Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents prevented a narcotic smuggling attempt in Laredo, Texas. USCBP Image For illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas – Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents prevented a narcotic smuggling attempt in Laredo, Texas. On Dec. 4, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo South Station were working their assigned duties when they noticed people attempting to cross from Mexico into the U.S. At the same time, Border Patrol agents observed a vehicle leaving an area on Riverfront Street. Agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on U.S. Highway 83, but the vehicle failed to yield. Moments later, the vehicle came to a stop when several individuals absconded out of the vehicle. Border Patrol agents proceeded to approach the vehicle and were able to apprehend the driver and a passenger.
A thorough search of the vehicle yielded six bundles inside the vehicle. Agents tested the bundles which yielded a positive result for marijuana. The bundles had a weight of 518.65 lbs., with a street value of $414,920.
The subjects and narcotics were taken to Laredo South Station to be processed accordingly.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-343-1994.
Veteran small business owners across Texas can now get free expert help with digital marketing efforts, including their website, through the new 100% Veteran Visibility Program. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Veteran small business owners across Texas can now get free expert help with digital marketing efforts, including their website, through the new 100% Veteran Visibility Program.
Run by nonprofit small businesses lender, LiftFund, and funded by the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance, the program aims to give veteran small businesses a boost in sales by helping them improve their online presence.
“Being found online is now an absolute necessity for any small business. It helps build credibility, your brand, and your sales,” says LiftFund’s Vice President of Business Support, Bridget Ross.
“However, we know that many small businesses lack the support and resources they need to get to that next level, especially our veteran-owned businesses. That’s why this program was created. We want to give you a path to succeed online.”
The 100% Veteran Visibility program pairs qualified applicants with a subject matter expert that works with them one-on-one to assist with website development, social media development, product/service photography, email marketing, and more.
Among qualification requirements are that businesses must be 100% veteran-owned, be registered with the Texas Secretary of State and must have started their business between January 1, 2016 to Dec 31, 2019 or between Jan 1, 2022 to Dec 31, 2025.
The 100% Veteran Visibility program serves businesses located in one of the following Texas counties: El Paso, Bexar, Aransas, Bee, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, Webb, Willacy, Fort Bend, Harris, Waller, Bell, Grimes, Travis, Williamson, Anderson, Angelina, Henderson, Wood, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Hood, Tarrant.
Barratry, commonly known as “ambulance chasing,” is the practice of illegally soliciting clients who are in need of the services of a lawyer. Texas attorneys are prohibited from initiating personal contact with potential clients who have not invited such contact.
Runners or ambulance chasers are people that work directly or indirectly with attorneys that break the law. Under the Texas Penal Code Section 38.12, it’s a crime to get unwanted calls or visits after a car accident. It’s illegal for a lawyer or someone working with a lawyer to solicit you at an accident, follow you, call you, or to go to your house.
If you are a victim or know of anyone who got scammed you may receive $10,000 per person.
La baratería, comúnmente conocida como “persecución de ambulancias”, es la práctica de solicitar ilegalmente a clientes que necesitan los servicios de un abogado. Los abogados de Texas tienen prohibido iniciar contacto personal con clientes potenciales que no hayan invitado a dicho contacto.
Los perseguidores o cazadores de ambulancias son personas que trabajan directa o indirectamente con abogados que infringen la ley. Según la Sección 38.12 del Código Penal de Texas, es un delito recibir llamadas o visitas no deseadas después de un accidente automovilístico. Es ilegal que un abogado o alguien que trabaje con un abogado lo solicite en un accidente, lo siga, lo llame o vaya a su casa.
Si usted es una víctima o sabe de alguien que fue estafado, puede recibir $10,000 por persona.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Ysleta border crossing apprehended a man with an outstanding arrest warrant for homicide out of the Adams County Sherriff’s Office, Brighton Colorado. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Ysleta border crossing apprehended a man with an outstanding arrest warrant for homicide out of the Adams County Sherriff’s Office, Brighton Colorado.
“While conducting our primary inspections CBP will routinely identify and apprehend people being sought for any number of alleged criminal acts,” said CBP Ysleta Port Director Arnoldo Gomez. “This is all part of our homeland security mission and keeping communities safe.”
On Dec.1, CBP officers encountered a 32-year-old male, Mexican citizen who arrived from Mexico via the vehicle lanes. Primary system queries by CBP officers revealed an outstanding warrant for his arrest. The man was secured and escorted to secondary for further inspection where biometric verification confirmed his identity along with the active warrant for homicide out of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Brighton, Colorado.
The individual was arrested by CBP officers and turned over to local authorities pending extradition to the originating agency.
Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas leadership celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new building on Thursday, November 17th, 2022. The Greater Chamber of Harlingen, Harlingen, and Cameron County public officials also participated.
Behavioral Health Solutions has been working on expanding behavioral health services within the City of Harlingen and Cameron County in collaboration with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, city officials, county officials, parents, and youth.
This newly renovated site will help improve access and further efforts to fill in gaps in services and resources identified by collaborative partners and those we serve.
Above is the ceremony captured in this video. Make yourself comfortable and learn what is available regarding this vital community service. Brought to you by Mega Doctor News, Texas Border Business and Me Gusta TV.
The R U OK? Senior Program is a free service that establishes a prearranged time for participants to receive a weekly phone call inquiring about their welfare. Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
The R U OK? Senior Program is a free service that establishes a prearranged time for participants to receive a weekly phone call inquiring about their welfare.
During the call participants are asked “Are You OK?” If they answer “yes” they may simply hang up and continue with their day. If a concern is expressed, however, the caller would determine the nature of the concern and if some sort of response is appropriate. Unanswered calls or busy signals are called back. If there is still no response, the caller may request that an officer perform a safety check at the location.
“This program is intended for members of our senior community who live alone or may not have someone to check in on them regularly. We want our senior community to know that The City of Alton cares for them and has a team of first responders who will be checking on their welfare weekly once they are registered for this free service”. –Dr. Jonathan B. Flores ACM/Chief of Police.
Seniors or family members may pick up an application at the Alton Police Department located at 509 S. Alton Blvd Alton, Texas 78573 or fill out the online registration form on the City of Alton Webpage https://www.alton-tx.gov/departments/police/r_u_ok_.php
The Texas National Guard deployed 10 M113 armored personnel carriers to the Texas-Mexico border to fight back against record-breaking illegal immigration and transnational criminal activity. Photo: Texas Military Department
Texas Border Business
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 328,000 migrant apprehensions and more than 22,100 criminal arrests, with more than 19,600 felony charges reported. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 353 million lethal doses of fentanyl during this border mission.
Texas has also bused almost 8,400 migrants to our nation’s capital since April, over 4,000 migrants to New York City since August 5, more than 1,300 migrants to Chicago since August 31, and more than 210 migrants to Philadelphia since November 15.
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 Biden’s open border policies.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS FROM OPERATION LONE STAR:
Governor Abbott Touts Groundbreaking Fentanyl Vaccine To Combat Opioid Crisis
On Thursday, Governor Abbott toured the University of Houston fentanyl vaccine lab to highlight the groundbreaking research that has the potential to save millions of innocent lives from fentanyl poisonings and addiction. With President Biden’s open border policies inviting a flood of illegal drugs across the border, Texas continues leading the fight against deadly fentanyl.
“This incredible, groundbreaking new therapy has the potential to revolutionize how we combat fentanyl deaths in our communities and end the afflictions of addiction that burden so many innocent Texans and Americans across the country,” said Governor Abbott.
Texas National Guard Deploys Armored Personnel Carriers To Southern Border
The Texas National Guard deployed 10 M113 armored personnel carriers to the Texas-Mexico border to fight back against record-breaking illegal immigration and transnational criminal activity. The personnel carriers are being trucked to security points along the border to enhance protection amid increasing cartel-driven criminal activity. The lifting of Title 42 later this month could lead to a massive influx of illegal immigrants, allowing criminals to further exploit gaps where federal authorities are inundated with migrant processing.
Between October 1, 2021 and November 8, 2022, Texas National Guard service members experienced more than 260 suspicious or violent events, including gunfire across the border, physical assaults, drone activity, surveillance, threats of violence to the task force, and threats of violence to individuals.
Last month, Governor Abbott ordered DPS and Texas Military Department leadership to use every available strategy and tool to combat the unprecedented border crisis.
DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez joined Fox News to discuss the potential ramifications of ending Title 42 on future border security efforts. With the end of the policy looming later this month, DPS is expecting to see double or even triple the current numbers of illegal crossings and the continued smuggling of drugs across the border.
“With Title 42 in place, that’s really the only policy we have to sustain the situation we’re seeing on the border, but right now that’s hanging by a thread,” said Lt. Olivarez. “We’re going to have to deploy more state resources now to fill in those gaps amid the surge of illegal immigrants we’re expecting. The cartels and the criminals know now that with Title 42 gone, that’s just more money in their pockets because they’re going to take full advantage of the situation, exploit that, and profit off these illegal immigrants.”
Fox News contributor Sara Carter joined Sean Hannity after embedding with DPS in Brooks County and witnessing a human smuggling bust. DPS and local law enforcement have been seeing an increase in human smuggling in the area, with vehicle crashes frequently reported during high-speed pursuits of smugglers.
“If there are illegal immigrants who have made it to this area, they have already bypassed the checkpoint and are trying to make it further into the interior, not just into the state of Texas but out of state,” said Lt. Olivarez. “We have to chase them through ranches, running through trees, brush, and thorns. It’s not an easy task, but it all goes back to what the state is doing and what the federal government is not doing. We’re the ones who are out here trying to make an impact and go after these criminal organizations while the federal government is ignoring the situation on the border.”
DPS Troopers Discover 52 Illegal Immigrants At A Junkyard In Webb County
As part of Operation Lone Star, DPS recovered a commercial vehicle and a Conex cargo container hiding 52 illegal immigrants. On Monday night, special agents from DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division (CID) located a semi-trailer suspected of concealing several illegal immigrants at a junkyard in Webb County. As agents approached the trailer, several illegal immigrants fled and five were apprehended.
During a search of the property, agents located dozens more illegal immigrants hidden inside a cargo container. The semi-trailer had been reported stolen by the Laredo Police Department. The illegal immigrants include 35 males, 10 females, and eight juveniles from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. All were referred to Border Patrol. CID special agents are investigating this case further.
DPS troopers found 18 illegal immigrants inside the cab of a semi-trailer during a commercial motor vehicle inspection on I-35 in LaSalle County. The driver, from Mississippi, was attempting to smuggle the illegal immigrants to San Antonio. He was charged with human smuggling, and all 18 illegal immigrants from Mexico were referred to Border Patrol.
DPS Seizes Over 45 Lbs. Of Cocaine During Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspection
DPS seized more than 45 pounds of cocaine after a trooper conducted a commercial motor vehicle safety inspection in Hidalgo. The trooper stopped a blue Kenworth semi-trailer on U.S. 281 for an inspection when it was determined the driver was operating the vehicle with a canceled commercial driver’s license. Further discrepancies within the vehicle were observed, and a K-9 was requested.
After a positive K-9 alert, 17 tape-wrapped packages weighing 45 pounds were discovered containing a powdery substance verified as cocaine. The 27-year-old driver from Pharr was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and transported to the Hidalgo County Jail. The drugs have an estimated street value of more than half-a-million dollars.
During a traffic stop, DPS troopers discovered three illegal immigrants hidden under blankets in a U-Haul van in Kinney County. The smuggler, from Georgia, was on the way to Austin. The smuggler was charged with human smuggling, and all three illegal immigrants were referred to Border Patrol.
A human smuggler led DPS troopers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit in Hidalgo County. During the pursuit, several illegal immigrants bailed out as the driver kept driving. He was eventually stopped after troopers deployed a tire deflation device. The driver was charged with human smuggling and evading arrest.
“Once Title 42 is gone, that will all change, and the consequences will be dire.” USCBP Image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the United States v. Texas Supreme Court case, which centers on Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ memo directing Border Patrol agents to turn a blind eye to illegal immigration, and the immediate need for solutions ahead of the end of Title 42 in less than three weeks. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.
“The case that I listened to oral arguments in hit very close to home because the style of the case was United States v. Texas, and it centers on a memo issued by the Department of Homeland and Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which he released last fall. In it, he provided specific confirmation – indeed, actually, direction – to our Border Patrol agents that they would no longer have any hard-and-fast rules when it comes to removing illegal entry into the United States, particularly by those who commit serious crimes.”
‘The Secretary just simply doesn’t have the authority to cherry-pick which laws he wants to enforce and which ones he doesn’t.’
‘Unfortunately we’ve seen time and time again, not for days, not for weeks, but for months and even now years, the Biden administration has simply failed to clear this very low bar: enforce the law.’
‘Once Title 42 is gone, that will all change, and the consequences will be dire.’
“It defies all common sense to instruct a law enforcement officer to turn a blind eye when they encounter individuals who came here illegally and committed other crimes just because those crimes aren’t, in the opinion of Secretary Mayorkas, serious enough or because of the age of the individual or how long they have actually resided here in the United States.”
“The state of Texas… is disproportionately affected because we have a 1,200 mile common border with Mexico, and we’re seeing the bulk of this wave of humanity and the drugs coming across the border, and it’s imposed a significant burden on our border communities and on our state. But I believe that the state provided a strong case that the Justices should vacate this dangerous and illegal memo once and for all.”
A Large group of migrants at a US Port of Entry. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
“The Secretary just simply doesn’t have the authority to cherry-pick which laws he wants to enforce and which ones he doesn’t.”
“Unfortunately we’ve seen time and time again, not for days, not for weeks, but for months and even now years, the Biden administration has simply failed to clear this very low bar: enforce the law.”
“Just last month, the D.C. District Court Judge vacated the Center for Disease Control’s Title 42 order, and the Judge granted a five-week stay, which will expire here in less than three weeks.”
A Large group of migrants at a US Port of Entry. USCBP Image for illustration purposes
“We have not heard any plan out of the Biden administration for how they’re going to do the job without that authority because they simply refuse to use any other authorities, like expedited removal, in order to discourage people from illegally entering the country.”
“Once Title 42 is gone, that will all change, and the consequences will be dire.”
“If you think this is bad – and two-thirds of the voters believe we are headed in the wrong direction – just get ready because it’s about to get worse.”
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.
Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead, the senior enlisted advisor for the Chief, National Guard Bureau, visits Texas Guardsmen, November 22-24, 2022, in Harlingen, Texas, to check the pulse of the soldiers and airmen during the Thanksgiving holiday. Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Peña
Texas Border Business
By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Peña Texas Military Department
HARLINGEN, Texas – Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead, the senior enlisted advisor for the Chief, National Guard Bureau, visits Texas Guardsmen, November 22-24, 2022, in Harlingen, Texas, to check the pulse of the soldiers and airmen during the Thanksgiving holiday.
SEA Whitehead serves as the Chief’s principal military advisor on all enlisted matters affecting training, utilization, the health of the force, and enlisted professional development. As the highest enlisted level of National Guard leadership, he provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests.
“The purpose of the visit was to check on our soldiers and airmen working on Operation Lone Star,” said SEA Whitehead. “They’re Guardsmen, and I wanted to make sure that we had an opportunity to speak to them about their thoughts and ideas about the mission, how they were doing, how they felt about how the mission was going and any ideas that I needed to take back to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.”
Operation Lone Star is a state-led mission to respond to increased illegal immigration on the Texas-Mexico border. In May of 2021, Texas issued a disaster declaration covering 48 counties, primarily counties along or near the Texas – Mexico border. Currently, approximately 6,000 service members are deployed in support of Operation Lone Star.
During the visit, SEA Whitehead met with different units and components to get a full picture of the various mission sets of the state active-duty members, which included getting to ride on a Texas State Guard Center Console boat, used by Task Force East, known as the ‘river unit’ for the border mission. This unit uses TXSG flat-bottomed and center console boats in support of the border mission.
“Task Force East is responsible for four zones in the McAllen sector of the border. Our unit is specifically responsible for the river,” said Texas Army National Guard Capt. Mike Jones, commander of the TF East team. “Today, we were showcasing some of the highlights of both the Mexico and U.S. side such as landmarks, key areas the Cartel uses and Border Patrol use, you know, in the whole cat and mouse game of border security.”
Soldiers assigned to the river unit received recognition coins from SEA Whitehead for their outstanding work on the border. They had the opportunity to talk about their experiences on the mission with the highest enlisted leader in the National Guard.
“The Southwest Border Mission is a unique mission to the United States,” said SEA Whitehead. “For our soldiers and airmen doing the mission, this has been talked about a lot, and I think sometimes we forget that we’ve got people down there 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
As part of SEA Whitehead’s priority to seek opportunities for innovation and advancement within the ranks, SEA Whitehead asked service members to provide feedback to take back to the top [Pentagon].
“The visit was so great for my soldiers,” said Capt. Jones. “These guys [and gals] are all highly motivated, to begin with, but having leadership from NGB come down and see what they do on a day-to-day basis is a big deal.”
Some of the unit-level leadership also briefed SEA Whitehead on the morale of the Texas Guardsmen, stating there was an 86 percent volunteer rate for troops wishing to stay on the mission. These extension requests, leaders said, can be attributed to the pay incentives, time off to spend with family and the unique mission set the border mission provides. Through OLS, Texas Guardsmen can work in different units and alongside state partners like the Border Patrol Department of Public Safety, as well as the impact the mission has on the communities.
Reflecting on his visit, SEA Whitehead was incredibly impressed with the service members’ work and their commitment to serving the greater good.
“One of the best things I liked about what I heard was that they have been here long enough to see the difference they have made in what they’ve been doing. So, despite some of the things they’ve heard regarding the negative social media or negative press, they know that there’s been a positive difference in what they have been doing since they’ve been here.”
When asked why he chose to come during a Thanksgiving holiday, SEA Whitehead said he wanted to ensure our soldiers and airmen know military leaders in Washington, D.C., are mindful of their 24/7 commitment.
“When the holidays come around, I don’t know if people have the impression that things are halted because of it or that they are just comforted that we have military members down there on the Texas-Mexico border. Some of our Guardsmen have families that they’re separated from, that’s not just those deployed overseas but those deployed right here in the U.S.,” said SEA Whitehead. “So, it’s important for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, myself, and the rest of the leadership team to go down and tell them ‘Thank you’ for what they’re doing. We appreciate what they’re doing, and we must let them know they’re standing in a gap that’s extremely important to our nation’s security.”
