Mexican Authorities Arrest Tren de Aragua Financial and Operational Leaders in Major Anti-Trafficking Operation

In Mexico City, personnel from the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR), and the National Guard (GN) raided two homes in the Valle Gómez neighborhood of the Venustiano Carranza municipality, where they arrested 40-year-old Lesli Valeri Flores Arrieta, alias “Lesli,” who was in charge of collecting payments from members of the criminal group “Tren Aragua” derived from prostitution. She also acted as a negotiator between the “Tren de Aragua” group and “La Unión Tepito,” and was involved in drug sales and collecting protection money from women who were victims of sexual exploitation.

Doses of methamphetamine and marijuana were seized, as well as a notebook with a list of names linked to the collection of protection money from sex workers in the Sullivan and Revolución areas of the city.

In another raid, Jorge Donovan Romero Flores, Giancarlo Romero Flores, Valeria Pineda Arredondo, and Diana Paola Ortega Pérez, Lesli Valeri Flores’ main collaborators and relatives, were arrested. Their main role was the distribution of narcotics, extortion, and protection rackets against victims in various municipalities of Mexico City. During the operation, a firearm, cell phones, and narcotics were seized.

In another operation in the Iztapalapa municipality, an arrest warrant was executed against Bryan Betancourt Olivera, 33, for the crimes of aggravated human trafficking and organized crime.

The subject is a financial operator for the “Tren de Aragua” criminal organization. He provided his bank accounts for receiving and transferring financial resources derived from illicit activities, with the purpose of concealing the origin and destination of the funds. In addition, he facilitated and provided residences for the sheltering and housing of members of the criminal group, as well as for women of Venezuelan origin.

Related: The Mexican Government’s Security Cabinet reports on the results of ‘Operation Northern Border’ for January 9, 10, and 11, 2026.