Prince William County, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Federal authorities announced Thursday that the alleged leader of the violent MS-13 street gang was arrested in Northern Virginia.
Officials said the 24-year-old man from El Salvador was arrested early Thursday morning in the Dale City area in Woodbridge. Attorney General Pamela Bondi described the arrest as a major victory in the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on a gang known for brutal violence.
“They [MS-13 gang] are one of the most dangerous gangs in our country, and we are going to fight until they are completely dismantled in Virginia,” added Bondi.
The Justice Department did not immediately release the name of the man, but officials said he was a Salvadoran national with unlawful status in the U.S.
At a press conference, Gov. Glenn Youngkin applauded the collaboration of federal, state and local authorities.
"What this task force over the course of the last four weeks represents is the model ... of federal resources, state lead resources and local resources coming together in order to eradicate the drug and terrorist networks that exist. And I use the word 'terrorist' because the illegal drug gangs, MS-13, Tren de Aragua, they are international terrorist organizations," Youngkin said.
MS-13 engages in drug trafficking, smuggling, kidnapping, extortion and prostitution. Officials said they will seek the man's deportation to El Salvador.
