Two men connected to a violent apartment invasion in Aurora, Colorado, were arrested in a major bust targeting a drug trafficking and credit card fraud operation in New York City.

The arrests, made during a coordinated early-morning raid in the Bronx, were part of a crackdown led by the NYPD and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.

The suspects, Denyeer Aramillo Meneses, 23, and Edison Pena Angulo, 25, were taken into custody along with 13 other alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious Venezuelan criminal organization known for violent crimes and drug trafficking.

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The arrests came after a months-long investigation into the gang’s criminal activities, which spanned from the Bronx to lower Manhattan.

Law enforcement sources said the investigation uncovered a drug distribution network, involving substances such as heroin, synthetic marijuana, and Tussi, a dangerous synthetic drug.

In addition to the drugs, the gang was involved in credit card fraud, and an arsenal of weapons, including three assault rifles, two pistols, and several ammunition cans, were seized during the raid.

The investigation also linked Meneses and Angulo to a high-profile burglary that occurred in Aurora, Colorado, in August.

Video footage from the incident, which was widely circulated, showed a group of armed men storming an apartment complex in the Edge at Lowry Complex.

The group was caught on camera moments before a fatal shooting took place, where 25-year-old Oswaldo Jose Dabion Araujo was killed.

Authorities identified Meneses and Angulo as two of the men involved in the burglary, which left residents in fear.

According to the Aurora Police Department, five of the men carried handguns, and one brought a rifle as they knocked on two apartment doors, forced their way inside, and threatened the residents.

Local authorities issued warrants for Meneses and Angulo on October 1, but they were able to flee to New York City before being captured during the raid.

The pair, along with the other arrested gang members, are facing charges related to drug trafficking, illegal firearms possession, and their involvement in violent crimes.

The discovery of Tren de Aragua’s activities in Aurora highlights the increasing presence of Venezuelan criminal gangs in the area, particularly in regions like Aurora, a city of around 390,000 located just east of Denver.

Residents have reported a surge in crime and an influx of gang members, forcing some to move due to safety concerns.

According to an apartment investor in Aurora, the gang took over vacant units and began to exert control over the complex.

This created a “bad element” that made the area dangerous for others living there.

In an interview with local media, one resident, Cindy Romero, shared her fears as she and her husband moved out of their apartment. “Every day when we come home, we have to do this every time we go outside to take out the garbage,” Romero said. “Every time we go to bed at night. We have to keep like this so that nobody can kick in the door.”

The police operation and subsequent arrests highlight the ongoing threat posed by Tren de Aragua and similar criminal organizations across the United States.

Law enforcement has intensified efforts to target these gangs, which have been linked to various illegal activities, including human trafficking, drug distribution, and violent crime.

As investigations continue, authorities remain focused on dismantling the network and ensuring public safety.

At this time, the charges against the arrested gang members, including Meneses and Angulo, remain sealed as federal authorities continue to build their case.