Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are collaborating with the Trump Administration to enhance border security. Their efforts focus on stopping the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas and intercepting transnational criminal activities at the borders.

Operation Lone Star has resulted in over 531,600 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 51,300 criminal arrests, including over 43,800 felony charges. In combating the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized over 626 million lethal doses of fentanyl since the operation began.

The operation aims to mitigate issues attributed to open border policies under the Biden Administration. Governor Abbott recently shared images of Texas National Guard soldiers working alongside Border Patrol marine teams on the Rio Grande River. He emphasized continued collaboration with the Trump Administration for immigration enforcement.

On Tuesday, DPS and U.S. Border Patrol Horse Units apprehended two illegal immigrants in Webb County following a camera alert. Both individuals were from Mexico and were referred to Border Patrol.

Last Thursday, DPS troopers seized cocaine valued at over six million dollars in Hidalgo County. The drugs were found in a semitrailer suspected of smuggling narcotics by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Mario Robledo, a Mexican national driving the vehicle, was arrested for drug-related charges.

In another incident this week in the Rio Grande Valley, DPS’ Tactical Marine Unit confiscated 43 pounds of narcotics being transported by an illegal immigrant across the Rio Grande River. The individual was arrested and referred to Border Patrol.

Additionally, Texas National Guard soldiers have been enhancing their tactical skills through baton training as part of ongoing readiness exercises. This training is intended to improve their response capabilities during immigration arrests.

Texas National Guard soldiers remain actively engaged alongside state and federal law enforcement agencies to combat drug smuggling and human trafficking along the border.

"My favorite part of Operation Lone Star is being able to work with brush response teams," said one soldier involved in these efforts. "I feel like I am making a difference and border crossings have been down significantly."