Texas Drone Technology Helps Major Narcotics Seizures

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, guns and people into Texas; and prevent, detect and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.

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, guns and people into Texas; and prevent, detect and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has resulted in more than 521,100 apprehensions of illegal immigrants and more than 47,400 criminal arrests, with more than 41,000 felony charges. In the fight against the fentanyl crisis, police in Texas have seized more than 544 million lethal doses of fentanyl – enough to kill every man, woman and child in the United States and Mexico combined during this border mission.

Texas has reduced the number of illegal border crossings into the state by 87% thanks to our historic border security mission. Fewer illegal crossings into Texas mean fewer migrants needing to be transported to sanctuary cities. Since the inception of Texas’ transportation program, the state has transported:

• More than 12,500 migrants to Washington, DC since April 2022

• More than 45,900 migrants to New York City since August 2022

• More than 36,900 migrants to Chicago since August 2022

• More than 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia since November 2022

• More than 19,200 migrants to Denver since May 2023

• More than 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles since June 2023

Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the federal government’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would otherwise have ended up in communities across Texas and the country because of the open border policy.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:

Governor Abbott is raising awareness for Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month

On Tuesday, the governor issued a proclamation declaring October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas.

Mexican drug cartels strategically produce and distribute the drug, disguised as painkillers, stimulants, anti-anxiety drugs and even candy. Texas is doing its best to prevent the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl from entering our state and country. Since the Governor launched Operation Lone Star, Texas has seized more than 544 million lethal doses of fentanyl, saving countless lives.

Texas will continue to fight Mexican drug cartels and stop the distribution of deadly drugs like fentanyl.

Governor Abbott: Illegal border crossings down 87%

Yesterday, Governor Abbott on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighted the success of barbed wire barriers on Texas’ southern border to deter illegal immigrants from entering the state.

Texas will continue to work to ensure the safety of our communities and protect Texans.

Governor Abbott: Federal government must put Americans first

Earlier this week, Governor Abbott pointed to the federal government’s weak border policy, which prioritizes support for illegal immigrants over American citizens in need.

Texas continues to send resources and support to our fellow Americans affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene.

WATCH: DPS Brush Team arrests human smugglers during traffic stop in Hidalgo County

On Tuesday, a DPS Brush Team arrested several people – including a man wanted for murder – after a vehicle chase involving human traffickers in Hidalgo County.

A DPS trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Tahoe in Mission. The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended on FM 494 and DPS troopers discovered three illegal immigrants and a U.S. citizen in the vehicle who had been smuggled into the U.S.

The driver, Nathan Iracheta, 17, of Pharr, was arrested for human trafficking and evading arrest. The U.S. citizen smuggled back into the United States, Eliezer Morales, 30, of McAllen, was wanted by McAllen police for murder. Erik Gonzalez Torres, 19, of Mexico, was arrested for human smuggling after it was determined he led their group across the Rio Grande. All three were taken to the Hidalgo County Jail.

The other two illegal immigrants were referred to the Border Patrol.

DPS troopers arrest group of 230 illegal immigrants in Eagle Pass

DPS troops encountered and apprehended a group of 230 illegal immigrants in Eagle Pass this week.

The group included 27 illegal immigrants from countries of special interest, including Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Iran and Pakistan. Because these 27 migrants attempted to enter the country illegally to avoid detection and came from countries with extensive terrorist activities, they were all turned over to the Border Police for processing and additional control.

In addition to the 27 illegal immigrants of particular concern, DPS troopers also arrested 41 illegal immigrants for criminal trespassing from that group. These individuals came from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Those 41 were taken to the Val Verde processing center.

DPS Brush Team arrests 11 illegal immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley

Earlier this week, the DPS Brush Team in the Rio Grande Valley arrested 11 illegal immigrants after crossing the Rio Grande River into Texas. One of the illegal immigrants, from Mexico, was identified as a foot smuggling guide and was arrested and charged with human smuggling. Also among the group, DPS troopers identified another illegal immigrant, from Mexico, as a Paisa gang member who works for the Gulf Cartel and has a history of 55 arrests for illegal entry.

Ten illegal immigrants, including the Paisa gang member, were referred to the border police.

Texas National Guard uses advanced technology to stop illegal border crossings

Earlier this week, a Texas National Guard Modular Mobile Survey System (M2S2) team in Eagle Pass stopped a group of nine illegal immigrants from entering Texas from Mexico.

The soldier team used the M2S2’s advanced optics to identify the illegal immigrants in the early morning and notified ground units in the area. Security teams and drone operators from Operation Lone Star responded and tracked the illegal immigrants, who attempted to evade ground units.

Anti-climb barriers along the banks of the Rio Grande River have effectively deterred and repelled migrants from illegal entry. After several attempts to enter the country illegally, the migrants returned to Mexico.

Texas National Guard drone team helps narcotics seizure in Brownsville

A Texas National Guard drone team helped ground troops and law enforcement seize more than 127 pounds. of narcotics last week.

The team observed a group of migrants illegally crossing the Rio Grande River into Texas from Mexico. The drone picked up the illegal immigrants as they tried to hide in dense vegetation and conceal several packages. A second drone team responded to the area to provide more visual tracking and support. The drone teams monitored the group while a Texas National Guard brush operations team responded with law enforcement. The officers apprehended and arrested the suspected drug traffickers, while soldiers recovered a number of large packages of narcotics.

The Texas National Guard continues to strengthen border barriers near Eagle Pass

Texas National Guard soldiers continue to hold the line as they reinforce barbed wire and anti-climb barriers near Eagle Pass. The combination of strategic barriers and Texas National Guard troops patrolling the Texas-Mexico border effectively deters illegal immigrants from entering Texas from Mexico.

Texas National Guard soldiers are working around the clock to secure our southern border.