Operation Lone Star is an initiative launched by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott designed to try and stop weapons and drug smuggling, secure the border, and detect criminal behavior at ports of entry.
Operation Lone Star has led to over 18,600 felony charges, over 21,000 criminal arrests, and more than 317,000 apprehensions of unlawful migrants.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), for example, has seized more than 342 million lethal fentanyl doses. On October 17, Abbott launched the “One Pill Kills” campaign as part of Operation Lone Star.
“Fentanyl remains the single deadliest drug threat our state and nation has ever encountered, killing four Texans every day,” he said. “Fentanyl is a clandestine killer, with Mexican drug cartels strategically manufacturing and distributing the drug disguised as painkillers, stimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and even candy.”
Abbott claimed the Biden administration was negligent in addressing this national security threat. In contrast, Texas designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations and launched a statewide public awareness campaign.
The governor reminded Texans that “just one pill laced with fentanyl can take someone’s life.” With the help of cooperating agencies, he said, the plan is to “protect more innocent lives from being lost to this deadly drug.”
Fentanyl overdose is the number one cause of death for Americans from 18 to 45. Nearly 1,700 Texans died from fentanyl last year, according to the October press release.
Steve McCraw, DPS’s director, explained, “The governor is not just focused on the enforcement portion [of combatting the crisis] but also education.”
McCraw continued to note that Abbott is “enlisting state agencies, enlisting the communities across Texas, and enlisting the media to educate parents and adults about the dangers of fentanyl.”
“Mexican cartels are the most powerful, ruthless, and depraved criminal organizations in the world,” the DPS director explained. “They care only about making money. People are a commodity when they move them across the border, and they couldn’t care less about overdose deaths in Texas.”
The issue of fentanyl proliferation has prompted government and community leaders in Dallas to take steps seeking to mitigate the impact of the deadly drug. In October, a round table discussion was hosted to educate people, and drug overdoses have reached a three-year high, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Since it was first announced in March 2021, Operation Lone Star has been a source of controversy and criticism, the Dallas Observer reported.
Beto O’Rourke, who is running against Abbott for governor, has spoken out against the operation.
The gubernatorial candidate called the operation a publicity stunt, and he condemned the cost of it during a September debate.
“Ten thousand Guard members, $4 billion, and it’s been a complete failure,” O’Rourke said.
At least eight national guard members died during the operation.
An October 27 press release from Abbott announced that $874.6 million would be transferred to departments and agencies to help secure the border.
Operation Lone Star would be awarded $339.6 million of that figure to continue its efforts, and other agencies supporting it will be funded with $20 million.