(The Center Square) – As Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star, continues in its fifth year, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers are continuing to apprehend violent criminals.
Interdiction efforts are ongoing statewide and along the border. But in West Texas, DPS troopers have also been actively targeting criminal networks, including Tren de Aragua members, “most wanted” criminal foreign nationals and human traffickers, and targeting oil field theft, The Center Square reported.
Violent criminals are being apprehended through traffic enforcement and targeted operations in coordination with federal and local law enforcement partners.
In a recent bust, a DPS trooper arrested a Mexican national in Mentone, Texas, and in Loving County, a fugitive wanted for rape by Mexican officials. After conducting a traffic stop, the trooper detected a strong odor of marijuana, conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and found marijuana and an illegal firearm. The driver was arrested and booked into the Winkler County Detention Center.
Further investigation revealed the Mexican national was in the country illegally and was wanted by Mexican authorities on a rape charge. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.
In a two-day Targeted Violent Crime Operation, in coordination with multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in Howard and Martin counties, 40 violent offenders were arrested.
The focus of the operation was to target violent offenders and high-crime areas to disrupt and dismantle criminal activity. “Special emphasis was placed on interdiction efforts to remove firearms from individuals prohibited from possessing or carrying weapons, including convicted felons, violent offenders, and juveniles,” DPS said.
Law enforcement involved in the operation included U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations, HSI, the DEA, DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Highway Patrol, Big Spring Police Department and the sheriff’s office of Howard and Martin counties.
Those arrested were charged with false identification, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, evading arrest, unlawful carry of a weapon and unlawful carry of a weapon by a felon.
One illegal foreign national was apprehended by ICE-ERO and one criminal gang member was identified during the operation, DPS said.
The operation highlights “the critical partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to combat violent and felonious crime,” DPS said.
Also this month, DPS graduated eight more K-9 teams and two certified K-9 Tech Trainers, which all play a role in border security and criminal interdiction. This is after DPS graduated nine new K-9 teams and four certified K9 Tech Trainers last November who deployed across Texas, The Center Square reported.
“Our K-9 teams are an integral part of DPS and play a vital role in our mission to protect and serve the people of Texas,” Texas Highway Patrol Chief Bryan Rippee said. “Whether they are detecting explosives, tracking fugitives or uncovering drugs, these dogs and their handlers demonstrate extraordinary dedication and courage every day. Their work not only enhances our operational capabilities but also represents the very best of our commitment to keeping Texas safe.”
DPS’ K-9 program includes 101 personnel, including 88 handlers working with German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retrievers and a Vizsla. Total DPS K-9 teams include 59 in narcotics detection, 15 in explosives detection and 14 for tracking.
Narcotics K-9s are trained to detect a wide range of controlled substances and operate in high-pressure environments, including vehicle searches, package inspections and large-scale criminal investigations. Explosives K-9s are trained to detect a wide range of explosive odors and are prepared to work in high-risk environments like schools, large-scale public events and government facilities. Tracking dogs are trained to follow human scent trails over long distances and in tough terrains, including deserts, brush, urban areas and waterways, DPS says.
“Their contributions go beyond enforcement, serving as a deterrent to criminal activity” and “their precision, discipline and unwavering focus make them a trusted line of defense in DPS’ ongoing mission to keep Texas safe,” DPS says.
