Who is MS 13? Top MS-13 leader arrested in Virginia

U.S. authorities have successfully captured one of MS-13’s top leaders in the United States, the FBI announced on Thursday.

The 24-year-old suspect, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was arrested in Woodbridge, Virginia, just south of Washington, D.C. Officials confirmed that he is one of the three highest-ranking MS-13 leaders operating in the U.S.

High-Stakes Operation Led by Top Officials

The arrest was carried out by a joint law enforcement task force, including the FBI, Prince William County Police Department, ATF, ICE, and the Virginia State Police.

Key officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and senior DOJ official Emil Bove, monitored the operation from a nearby tactical operations center.

Following the successful mission, Bondi praised law enforcement efforts.

“They executed a clean, safe operation, and the bad guy is in custody. Thanks to the FBI, we got one of the worst of the worst of MS-13 off the streets this morning. Virginia and the country are a lot safer today,” she told Fox News.

High-Level Praise for Law Enforcement

Former President Donald Trump also acknowledged the operation, commending Tom Homan, the former acting director of ICE, for his role in tackling gang-related crime.

“Just captured a major leader of MS-13. Tom Homan is a superstar!” Trump wrote on social media.

FBI Director Kash Patel also applauded the officers involved, stating:

“This is what happens when you put good cops in good places to take on bad guys. America should be watching this, and we are proud to stand with these brave warriors.”

A Major Win in the Fight Against Gangs

Thursday’s operation is part of a broader crackdown on gang violence and drug trafficking in the U.S. In the past two months alone, the FBI has arrested three individuals from its Top 10 Most Wanted list.

The capture of this high-ranking MS-13 leader marks a significant victory in the fight against organized crime, making American communities safer.