Law enforcement officers in the Texas Border region have been extremely busy this month.
On Friday, a simple traffic stop in Hidalgo County escalated into a significant drug bust.
A State Trooper from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) uncovered a staggering amount of cocaine during a vehicle search. The trooper seized over 133 pounds of cocaine, which is valued at approximately $1.2 million on the street. The individuals involved in this smuggling operation, a father and son from Reynosa, Mexico, have been apprehended and are now facing multiple felony charges. They are currently being held at the Hidalgo County Jail.
WATCH: A smuggler crashes into a FedEx truck while fleeing from @TxDPS in Webb County. The driver, from Laredo, was arrested for evading & human smuggling after 7 illegal immigrants from MX were caught. #OperationLoneStar pic.twitter.com/wO94XvY7RR
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) February 16, 2024
But frequently, the smugglers refuse to stop. DPS Troopers encountered a risky chase in the vicinity of Laredo.
Smuggler pursuits like this are not isolated incidents. Check out this video of another armed smuggler trying to elude DPS Troopers in Maverick County this month.
.@TxDPS Troopers arrest an armed smuggler in Maverick County after a high-speed chase. The driver & a group of illegal immigrants bailed out. Troopers gave chase & arrested the driver, who was armed with a handgun & apprehended 4 illegal immigrants. #OperationLoneStar pic.twitter.com/hm0hdanEu5
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) February 10, 2024
In El Paso, the FBI agents and city police officers conducted a raid on a hotel room and successfully apprehended a confessed cartel member who was wanted for murder in Mexico. During the operation, the officers made a significant discovery – an arsenal of weapons was found in the hotel room of the murder suspect.
FBI agents and Border Patrol agents at the International Border in El Paso handed over the murder suspect and cartel member to Mexican authorities.
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