OSBURN — A traffic stop earlier this month led to the arrest of two Venezuelan nationals and the seizure of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise believed to be stolen, authorities said. 

Juan A. Lugo Moreno, 20, and Leonardo A. Rivero Blanco, 25, were taken into custody on March 9 after deputies with the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office stopped their vehicle near mile marker 58 on Interstate 90 for a traffic violation, according to Interim Sheriff Travis Skinner. 

Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle and found a large quantity of merchandise inside that investigators believe had been stolen. The estimated value of the items exceeds $11,000, Skinner said. 

Both men have been charged with felony grand theft, along with additional related charges. 

Initial reports claimed one of the arrested individuals was a suspected member of Tren de Aragua. 

Tren de Aragua is a Venezuela-based criminal organization that originated in the country’s prison system. Authorities have linked the group to organized retail theft, human trafficking and other criminal activity across multiple countries, and U.S. law enforcement has identified it as an emerging transnational threat operating beyond South America. 

U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to the scene during the investigation and took custody of the two individuals for further evaluation, Skinner said. 

The case remains under investigation, and the Sheriff’s Office is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to determine the origin of the merchandise and whether additional crimes may be connected. 

“The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting local businesses and addressing organized retail theft activity impacting our communities,” Skinner said. 

The Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization in early 2025, expanding federal authorities’ ability to pursue criminal prosecutions, immigration enforcement and financial sanctions against the group and its leadership. 

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 556-1114.