"Together, we will save more innocent lives from being lost to the scourge of fentanyl."
– 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 over 363,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 26,000 criminal arrests, with more than 24,000 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps left by the Biden Administration's refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Joe Biden's open border policies.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:
Governor Abbott Announces Statewide Initiatives To Fight Fentanyl Crisis
Governor Greg Abbott announced two major statewide initiatives late last week to combat the growing national fentanyl crisis – and save innocent lives in Texas during his "One Pill Kills" Summit in Austin.
During a press conference following panel discussions, the Governor unveiled a new $10 million multimedia awareness initiative through the Texas Health & Human Services Commission to educate Texans on how to prevent, recognize, and reverse fentanyl poisonings as part of the statewide "One Pill Kills" campaign.
The Governor also announced the plan to distribute Naloxone (NARCAN) to all 254 Texas counties by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
"Thanks to President Joe Biden and his reckless open border policies, the historic levels of fentanyl flooding across our border remains the single deadliest drug threat Texas and our nation have ever seen," said Governor Abbott.
"I am proud to be here today with so many strong voices leading the fight against the fentanyl crisis in Texas communities. Together, we will save more innocent lives from being lost to the scourge of fentanyl."
Governor Abbott has taken the following actions to address the growing fentanyl crisis plaguing our state and the nation:
- Signing a law enhancing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl
- Designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations
- Announcing fighting the fentanyl crisis as an emergency item for the 88th Legislative Session
- Read more about Governor Abbott's "One Pill Kills" summit.
- WATCH: Austin Teens Lead DPS On High-Speed Pursuit During Smuggling Attempt
