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Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star (OLS) has been making headlines with its robust efforts to secure the Texas border since its launch in 2021. The operation has seen officers apprehend over 530,600 illegal border crossers and make more than 50,000 criminal arrests, with over 43,000 of those being felony charges. In an impressive display of vigilance, OLS officers have seized more than 622 million lethal doses of fentanyl, a staggering amount capable of endangering the entire population of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada combined.
The mission’s scope extends beyond just the numbers. Officers are also actively apprehending individuals flagged as “Special Interest Aliens” (SIAs)—those with potential terrorist connections. In Hidalgo County, a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) brush team recently detained four SIAs from Turkey who had illegally crossed into Mission, Texas.
These individuals were guided into the country by a coyote from Mexico, whom the DPS subsequently arrested for human smuggling. The Turkish nationals were handed over to Border Patrol for further processing.
The reach of these apprehensions isn’t limited to Turkey; DPS officers have also detained SIAs from countries like Afghanistan, the Congo, Egypt, and Iran. These are individuals who, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, may have connections to terrorism, posing a potential national security risk to the United States.
OLS has also been leveraging advanced technology to combat illegal activities along the southern border. On a single day, they used ground surveillance radar and thermal imaging to detect and turn back 62 foreign nationals attempting to cross from Mexico.
They are conducting “Migration Operational Readiness Exercises” (MORE) in collaboration with DPS and other law enforcement entities along the Rio Grande River. The Texas Task Force East – Strike Team is training to act swiftly in potential mass migration scenarios, as highlighted by 1Lt. Jacob Eggimann in a recent video update.
“We are conducting a MORE,” Eggimann stated, mentioning the use of M2S2, drones, boats, Humvees, and other resources in partnership with law enforcement. He emphasized the importance of marking the border clearly. “This is the line. This is our house. We control our house. We are going to maintain our border and work together with our law enforcement partners to control who is coming in and to protect our communities.”
The Modular Mobile Survey System (M2S2) enhances their capability to target transnational criminals effectively with its infrared, high-definition camera, and radar technology.
Despite being four years into the border crisis, OLS officers remain steadfast in their commitment to curbing human smuggling, especially in areas like Webb County. This community has shown strong support for President-elect Donald Trump and his border policies. In one notable incident, a driver of a stolen GMC Sierra led DPS troopers on a high-speed chase along IH-35.
The driver, hailing from San Antonio, crashed into another vehicle while attempting to evade capture. Troopers deployed a tire deflation device successfully, bringing the chase to an end. The driver, who fled on foot, was eventually captured and faced numerous charges, including evading arrest, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, and smuggling of persons. The Mexican nationals in the vehicle were handed over to Border Patrol.
In another case, OLS DPS troopers stopped an 18-wheeler on IH-35. Upon searching the vehicle with the driver’s consent, troopers discovered 12 Mexican nationals, including a 16-year-old. The driver and passenger, both from Laredo, faced charges for smuggling persons, highlighting the ongoing challenge of human smuggling along the border
Webb County made history recently by voting for Donald Trump and flipping red. The county judge was the latest to switch parties and become a Republican, reflecting a broader trend reported by The Center Square. Polls indicate that Hispanic Texans, including those living near the border, largely support Texas’s border security efforts. This shift showcases a growing alignment with the state’s initiative to safeguard communities and maintain order.
The concerted efforts of OLS and its partners underscore the commitment to protecting the border and ensuring the safety and security of citizens. As technology continues to advance and support these initiatives, the mission remains clear: to uphold the integrity of the border and work collaboratively with communities and law enforcement to address challenges as they arise.