By Jon Michael Raasch, political reporter in Woodbridge, Virginia for DailyMail.com
It was sunny and sixty degrees in the leafy DC -Buitwijk of Woodbridge on Thursday afternoon.
Local residents were on their way and continue their groceries and daily affairs.
Almost someone in the neighborhood seemed to know that a dangerous drug lord had just been dethroned from their houses in North Virginia.
But according to the FBI, a TOP MS-13 Kartell leader, Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, who originally came from El Salvador, had the luxury neighborhood infiltrated, just a 30-minute drive from the White House.
Agents arrested Santos in Dale City in the early hours on Thursday morning, with FBI director Kash Patel and attorney General Pam Bondi who both attend the Takedown.
The cartel leader was located from North Virginia and is said to have been in charge over the entire east coast operation of the gang.
But for some residents, the news from the bust was not a complete surprise.
“I know they got MS-13s here, but didn't know the leader was here,” a man told the Daily Mail while chatting in a parking lot of the supermarket. “That's ridiculous.”
Lester, a Woodbridge, Virginia, inhabitant, said that the signs of local cartel infiltration were clear because the cartel had clearly marked its territory.
“They are going to paint people cars and so on, they put them MS-13 on cars and human houses,” he revealed, adding that he was happy that the federal authorities arrived.
Woodbridge and Dale City residents Gwendolyn and Lester suspected that there was gang activity in the area, but were surprised to hear that a leader of the notorious MS-13 gang was caught in their backyard
'I am proud to announce that our brave law enforcement officers performed a successful operation early this morning that has recorded a top 13 national leader. Doj will not rest if we make America safe again, 'Bondi posted on X next to this photo of the operation
Inmates remain in a cell at the counter-terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) mega-prison, where hundreds of members of the ms-13 and 18 street gangs are Being Held, in Tecoluca, El Salvador on January 27, 2025. Street Gang to a Multi-National Criminal Organization
“I am not surprised at all by something that happens in this area,” added Gwendolyn, a retired employee of immigration enforcement. “This is par for the course.”
She suspected that the cartel leader had chosen the various area so that he could 'melt' the area.
Yet she found the news 'very, very frightening'.
“Because, you know, that a lot of crime yields, many suspicious people come in,” she said about the suspected drug fool who lived in the area.
Another resident, Willard, told The Daily Mail: 'I am completely surprised to hear that. You know, Woodbridge is a bit of an unobtrusive area. '
“I am absolutely surprised to hear that,” he added. “I was aware that there was gang activity, but nothing for that scale.”
George, who works in the area, said, “They, as I just said, go back to their country. We don't need criminals like this. '
“I'm glad Trump is doing something about it,” he added.
The MS-13 Bende originally started in Los Angeles in 1980. But in the course of the decades it has evolved and went from a street gang to a multinational organization for human trafficking.
Bondi, Patel and Youngkin celebrated the arrest at the press conference Thursday morning
Bondi, Patel and Youngkin Huddle at the press conference
The MS-13 member was arrested for accusations of weapons, his arsenal is shown above
The authorities said Santos was one of the top three leaders of the gang in the US, and his arrest is a big victory for the DOJ and FBI.
“America is safer today because one of the best domestic terrorists in MS-13 is off the street,” Bondi celebrated Thursday morning after the raid at a press conference.
She called the gang leader “the worst of the worst.”
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin noted at the press conference on how a Task Force was set up last month to tackle cartel operations in the US after Patel was confirmed by the Senate.
“I cannot emphasize the cooperation and support and leadership of the new administration that is so different … than the previous three years,” said the Republican governor.
Betsy, who has been living in the area for the past two years, also celebrated the arrest.
“I am happy that that person is off the street,” she told Daily Mail, and added that she was very concerned that a narco leader had set up in her city.
A local business operator, who asked not to be identified, shared that he has seen an increase in cartel activity.
Both Willard and Betsy were shocked to discover that the cartel was so strong in their neighborhood
A residential complex in North Virginia. Residents call it a 'unobtrusive' and diverse area
A golden gun -Sillencer was found at the house of the Narco leader
This businessman said he saw Fentanyl in the area prolifarely and noticed how the deadly opioid flows from the local cartel operators.
“Some parts of Woodbridge are really rough,” he admitted. He claimed that he had also seen cartel activity, but could not say whether it was MS-13 or not.
The Doj revealed that Santos was arrested for accusations of weapons and shared images of his arsenal, including various firearms and a golden silencer.
He had four weapons that were found at his house, according to the Doj.
