The press release from the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday detailed startling statistics from Operation Lone Star, showing that the crisis at the border continues to impact citizens.
“Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 523,100 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 47,800 criminal arrests, with more than 41,300 felony charges. In the fight against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized over 551 million lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to kill every man, woman, and child in the United States and Mexico combined during this border mission,” states the release.
“Texas has decreased illegal crossings into the state by over 86% due to our historic border security mission,” continues the press release.
Each person apprehended or detained, and every bit of drugs confiscated would have otherwise entered communities in Texas and the rest of the country as a result of lax border policies, stressed the governor.
Those apprehended include Tren de Aragua.
“I want to be very clear: the Tren de Aragua problem in Texas and the rest of the United States is a direct result of open border policies,” said Texas Border Czar Mike Banks.
The Dallas Express previously reported on the gang Tren de Aragua, also known as the ‘epitome of evil,’ and its involvement in drug smuggling, child prostitution, and human trafficking networks in South America. Its influence in the U.S. has increased significantly with the influx of Venezuelan migrants.
On October 5, over 100 law enforcement officers cleared nearly 300 apartments in San Antonio, confirming that members of the Tren de Argua gang were in custody. Additionally, reports indicate that Tren de Aragua has taken over three more complexes in San Antonio.
Gov. Abbott addressed the threat of Tren de Aragua on October 17, saying, “Our latest battle has been against Tren de Aragua. They’re notorious for brutal violence, kidnapping, extortion, and bribery. Which is why last month, I ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch a statewide operation directly targeting Tren de Aragua to deter and disrupt their criminal operations. Texas law enforcement has already begun making arrests of known and suspected Tren de Aragua members. Together, we will secure our border, defend our communities, and keep Texas safe.”
On September 16, Abbott designated Tren de Aragua (TdA) as a foreign terrorist organization. Thus, instructing DPS to upgrade them to a Tier 1 gang and establish a TdA Strike Team to identify and apprehend TdA gang members.
“The recent entry and expansion of the vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, is a dangerous and deadly problem facing our state and nation,” said Abbott.
“Our top focus is the safety and security of all Texans. To address this looming threat, I have ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch a statewide operation directly targeting Tren de Aragua to deter and disrupt their criminal operation. I am also officially designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. Our goal is to defend Texas from the growing threat of the gang. We will not let them use Texas as a base of operations to terrorize our citizens. They have a target on their back, and we are going after them. Texas is the wrong state for them to try to do business in,” Abbott continued.
National Border Patrol Council Vice President Cabrera also addressed the seriousness of TdA injecting themselves into American communities: “If people don’t wake up and see it for what it is, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble in this country.”