As a prison gang in Venezuela grew into a transnational criminal organization, investigators believe the gang’s leaders trusted Carlos “Bobby” Gomez to command the members who were causing havoc in South America’s western edge.

Venezuela’s vicious Tren De Aragua street gang — known for its brutality in dominating narcotrafficking and black markets — is operating in Miami-Dade County, according to federal and local law enforcement. A recent murder is evidence that the gang used women as a lure and was working out of hotels in Medley and near the Miami International Airport.