Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio announced that Pirela, 28, was arrested in New Braunfels, northeast of San Antonio. He was wanted for at least four murders and at one point was one of the most wanted men in Colombia and by Interpol. Colombia also has warrants out for his arrest for extortion and drug trafficking. HSI San Antonio released him to Border Patrol's custody to be processed federally. (Related: Texas National Guard member ARRESTED for smuggling illegal alien in government vehicle.)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement alleges that Pirela first entered the U.S. unlawfully on Jan. 2 near Eagle Pass. Border Patrol initially arrested him near El Paso and issued him with a notice to appear in court at a later date. He was released on Jan. 5 with an order of recognizance.
Gen. Jose Daniel Gualdron, commander of the Bogota Metropolitan Police on Colombia, said his country and the U.S. had been monitoring Pirela's movement north for months, using the migrant convoys of thousands upon thousands of people as cover. Once he arrived in Mexico, he began seeking political asylum in the United States.
Pirela's case serves as a stark example of how criminals can exploit these open border policies to evade justice and potentially pose a threat to American communities. Pirela's criminal journey began when he migrated from Venezuela to Colombia in June 2023. He quickly ascended the ranks of Los Satanas after the arrest of their leader, Jose Vera, in Ecuador the previous November.
Despite various raids resulting in the arrest of 18 gang members in December, Pirela and nine others managed to evade capture and flee the country.
Nearly two months after he first arrived in the U.S., authorities reported on Feb. 27 that Pirela still had control over Los Satanas' criminal activities in Colombia. An investigation even found that Pirela and his associates were operating from a shelter somewhere in Texas and were sending orders to gang members back in Bogota.
Critics argue that the open borders policies of the administration of President Joe Biden are facilitating the entry of dangerous criminals like Pirela into the United States.
The lack of stringent border controls and enforcement measures is seen as a significant vulnerability that can be exploited by transnational criminal organizations and individuals with malicious intent.
Former Department of Homeland Security agent Ari Jimenez emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive border security reforms to address the threat of other major gang leaders like Pirela trying to make their way into the United States. Jimenez emphasized the gravity of Pirela's criminal activities, including allegations of homicide, drug trafficking and extortion and the death of a seven-year-old boy.
Pirela's case has raised questions about the effectiveness of current border control measures and screening processes. Critics point to this incident as evidence that there may be vulnerabilities in the system that could allow individuals with criminal backgrounds to enter the United States.
Learn more about the migrant crisis at Migrants.news.
Watch this video discussing the need for more control over the southern border to prevent disasters.
This video is from the channel The New American on Brighteon.com.
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