A Cook County judge has detained two migrants following a federal investigation into the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua’s (TdA) gunrunning and drug trafficking in Chicago.
According to a detention petition, Illinois Assistant Attorney General Thomas Darman stated that the case, which is being handled by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, began in May when investigators thought the gang was moving narcotics and firearms into the city.
As part of the operation, an ATF informant arranged for the purchase of “Tusi,” a street drug made by mixing methamphetamine with cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, and fentanyl, according to Darman.
According to Darman, the informant and an undercover ATF agent met two men and a woman in the McDonald’s parking lot at 6515 South Western Avenue on May 14. The trio allegedly sold the informant and agent roughly 48 grams of Tusi, as well as three loaded firearms: a 9mm pistol, a .45-caliber pistol, and a a.40-caliber pistol. A Drug Enforcement Administration test eventually discovered that the Tusi contained both ketamine and MDMA.
Investigators identified the individuals as Alvaro Berrios Godoy, 26, and Oscar Puerta Gorrin, 23, who were indicted on July 29 by a Cook County grand jury. Officials only knew her as “Nicole.”
Darman claims Gorrin and “Nicole” went to McDonald’s last Thursday and sold another 50 grams of Tusi to ATF agents. They were promptly arrested. Lilibeth Diaz Pirela, 27 years old, was later recognized by investigators as “Nicole.” According to police documents, Godoy was detained separately two hours before the McDonald’s rendezvous.
According to police, the first Tusi delivery cost more than $15,243, while the second cost more than $16,500. According to court documents, the group sold the pills to investigators for a fraction of the street worth.
Darman stated that Godoy and Gorrin are Venezuelan citizens rather than lawful residents of the United States. Diaz’s residency status was not immediately available.
Godoy has been charged with gunrunning, armed violence, methamphetamine manufacture-delivery, unlawful firearm sale, and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number. Gorrin and Pirela have been charged with methamphetamine manufacturing and delivery.
Judge Deidre Dyer granted detention applications for all three defendants, citing public safety concerns and flight risks.
