Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel speaks during a press conference in New York City on Dec. 10, 2025. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters)
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said at the news conference that while crime in New York has dropped overall, it remains "way above where it should be," especially in vulnerable communities. He credited law enforcement personnel for the lowered crime rate. The U.S. attorney went on to detail law enforcement agencies' achievements over the last year. This included investigations and charges related to "murders, shootings, stabbings, sex trafficking and narcotics distribution by Tren de Aragua and many other brutally violent gangs." Clayton also said that over a dozen narco-terrorists and members of state-sponsored drug cartels had been charged.
The U.S. attorney highlighted a recent narcotics sweep in and around New York City's Washington Square Park, which led to the arrest of 18 defendants. Clayton said the operation "exemplifies what we can do with a whole-of-law-enforcement approach to public safety."
FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Christopher Raia said the HSTF New York was formed to combat growing threats posed by transnational criminal enterprises and foreign terrorist organizations.
FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia speaks during a press conference in New York City on Dec. 10, 2025. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters)
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York issued a statement on the formation of the task force, saying the new unit's primary focus would be investigating transnational criminal organizations designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Additionally, the U.S. Attorney's Office underscored the task force's unique approach in allowing "state, local, and federal law enforcement to extend our reach, share intelligence in real time, and target these threats at every level."
So far, HSTFs nationwide have resulted in the arrests of more than 3,200 foreign terrorists, narco-traffickers and gang members, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/homeland-security-announces-first-of-its-kind-task-force-aimed-fighting-transnational-organized-crime