DENVER | An investigation that began with a spike in violent crime just outside of Aurora, evolved into a months-long local and federal investigation into allegations that the notorious Tren de Aragua gang was leading a crime ring deep into firearms trafficking, narcotics dealing and human smuggling.

Arapahoe County sheriff officials, federal agents and prosecutors said at a press conference Monday that they infiltrated a ring of Venezuelan gangsters and immigrants, netting the arrest of 30 people, and claimed that Colorado is the main U.S. hub for the gang.

“This is not just an important case for Colorado, this is an important case for the whole country,” said Jeremy Franker, deputy director of the Joint Task Force Vulcan for the Department of Justice.

Federal officials said Aurora an

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