Operation Salvo is just the beginning of a broader and a much more sustained effort to go after not only transnational criminal organizations and networks, but also illegal criminal aliens throughout the country,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. “We are warning anyone if you think you can harm an individual, a citizen of the United States, or a law enforcement officer, we will find you and bring you to justice. If you lay a finger on one of our officers, we will catch you. We will prosecute you and you will feel the full extent of the law.”
In July, two Dominican nationals were arrested and charged with attempted robbery and attempted murder of a CBP officer in New York City after shooting the officer in the face and right forearm, The Center Square reported. He survived.
His attackers were Trinitarios gang members in the country illegally who had extensive criminal records, authorities found.
Miguel Mora Nunez has been charged in the shooting. He had prior charges for assault, contempt and robbery, DHS said. His current charges include attempted murder, assault, attempted robbery, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawful transport of firearms, DHS said.
Cristhian Aybar Berroa has been charged as an accomplice with robbery, assault, attempted robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawful transport of firearms, DHS said. He has prior charges for reckless endangerment, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, reckless driving, and driving without a license, DHS said.
CBP New York officers named the operation “Operation Salvo” because the CBP officer survived and because they wanted “to unleash a ‘salvo of justice’ upon those who seek to harm our community,” DHS said.
Operation Salvo involves federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including CBP, HSI, ICE, the NYPD and prosecutors from the Southern District of New York and New York County District Attorney’s Office.
DHS highlighted the extensive criminal history of just four Dominican Trinitarios gang members arrested: “assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, robbery with physical injury displaying firearm, forcible theft armed with a deadly weapon, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, criminal use of a firearm, menacing with weapon;” “act in manner to injure a child less than 17, assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance;” “felony grand larceny, felony assault, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, menacing, and harassment;” “robbery, robbery cause physical injury, grand larceny and criminal sale of a controlled substance;” and “criminal possession of a weapon, assault with intent to cause physical injury, and harassment,” among many others.
Operation Salvo was launched in New York after a multi-agency operation led to several dozen Trinitarios members being federally charged in Massachusetts last February connected to six murders and 11 attempted murders. Two individuals were charged with murder by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
The charges stemmed from a multijurisdictional investigation that began after a series of murders and shootings occurred in Lynn, Mass., in 2023. They were committed, DHS alleges, by Trinitarios members operating in Lawrence, Lynn, Boston and Haverhill, The Center Square reported.
Trinitarios have committed at least 10 homicides in Essex County and are believed to be responsible for numerous attempted murders, shootings, kidnappings and robberies. Sixteen members were charged with six murders; two occurred in Lawrence in 2017, two double murders occurred in Lynn in 2023, The Center Square reported.
“For well over a decade, Trinitarios gang members have engaged in brazen acts of murder, assault, and drug distribution – instilling fear in the communities of Lynn and Lawrence in particular,” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said. The multi-agency operation “struck a significant blow against the leadership of the Trinitarios operating in Massachusetts – virtually dismantling an organization responsible for years of bloodshed, drug trafficking, and lawlessness” and “ends the Trinitarios reign of terror in Massachusetts. Today, our communities are safer with the removal of these alleged violent offenders from our streets, and where appropriate, from our country.”
Investigations and arrests are ongoing, authorities say.