New Homeland Security Task Force in South Texas to focus on cartel activity

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — A new regional Homeland Security Task Force in South Texas is focusing on cartel and transnational criminal organizations in this part of the border region.

The FBI in San Antonio and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio field office on Monday announced the establishment of the regional Homeland Security Task Force-South Texas.

The announcement came a day after the new task force on Sunday helped disrupt a suspected Tren de Aragua presence in San Antonio, officials say.

Over 140 people, who are suspected of being in the United States illegally, were arrested by Immigration and Customs and Enforcement. The arrests included foreign nationals from Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico and other South America countries, and was assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

“The Homeland Security Task Force was established as a powerful tool in the fight against transnational organized crime,” FBI San Antonio Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran said. “In close collaboration with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we are dedicated to dismantling the cartels and criminal networks responsible for violent crime, human trafficking, and drug smuggling with the ultimate goal of preserving the safety and security of the communities we serve.”

“By enhancing coordination, HSI and its law enforcement partners will focus on dismantling drug cartels and terrorist organizations to protect communities,” HSI San Antonio Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa said.

The regional task force will focus on cartels, foreign terrorist organizations and transnational gangs. Crimes associated with these entities include: homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion, drug smuggling and money laundering.

Dozens of federal, state and local agencies are participating in the task force, including: