As part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star border security mission, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are actively pursuing human smugglers.
During an interview with The Center Square, Trooper Jaclyn Gooding, a veteran with five years of experience at DPS, shared her insights as she relocated to the border. Assigned to cover an extensive region spanning from Del Rio to Eagle Pass, Trooper Gooding explained that while highway patrol troopers usually focus on traffic stops, responding to car crashes, and apprehending intoxicated drivers across the state, the border area presents a unique challenge due to the intensified criminal activity related to human smuggling.
According to The Center Square, smugglers frequently exceed speeds of 100 miles per hour, navigate through residential areas, forcefully break through fences and private property, collide with other vehicles, and eventually come to a halt when their vehicle becomes inoperable. It is common for both the drivers and the individuals being smuggled to hastily exit the vehicle and attempt to escape arrest, a practice known as “bail outs.”
In an exclusive interview with The Center Square, Gooding, a resident of northeast Texas, expressed her determination to apprehend smugglers. She emphasized the personal significance of this mission, stating, “This is our backyard. It is personal to us.” Gooding further highlighted the wide-reaching impact of the border crisis, emphasizing that it affects everyone.
“We cannot ignore the impact on our neighbors, neighborhoods, cities, and towns caused by all of this. Our ranchers and community’s properties are being significantly damaged. Our primary objective is to ensure the protection of everyone involved.”
Gooding, who joined DPS later in life, made the decision to join with the intention of heading straight into danger at the Texas-Mexico border. At present, she finds fulfillment in instructing and guiding other new recruits on how to effectively identify and apprehend smugglers.
“I take great pride in the fact that I have made a tangible impact in certain situations,” she expressed. “I have intervened and stopped individuals who displayed a complete disregard for human life. For instance, there have been instances where I, along with others, have rescued illegal foreign nationals who were being smuggled or individuals who were on the verge of losing their lives in car accidents caused by smugglers who showed no remorse, all for the sake of monetary gain.”
Criminal activity, as Gooding emphasized, revolves around financial gain. She clarified that individuals being smuggled are not seen as people by criminal organizations, but rather as commodities. Gangs and Mexican cartels benefit from smuggling operations, as they generate profits from various illegal activities. These include stolen vehicles, drugs, stolen guns, and money laundering. The aim is to monetize anything that can generate income for these criminal groups. It is not limited to human smuggling alone, but encompasses all forms of organized crime that law enforcement is determined to combat.
Troopers stationed at the border have affirmed that Operation Lone Star (OLS) has resulted in arrests they would not have made otherwise. They have successfully apprehended individuals involved in stolen vehicle cases, as well as seized drugs and firearms that may have gone undetected without their presence. These accomplishments occur on a daily basis, highlighting the effectiveness of OLS in combating crime at the border.
In Webb County, just a few hours east of Gooding’s location, troopers recently encountered a common border-related situation when they intercepted suspected human smuggling activities. During one incident, they engaged in a high-speed pursuit that concluded in a residential neighborhood. Eventually, the driver, a resident of Laredo, came to a stop and was taken into custody. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered six Mexican nationals who had allegedly entered the country illegally. The individuals were apprehended and temporarily held on the front lawn of a local residence before being handed over to Border Patrol. As for the driver, they were charged with evading arrest and smuggling of persons.
During a recent incident in Webb County, there was a high-speed pursuit involving an individual suspected of human smuggling. The alleged smuggler skillfully maneuvered through traffic, but unfortunately collided with a FedEx truck, resulting in the truck flipping over. Despite the crash, the driver persisted and only halted in a commercial area after their vehicle became inoperable. A trooper then chased the suspect on foot. Ultimately, the suspect, who was also from Laredo, was apprehended and now faces charges of evading arrest and smuggling of persons.
Seven Mexican nationals were found inside the crashed vehicle, and it was reported that they had entered the country illegally. They were subsequently referred to Border Patrol.
Since its launch in March 2021, Abbott’s Operation Lone Star (OLS) has resulted in the apprehension of over 500,000 illegal foreign nationals and made more than 39,500 criminal arrests. These arrests include over 35,600 felony charges and have been carried out by state and local law enforcement.
Gooding believes that their hard work and dedication are yielding positive results, as the OLS officers are not only safeguarding Texas but also playing a crucial role in protecting our entire country.