Since its inception in 2021, Operation Lone Star, Governor Greg Abbott’s border security mission, has yielded impressive results. OLS officers have successfully apprehended over 530,600 individuals attempting illegal border crossings. Additionally, they have made more than 50,000 criminal arrests, resulting in over 43,000 felony charges being filed.
Law enforcement agencies have also successfully confiscated over 622 million deadly doses of fentanyl. This staggering amount of the drug is enough to cause fatal harm to every individual residing in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, combined.
Law enforcement agencies are also persistently apprehending individuals known as “Special Interest Aliens,” who have been identified as having potential ties to terrorism.
In Mission, Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety brush team in Hidalgo County successfully apprehended four individuals who had illegally entered the U.S. from Turkey. These individuals were guided into the country by a coyote from Mexico. The coyote was arrested by DPS for engaging in human smuggling, while the Turkish nationals were referred to Border Patrol for further action.
According to a report by The Center Square, DPS officers have been apprehending SIAs from various countries including Afghanistan, the Congo, Egypt, and Iran. SIAs, which stands for Special Interest Aliens, are noncitizens who are identified as having a potential connection to terrorism based on their travel patterns. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines SIAs as individuals who pose a national security risk to the United States.
OLS Texas National Guard soldiers are utilizing cutting-edge technology to combat illegal activity along the southern border.
Using a blend of ground surveillance radar and thermal imaging, they successfully identified and deterred 62 foreign nationals attempting to illegally cross the border from Mexico in just one day.
The Texas Task Force East – Strike Team is currently engaged in Migration Operational Readiness Exercises (MORE) with DPS and other law enforcement partners along the Rio Grande River. In a recent video announcement, 1Lt. Jacob Eggimann stated that the team is undergoing training to become a rapid response force for potential mass migration emergencies.
“We are actively carrying out a MORE operation using M2S2, drones, boats, Humvees, and other equipment in collaboration with our law enforcement partners,” he stated. He further explained that a significant number of individuals under his command have received training as military police, which serves as a strong indication that the border is being effectively secured.”
“We are committed to maintaining control over our borders and protecting our communities,” said the spokesperson. “We will work closely with law enforcement partners to ensure that we have a clear understanding of who is entering our country.”
The Modular Mobile Survey System (M2S2) enhances their ability to effectively target transnational criminals with infrared, high-definition cameras and radar.
In Webb County, where residents overwhelmingly support President-elect Donald Trump and his border policies, OLS officers are still actively apprehending human smugglers four years into the border crisis.
During a high-speed chase on IH-35, OLS DPS troopers pursued a stolen GMC Sierra driven by an individual from San Antonio. Despite crashing into another vehicle, the driver continued to elude capture. However, troopers effectively utilized a tire deflation device, which prompted the driver to come to a halt. In a desperate attempt to escape, the driver fled towards the brush but was ultimately apprehended and taken into custody. The driver now faces multiple charges, including evading arrest, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, failure to stop and render aid, as well as four counts of smuggling individuals with the potential for serious bodily harm or death. Border Patrol has taken custody of the four Mexican illegal border crossers found inside the vehicle.
OLS DPS troopers made a traffic stop on IH-35 and encountered the driver of an 18-wheeler. The driver willingly allowed the troopers to search his vehicle. During the search, the trooper discovered 12 individuals who had crossed the Mexican border illegally, one of whom was a 16-year-old.
The driver and passenger, who are both from Laredo, have been charged with 11 counts of smuggling people and one count of smuggling people under the age of 18. The Mexican individuals were subsequently handed over to the Border Patrol.
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In November, Webb County created a historical moment by voting for Donald Trump and shifting its political allegiance to the Republican Party. The county judge also made headlines by switching parties and joining the ranks of the Republicans, as reported by The Center Square.
Multiple polls indicate that Hispanic Texans, including those residing along the border, are in favor of Texas’ border security initiatives.
