"These stash houses contain people or drugs that may have otherwise made their way across Texas and the nation because of the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration."
– Governor Greg Abbott
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas, and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to:
more than 302,600 migrant apprehensions,- more than 19,700 criminal arrests, with
- more than 17,200 felony charges reported.
- In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized
- over 340.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
- over 7,900 migrants to our nation's capital since April, and
- over 2,200 migrants to New York City since August 5th
- over 300 migrants from Texas have arrived in Chicago.
- The busing mission is providing much-needed relief to Texas' overwhelmed Border Communities.
Governor Abbott Increases Reward For Reporting Criminal Stash Houses
Governor Abbott last week announced that his Public Safety Office, in conjunction with DPS, has increased the reward amount of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification of stash houses used in transnational criminal activity.
The "Texas Stash House Program" encourages Texans to help combat transnational crime by anonymously reporting information on stash houses used to facilitate human trafficking, drug smuggling, and smuggling of people.
"As President Biden's dangerous open border policies continue to allow cartels and other criminal organizations to operate freely in our communities, it is more important than ever that Texans step up and report suspicious activity," said Governor Abbott.During the last week of August DPS successfully conducted a stash house operation based on the first tip approved for the newly increased reward amount, which led to the seizure of:
- more than 19 kg. of methamphetamine
- 20 lbs. of marijuana, cocaine, heroine, LSD, among other illegal drugs
- more than $6,000, gold coins and bars, silver coins and bars
- and four weapons
""These stash houses contain people or drugs that may have otherwise made their way across Texas and the nation because of the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration's refusal to secure the border."
To be eligible for the cash rewards, anyone with information on stash houses can provide anonymous tips in one of the following ways:
- Call the Crime Stoppers hotline: 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
- Submit an online tip at https://www.p3tips.com/650
- Submit a Facebook tip by clicking the "Submit a Tip" link under the "About" section
- Read the Full Press Release HERE.
Texas National Guard soldiers in the Tactical Response Unit (TRU) employ both land and water resources to interdict illegal activity along the border. The TRU team uses fast boats on the water, while a team of soldiers on land in the brush stop criminal activity and illegal entry into the U.S.Both teams radio Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies in the area for faster, more closely coordinated efforts.
Border Patrol agents working cameras and agents on patrol can provide locations in real time to the TRU team. The TRU team’s combined efforts every week average hundreds of turnbacks and roughly 50 apprehensions, which include human and drug smugglers, cartel members, and low-level criminals.
“We see a good amount of traffic, by the time our boats are in the water, there are usually groups who have already crossed,” said Sgt. Castillo, a member of the boat patrols.
“For those criminals or illegal crossers undeterred by the boats, our guys in the brush, they cover down.”
