The brave men and women of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) continue their relentless efforts to safeguard our national borders, as directed by Governor Greg Abbott’s border security initiative, Operation Lone Star. Their perseverance has led to the capture of numerous human smugglers and illegal entrants, including individuals from nations that pose particular concerns.
In a recent operation in Maverick County, DPS troopers apprehended 31 illegal border crossers. Among them were two men from Syria, alongside individuals from Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, and Venezuela. Each of these individuals was arrested on charges of criminal trespass and transferred to a state processing center adjacent to the Vale Verde County Jail.
Meanwhile, in Kinney County, a night-time traffic stop on US-277 led to the arrest of Kelvin Conde, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, and three Mexican nationals, with the assistance of Border Patrol. Conde faces charges related to human smuggling and evading arrest, highlighting the ongoing struggle to curb illegal activities along our borders. Unfortunately, two individuals managed to evade capture, joining the ranks of an estimated two million “gotaways” who have managed to illegally enter the United States since January 2021.
Hidalgo County tells a similar tale. A DPS trooper stopped a Ford F-250 towing a horse trailer on the notorious smuggling route US-281. Inside the trailer, 27 Mexican nationals were found crammed into a small storage area, suffering from severe heat and lack of ventilation. Three women required immediate medical attention due to severe dehydration. The driver, Jose Guadalupe Salinas of Palmview, Texas, was handed over to Border Patrol and faces federal human smuggling charges.
The escalating numbers of apprehensions and arrests since the inception of Operation Lone Star paint a stark picture. Over 512,300 illegal foreign nationals have been apprehended, and more than 43,400 criminal arrests have been made, including over 38,200 felony charges. Additionally, DPS has seized in excess of 487 million lethal doses of fentanyl, a staggering amount capable of exterminating the entire populations of the United States and Mexico.
These accounts illustrate the critical importance of robust border security measures. The apprehension of illegal border crossers from diverse countries underscores the risks to national security and the unwavering dedication required to protect American citizens. The persistence of DPS troopers and supporting agencies remains pivotal in this ongoing battle, ensuring our borders are fortified against illegal entry and the myriad threats associated with unchecked immigration. Governor Abbott’s commitment to Operation Lone Star reflects a broader resolve to uphold the rule of law and maintain order, reaffirming the essential nature of vigilant border security in safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty and security.
