Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard continue to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people into Texas; and preventing, detecting and interdicting transnational criminal behavior between points of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 323,000 migrant arrests and over 21,600 criminal arrests, with over 19,200 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, the DPS seized over 350 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
Texas has also transported nearly 8,300 migrants to the nation’s capital since April, more than 3,700 migrants to New York since August 5 and more than 1,200 migrants to Chicago since August 31. The Bus Mission brings much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border communities. .
Operation Lone Star continues to fill dangerous voids left by the Biden administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would otherwise have entered communities in Texas and across the country because of President Biden’s open border policies.
RECENT OPERATION LONE STAR HIGHLIGHTS:
Texas National Guard soldiers assist in the seizure of 100 pounds. Marijuana
Texas National Guard soldiers assisted law enforcement in seizing 100 pounds. of marijuana and the arrest of four illegal immigrants. After crossing the border, two illegal immigrants attempted to evade federal law enforcement agents. The soldiers moved south to intercept the two remaining illegal immigrants on foot.
The four smugglers were in possession of two 50-pound packages of marijuana with an approximate street value of $150,000.
The DPS stops a drug smuggling attempt and seizes nearly 300 books. Marijuana
The DPS soldiers noticed an extinguished ATV leaving the river and heading towards them. The ATV struck the patrol unit causing a passenger to be ejected from the ATV. Border Patrol apprehended two of the male suspects after they attempted to flee. The soldiers discovered and seized packages containing nearly 300 pounds of marijuana.
DPS Expert Tracker finds 300 pounds. Of Marijuana In Big Bend National Park
A DPS Tactical Flight Officer working on Operation Lone Star discovered 300 pounds. of marijuana in a remote section of Big Bend National Park after tracking footprints for four miles. Five packages, each weighing around 60 pounds, were discovered in compressed bags spray-painted to blend in with the terrain.
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez told Fox News that the Big Bend area is frequented by drug dealers due to the rugged and remote terrain. During the extreme summer months, illegal immigrants also died attempting the journey from Mexico through the region.
WATCH: DPS conducted high-speed pursuit, eight illegal immigrants apprehended
A smuggler led a DPS soldier on a high-speed vehicle chase in Hidalgo County. After crashing into a gate, the smuggler bailed out and rushed into a gated community. Eight illegal immigrants also bailed out and fled.
The smuggler was arrested and charged with human trafficking. The eight illegal immigrants were turned over to Border Patrol.
DPS apprehends 34 illegal immigrants aboard stationary train near culvert
While serving the Operation Lone Star mission, DPS Special Operations Group personnel and Border Patrol agents encountered a group of illegal immigrants aboard a stationary train and a nearby culvert . A total of 34 illegal immigrants from Mexico were apprehended and turned over to Border Patrol.
WATCH: Texas National Guard soldiers describe border operations in El Paso
As part of Operation Lone Star, the Texas National Guard recently expanded its area of operations to help the DPS deal with increased illegal immigration and border activity in the El Paso area. . Troopers continue to assist DPS soldiers in deterring and disrupting transnational criminal activity, such as human trafficking. The soldiers described a recent mission monitoring a storm drain where several illegal immigrants had been hiding.
“Success for us is a close partnership with the DPS and the ability to respond quickly to their public safety needs,” said Col. Brian Fletcher, deputy commander of operations for Operation Lone Star. “Success lies in active deterrence, the ability to observe, report and improve response time.”
“Having soldiers here helps increase the amount of surveillance we can conduct on some of these areas so we can identify other places of contraband,” said Jose Sanchez, DPS regional director in El Paso. “In coordination with [the Texas Military Department] and DPS, we can identify certain vehicles or groups crossing and intercept them easily.
WATCH: DPS arrests out-of-state driver and passenger for human trafficking
DPS soldiers apprehended six illegal immigrants during a traffic stop in Kinney County. The driver and passenger from Arkansas, who was also a fugitive, were both arrested for human trafficking. The six illegal immigrants were turned over to Border Patrol.
