The U.S. is set to launch a new Homeland Security Task Force in Nashville, aimed at tackling drug trafficking, violent crime, weapons violations, and other illegal activities in Middle Tennessee. The announcement, made by federal and local leaders, comes on the heels of successful operations dismantling criminal networks in the region.
What We Know
The U.S. Department of Justice, in collaboration with local and federal agencies, is establishing a Homeland Security Task Force in Nashville. Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Robert McGuire, alongside other agency leaders, will hold a press conference on Thursday to officially announce the formation of the task force. This initiative will focus on addressing major crime issues in Middle Tennessee, including drug trafficking, violent crime, and immigration violations.
Recent Successes and Task Force Goals
The creation of the task force follows a series of successful operations, including the dismantling of a Nashville-based cell of the MS-13 gang in September 2025. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) had been investigating the gang for nine months, and the operation resulted in 17 arrests across Tennessee, California, and Oklahoma. The operation is part of a broader effort to crack down on transnational crime affecting the U.S.
The newly established Homeland Security Task Force will target a range of criminal activities in the region, including:
- Drug trafficking
- Money laundering
- Human trafficking
- Alien smuggling
- Homicide
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Weapons trafficking
Collaboration Between Agencies
The task force will be a collaborative effort involving several key agencies, including:
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Army Criminal Investigation Division
- Nashville Metropolitan Police Department (MNPD)
- Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
These agencies will work together to investigate and dismantle criminal organizations operating in the region, focusing on both local and transnational threats.
ICE Call Center and Broader Efforts
This announcement comes shortly after the creation of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) call center in Nashville, further signaling the government’s commitment to enhancing enforcement operations in the region. The new Homeland Security Task Force will complement the ICE center and support ongoing efforts to curb criminal activity tied to both local and international sources.
National Efforts to Combat Crime
The Homeland Security Task Force in Nashville is part of a broader initiative involving other task forces established in areas like Texas and Alaska. These task forces are designed to tackle transnational crime on a national scale, with the goal of reducing criminal influence and violence throughout the U.S.
Closing line
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
