MANASSAS, Va. (TNND) — A prominent leader of the violent MS-13 gang was arrested early Thursday morning in Woodbridge, Virginia, according to an announcement from President Donald Trump.

The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in law enforcement efforts to combat MS-13’s criminal activities across the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the operation as a success.

“I’m proud to announce that early this morning our brave law enforcement officers conducted a successful operation that captured a top MS-13 national leader. DOJ will not rest until we make America safe again,” Bondi wrote on X. “The Department of Justice will not rest until America is safe again.”

The suspect, a 24-year-old man from El Salvador, had been overseeing MS-13 operations on the East Coast and is considered one of the top three leaders of the gang in the United States.

“He’s in custody this morning, just miles from our nation’s capital,” Bondi said at a news conference in Manassas, Virginia. “He was one of the most dangerous and violent members of MS-13.”

The arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by local and federal law enforcement agencies. The operation involved the FBI, Prince William County Police Department, ATF, ICE, and the Virginia State Police.

While authorities declined to release the suspect’s identity, they confirmed that he was living in the U.S. illegally, just 30 minutes outside Washington, D.C.

“For certain operational reasons, we’re not identifying him by name right now,” Bondi explained. “But make no mistake—he was one of the top leaders, heading up all MS-13 violent crimes on the East Coast. He was responsible for heinous acts, and he should never have been in this country.”

Bondi also revealed that the suspect had been recruited by MS-13 at a young age and had worked his way up to a leadership role within the gang. “To get to that position, you have to be ruthless and violent, but he’s no longer a threat because he’s behind bars,” she added.

The announcement was made alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert, who joined Bondi at the press conference.

In a statement on social media, President Trump commended the operation and credited his Border Czar, Tom Homan, for his role in the success. “Tom Homan is a superstar,” Trump wrote.