Within a twelve-hour period this past week, FBI Director Kash Patel has overseen the arrest of two foreign terrorists.
The first individual apprehended is Islamist Mohammed Al-Saadi, who faces federal terrorism charges in New York for plotting multiple attacks on Jewish synagogues across America and other terror incidents overseas. The second terrorist detained is Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, also known as “Chuqui,” a top-ranking member of the Tren de Aragua gang.
Both men are being extradited to the United States to face federal charges. Flores arrived in Houston, Texas on Thursday evening following efforts by FBI Houston. He is described as the highest-ranking Tren de Aragua member ever brought to justice in the United States and marks the first time a Tren de Aragua operative has been charged with terrorism-related crimes and extradited to America.
Flores was charged with providing material support to the group and international drug distribution conspiracy. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that this operation, which followed an executive order from President Trump designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization last year, represents “a historic milestone” in bringing the alleged highest-ranking official of Tren de Aragua to justice.
“This FBI’s successful foreign transfer of custody (FTOC) of Mohammad Al-Saadi, another high-value target responsible for mass global terrorism, is just the latest success in this administration’s work to bring terrorists to justice,” Patel said in a statement. “This was a righteous mission executed brilliantly by our agents, investigators, CIRG tactical units, and interagency partners who delivered yet again.”
Patel also acknowledged the role of Ambassador Tom Barrack, who led the joint operation with international allies.
Mohammad Al-Saadi, an Iraqi national accused of orchestrating nearly 20 terrorist attacks across Europe and plotting assaults on Jewish institutions in the United States, was brought to New York after what the FBI described as a major international operation. According to federal authorities, since early March, Al-Saadi and his associates have allegedly coordinated 18 attacks in the name of Ashab al-Yamin, a pro-Iranian Islamist group that has claimed responsibility for violence against Jewish schools, synagogues, and charities in Europe, as well as American, Israeli, and Iranian opposition targets.
