BREAKING: Two individuals have been formally charged following a significant federal raid on the North Side of San Antonio, Texas. Marcos Contreras-Max and Edwin Javier Chinchilla-Lopez, both from Honduras, were apprehended by ICE agents during the operation on November 16, 2025. They face charges of illegal re-entry into the United States as authorities continue to investigate the implications of the raid.
The operation was part of a coordinated effort by the newly formed Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF-South Texas), aimed at dismantling the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. While officials indicated that the raid targeted the gang’s activities, court documents do not establish any direct connections between Contreras-Max, Chinchilla-Lopez, and the criminal organization.
More than 140 immigrants were detained during this multi-agency operation, which took place near Basse Road and San Pedro Avenue. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations confirmed the arrests in a news release issued on November 17, 2025. The task force’s mission includes targeting sophisticated cartels and transnational gangs involved in serious crimes such as human trafficking and drug smuggling.
Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the operation’s significance, linking it to a broader effort against human trafficking connected to Tren de Aragua. In a post on X, he stated, “About 200 illegal immigrants were apprehended. More of this to come,” highlighting the urgency and scale of the operation.
As of now, details regarding the other detainees remain scarce, and the specific charges they may face are still unknown. Local and national authorities are under pressure to provide clarity as community members express concern over the implications of such large-scale arrests.
In the wake of these developments, protests erupted as advocates rallied against the detention of over 140 immigrants. Demonstrators have voiced concerns about the treatment of those apprehended, calling for transparency and accountability in the federal operation.
Officials have stated that the success of this operation was made possible through collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which played a crucial role in securing the search warrant executed during the raid.
As this story unfolds, authorities are expected to release more information regarding the arrested individuals and their potential links to organized crime. The public and media are urged to stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation impacting the San Antonio community.
