Federal and local agencies in Tennessee are making progress cracking down on the violent Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. Eight people with gang ties have been indicted in a multi-state human trafficking ring.

According to court documents, women from Venezuela were lured to the U.S. with promises of a better life, only to be forced into prostitution.

An arrest in a multi-state sex trafficking ring determined a woman has ties to the transnational gang Tren de Aragua.One of eight defendants indicted on Tuesday appeared in federal court.Law enforcement said an elaborate sex trafficking ring targeted vulnerable women from South America.

Eight Venezuelan gang members have been indicted in connection with sex trafficking women from South America to Tennessee, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

We will not stand by and allow TdA or any criminal organization to get a stronghold in Tennessee,” one official vowed. “They are not going to be here.”