The Trump administration has instructed two intelligence agencies to focus satellites on monitoring the US-Mexico border after a key gang-related apprehension.
Authorities disclosed the arrest of a prominent MS-13 gang member, which spurred Trump to persist in his efforts against unlawful immigration and narcotics trafficking.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Reconnaissance Office, which manage spy satellites, are said to participate in Trump’s initiative, according to Reuters.
While the government has long used satellites to monitor the border, sources say these new satellites can use AI to find persons of interest.
The NGA told the outlet it created a special task force to “support the US border mission,” and the NRO said it is partnering with intelligence agencies “to secure US borders.”
The Department of Defense’s border engagement and Trump’s increased security on the US-Mexico border came as the president declared a national emergency in the area.
MS-13 ARREST
On Thursday, police arrested the 24-year-old suspect, who remains unnamed but is said to be one of the top three leaders of the El Salvadorian gang.
The MS-13 suspect was caught just outside of Washington D.C. in Woodbridge, Virginia.
“[Law enforcement] executed a clean, safe operation and the bad guys in custody. And thanks to the FBI, we got one of the worst of the worst of the MS-13 off the streets this morning. Virginia and the country is a lot safer today,” Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News.
“MS-13 is one of the most dangerous gangs in our country, and we are going to fight until they are completely dismantled,” Bondi said.
The FBI operation was executed with the help of the Prince William County Police Department, ATF, ICE, and the Virginia State Police.
President Donald Trump praised the arrest and celebrated everyone who made it happen.
“Just captured a major leader of MS13. Tom HOMAN is a superstar!” Trump wrote on social media.
FBI director Kash Patel said, “America should be watching” all that unfolded with the MS-13 arrest.
“This is what can happen when you put good cops in good places to take on bad guys,” Patel said.
“We are proud to be here standing with these brave warriors.”
The major MS-13 arrest is the latest in the Trump administration’s targeting of dangerous gangs and drug-trafficking rings.
The FBI announced last week that it successfully caught three of its top ten most wanted fugitives, Fox News reported.
Recent MS-13 arrests
Since the Trump administration took office, the FBI has arrested three of its top 10 fugitives including an alleged high ranking MS-13 member.
On March 18, the FBI arrested another alleged top-ranking MS-13 member, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales. The El Salvadorian, 47, is accused of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, narco-terrorism conspiracy, and alien smuggling conspiracy.
“FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Roman-Bardales has been extradited to the United States to be held accountable for the extreme and depraved violence and terror his leadership of MS-13 allegedly brought to the streets of the United States and across North America,” FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge for the New York Field Office Leslie Backschies said in a statement. “The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to eradicating MS-13 and all violent transnational criminal organizations wherever they operate as we protect our nation.”
Patel praised the Trump administration for giving the agency the tools it needs to pursue the country’s most dangerous criminals.
“That’s not an accident,” Patel wrote on X.
“This administration is giving the new FBI and AG Bondi the resources to get the job done — and we won’t stop.”
On March 18, the FBI arrested another alleged top-ranking MS-13 member, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales.
Roman-Bardales, 47, is accused of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists, narco-terrorism conspiracy, and alien smuggling conspiracy.
“FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Roman-Bardales has been extradited to the United States to be held accountable for the extreme and depraved violence and terror his leadership of MS-13 allegedly brought to the streets of the United States and across North America,” FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge for the New York Field Office Leslie Backschies said in a statement.
“The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to eradicating MS-13 and all violent transnational criminal organizations wherever they operate as we protect our nation.”
