Governor Abbott Announces Texas’s Use of Drone Technology on Border

Include drone technology as part of the strategies used by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott under Operation Lone Star to combat the influx of illegal immigrants coming into the state from Mexico.

A recent news release from Abbott’s office highlighted how a drone operator from Operation Lone Star identified two individuals smuggling drugs across the U.S. border with large packages. When Texas National Guard soldiers intervened, the suspects escaped in a vehicle. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers pursued and apprehended one suspect, while the other fled back to Mexico. Authorities seized 24 pounds of narcotics worth nearly $60,000.

Additionally, the Texas National Guard utilized drone technology earlier this week to support law enforcement in apprehending four illegal immigrants who crossed the border, all of whom were charged with criminal trespassing.

The news release stated, “The Texas National Guard continues to collaborate with state and local law enforcement partners to prevent, deter, and thwart transnational criminal activities and illegal border crossings along the Texas-Mexico border.”

Abbott initiated Operation Lone Star in response to the rise in illegal border crossings during the early months of the Biden administration. The DPS has been empowered to enforce federal and state laws to combat criminal activities along the border, including smuggling, human trafficking, and criminal trespassing, working alongside Texas counties in addressing these issues.

Since the inception of Operation Lone Star, over 511,300 illegal immigrants have been apprehended, leading to more than 42,900 criminal arrests, including over 37,900 felony charges. Law enforcement in Texas has seized over 481 million fentanyl doses, enough to cause harm to every individual in the U.S. and Mexico combined.

Moreover, Texas is constructing a border wall along the Mexican border, with Abbott sharing on X: “Concrete is being poured to fortify Texas’ border wall in Maverick County. The Texas wall will enhance border security and combat President [Joe] Biden’s border crisis.”

Furthermore, Texas has relocated numerous illegal immigrants to cities that have proclaimed themselves as sanctuaries for migrants, such as New York (44,500), Chicago (36,000), Denver (18,800), Washington, D.C. (12,500), Philadelphia (3,400), and Los Angeles (1,500).

Newsmax contacted Abbott for additional comments.

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