FBI Director Patel announces capture of most-wanted fugitive in Venezuela

The US has confirmed the capture in Venezuela of Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, known as "El Ingeniero" and "Prometeo," who was among the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives.

"Just this past weekend, we captured a thug down in Venezuela who was on our most wanted list and on the run for years," FBI Director Kash Patel said during a US Senate hearing on Monday.

"He has been captured, apprehended, and is on his way back to the United States of America. That's ten of ten," Patel said.

During the hearing, Patel also reported that the FBI had made 54,000 arrests of violent criminals, 31,000 gang-member arrests and 5,072 arrests involving child predators and human traffickers.

He also said the bureau had located 11,081 children and made 4,260 arrests related to foreign terrorist organisations.

He defended his record on reducing crime during the hearing, and Republican senators praised the drop in US crime.

Jackpotting, fraud and robbery

Canelon was accused of leading an international conspiracy that allegedly deployed crews in the US to steal millions of dollars from financial institutions in support of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

According to the FBI, the network used a technique known as ATM jackpotting, in which malware or other methods force automated teller machines to dispense cash without authorisation.

Canelon was also wanted on charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, and intentionally damaging a protected computer system.

The FBI had offered a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his arrest.

US authorities have not provided further details on the circumstances of Canelon's capture or the Venezuelan authorities involved in the operation.

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Source: TRT