New video shows moments leading up to an FBI raid. One San Antonio owner—closed during the operation—says her business is now suffering from guilt by association.
SAN ANTONIO — Federal authorities say 27 alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were among more than 150 people detained during a massive multi-agency raid early Sunday morning near San Pedro Avenue and Basse Road. New video obtained by KENS 5 shows people hiding inside food trucks and customers being detained as agents surrounded an event space behind the trucks.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the sweep involved 14 state, local and federal agencies, including DHS, ICE and the FBI. Agents seized cocaine, three firearms and about $35,000 in cash.
DHS said the club targeted in the operation was “known to be frequented” by members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based gang that has been a focus of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement.
While the federal operation focused on the event space, the owner of a food truck parked in the same lot says they were swept into the chaos.
New surveillance video shows people running from the raid and climbing into the food trucks parked directly in front of the event building. Customers sitting at picnic tables were also taken into custody, witnesses told KENS 5.
Genesis Valadez, owner of Las Pollitas Snack y Tacos, said her trailer was closed at the time but her cameras captured everything.
“We close at 2 a.m., and the raid happened around 3 a.m.,” she said. “It was scary because through the cameras we could see everything… them going into our trailer and those around us.”
Employees said they noticed drones flying over the lot in the days leading up to the operation, suggesting law enforcement surveillance had already been underway.
Valadez said officers broke her food truck’s door handle, and three hours after the raid began, an agent is seen using a table umbrella to break her security camera.
“They brought in a dog to check the trailer. Through the cameras, we could see our door was left open,” she said.
The owners of the only trailer still open that night — along with their customers — were detained.
“They were hard workers. They were business owners trying to make a living,” Valadez said. “Their customers who were just there eating… they were all taken away too.”
Valadez said her business was forced to temporarily close. After news of the raid spread, she said customers mistakenly began associating Las Pollitas with the operation.
“We wanted to show that video so people will see we are totally unaffiliated. We were closed. The people were in the building behind us — not our trailer,” she said. “I go inside and I work in my space. What happens outside around me… I can’t control that.”
All three food trucks have since moved out of the location. Valadez says she lost days of income but plans to reopen Friday at 711 Hildebrand.
While DHS praised the raid as a gang crackdown, two San Antonio-area congressmen say key details remain unclear.
Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Greg Casar (TX-35) sent a letter this week to DHS, DOJ, ICE and the FBI demanding transparency about the raid and the status of detainees. They say more than 140 people were arrested, but federal agencies have provided no information on their whereabouts.
They also raised concerns about due process, citing recent reports of federal agents overstepping their legal authority.
The lawmakers are seeking answers by Nov. 24, including:
- What evidence was used to obtain a warrant?
- Which agencies participated?
- Where are detainees being held?
- What crimes — if any — are they accused of?
- How many were “collateral” arrests?
- How many detained individuals have prior criminal histories?
- Were any minors taken into custody?
FBI and HSI officials said those detained are from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico and other South American countries and have been placed in ICE custody.