Major Arrests and Seizures in Tarrant County
Authorities in Tarrant County on Wednesday announced over 70 arrests and the seizure of hundreds of illegal firearms and drugs in a two-month collaborative operation.
The arrests include eight Venezuelan nationals, officials said, three of whom are alleged members of Tren de Aragua. The gang is a South American prison gang and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Texas officials.
Operation Details
Nancy Larson, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, told reporters at a press conference that 76 individuals were arrested in the operation, 56 of whom have been charged with federal drug and gun crimes. About 20 are facing charges at the state level in Tarrant County, Larson said.
“The removal of 76 gun and drug traffickers from the streets will have a lasting impact on this city,” Larson said. “They are no longer out there peddling their guns and their drugs, which would have led to more and more crime.”
Seized Items
Heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine totaling roughly 22 kilograms, along with illegal firearms equipped with machine gun conversion devices, were also recovered during the operation, officials said.
Nicknamed “Operation Showdown,” the effort was a collaboration between federal and local police agencies in North Texas, including the Tarrant County sheriff and district attorney offices, the Fort Worth Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Attorney’s office. The two-month-long operation focused on “hot spots” throughout Fort Worth that had high levels of violent crime, Larson said.
Undercover Operations
During the operation, police conducted undercover firearms and drug purchases. Bennie Mims, special agent in charge of the ATF’s Dallas field office, said 287 firearms were seized during the operation. Over 20 of the seized weapons had previously been reported as stolen, and over 140 of the weapons were equipped with illegal machine gun conversion devices, Mims said.
Machine gun conversion devices, also known as “switches,” are 3D-printed parts that can be attached to semi-automatic firearms to convert them into fully automatic machine guns. The devices are commonly seen on Glock handguns, but also can be made for rifles, officials said. Under federal law, the device itself is classified as an illegal machine gun, authorities said.
Firearms and illicit drugs, which were seized during a 60-day, collaborative violent crime reduction operation in Fort Worth, are seen during a news conference at Plaza Building in Fort Worth, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to announce the results the operation in Fort Worth. (Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer)
Impact on the Community
Eduardo Chavez, special agent in charge of the DEA’s Dallas office, said the seized fentanyl was enough to amount to 240,000 fatal doses. He also said authorities found people allegedly selling drugs were also selling firearms, representing a deadly intersection for drug and gun trafficking.
“Part of the versatility and the ability of our agents to do our jobs effectively is to make sure neighborhoods are safe and children can play in that neighborhood playground or splash pad,” Chavez said. “With the amount of contraband seized here, it’s very apparent that there are some neighborhoods where parents can freely let their kids maybe have an afternoon play date out in that front yard or in that apartment complex parking lot or community area without fear that a drug transaction is transpiring just a few parking stalls away.”
Next Steps
Among those arrested were also people with previous convictions for violent felonies such as aggravated assault and robbery, Larson said. Each defendant has made their initial court appearance, Larson said, and authorities are anticipating trials in late summer or early fall.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been involved in cases with individuals who are alleged to be in the country illegally, Larson said. She said if convicted, they will be turned over to ICE for deportation at the conclusion of their sentences.
Conclusion
The operation in Tarrant County is a significant step towards reducing violent crime and making communities safer. The collaboration between federal and local agencies has led to the arrest of 76 individuals and the seizure of hundreds of illegal firearms and drugs. The impact of this operation will be felt for a long time, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of law enforcement agencies working together to combat crime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the name of the operation?
A: The operation was nicknamed “Operation Showdown.”
Q: How many people were arrested in the operation?
A: 76 individuals were arrested in the operation.
Q: What was seized during the operation?
A: Hundreds of illegal firearms and drugs, including heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, were seized during the operation.
Q: What is a machine gun conversion device?
A: A machine gun conversion device, also known as a “switch,” is a 3D-printed part that can be attached to semi-automatic firearms to convert them into fully automatic machine guns.
Q: What will happen to the individuals who were arrested and are in the country illegally?
A: If convicted, they will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation at the conclusion of their sentences.
