Since launching an enforcement effort along the border, Governor Greg Abbott says "Operation Lone Star" has led to 211,800 migrant apprehensions. The operation with local law enforcement, DPS and Texas National Guard was launched in March 2021.
In addition to migrant apprehensions, Abbott says Operation Lone Star has resulted in 12,100 arrests for criminal offenses, including 9,600 felony arrests on charges including sex offenders, human trafficking and weapons trafficking.
"Without the resources we provided, there would have been virtually no impediment to illegal border crossings," Abbott said during a meeting with law enforcement in Weslaco.
"We've got transnational gang members, we've got cartel members themselves, we've got fentanyl, certainly methamphetamine," said DPS Director Steve McCraw. "It impacts Texas communities."
McCraw said Operation Lone Star has led to the seizure of five tons of meth and 1,300 pounds of fentanyl. Abbott says 1,300 pounds of fentanyl is the equivalent of 288 million lethal doses.
"Very importantly, they have shown in areas where Texas, working with local law enforcement in certain border regions, we've been able to cut in half the number of illegal border crossings," Abbott says.
Abbott says the National Guard, DPS and local law enforcement have had 13,000 "turnbacks", where they have stopped people from coming into the U.S.
"Without the resources we have provided, there would have been virtually no impediment to illegal border crossings," Abbott says.
During his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden said the federal government had set up scanners to "better detect drug smuggling." He also said the U.S. had set up joint patrols with Guatemala and Mexico to catch human traffickers.
LISTEN TO 1080 KRLD FOR NEWS, WEATHER & TRAFFIC.
"If we are to advance liberty and justice, we need to secure the border and fix the immigration system," the president said.
Last week, a federal appeals court ruled the U.S. can continue turning back migrants apprehended at the border, but the ruling included the caveat, "For now, the Executive may expel the Plaintiffs, but only to places where they will not be persecuted or tortured."
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD