NEW: The TxDPS Brush Team tracked & arrested 7 illegal immigrants from Mexico on a private ranch in Maverick County.

The 7 attempted to evade capture but were quickly taken into custody by Troopers preventing potential gotaways. They will be charged & jailed for criminal trespass.

#OperationLoneStar #BrushTeam

Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez)

DRUG SEIZURE: TxDPS Troopers seized over 175 lbs. of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on a Dodge Ram pickup along IH-35 in Webb County. While searching the vehicle, a DPS Trooper discovered a false compartment in the bed of the truck containing 57 cellophane wrapped bundles of methamphetamine. The driver, from Mexico, was arrested and charged with felony possession of a controlled substance. The drugs seized in this traffic stop have an estimated street value of $5,712,000. #OperationLoneStar

Chris Olivarez

Texas remains ready for any potential surge at the border by reinforcing vulnerable areas along the border with Tx DPS & TX Military forces, resulting in deterrence & prevention by reducing illegal border crossings.

Those efforts have led to an 86% decrease in unlawful border crossings between the ports of entry.

#OperationLoneStar

Lt. Chris Olivarez

DPS’ new Border Mounted Patrol Unit, which graduated its inaugural class on Nov. 22, made its first apprehension in Maverick County this week.

Working with a DPS K-9, the Border Mounted Patrol Unit apprehended two illegal immigrants after a nearly 11-mile track. The two illegal immigrants, from Mexico, were attempting to evade capture by traversing through multiple ranches.

#OperationLoneStar

Texas DPS

As the number of unlawful border crossings remains low compared to previous years, criminal smugglers continue to operate along the border by smuggling illegal immigrants who don’t want to be caught further into the interior.

11/28: TxDPS Troopers disrupted a human smuggling attempt in Starr County RGV, resulting in the apprehension of 18 illegal immigrants & the driver, Felipe Montez, Rio Grande City, was arrested & charged with evading & smuggling of persons. #OperationLoneStar

Chris Olivarez

TX Troopers Arrest Deported Felon Gang Member on Private Ranch

12/9: TxDPS Troopers arrested two illegal immigrants from Mexico who were trespassing on a private ranch in Kinney County. The two attempted to evade troopers but were quickly caught.

Nery Flores Flores (photo blue jacket/tattoos), of Mexico, a confirmed Mexican Mafia gang member, was charged with criminal trespass & evading arrest. Flores is a deported aggravated felon and wanted on an immigration violation. He served 16 years in prison for aggravated assault w/ deadly weapon & deported to Mexico in 2020.

Usvaldo Castaneda Loma (photo black jacket) is charged with criminal trespass & evading arrest. #OperationLoneStar

Chris Olivarez

South Texas Tracking K9 Recap:
11/27/24 - 12/6/24

TxDPS K9s & their handlers are vital to public safety & their hard work positively impacts the communities they serve.

This week's recap video highlights K9’s Vendi, Fibi, & Bona, who tracked down & apprehended fleeing suspects. K9 Bona tracked nearly 11 miles, apprehending two illegal immigrants on a private ranch. #OperationLoneStar #Tracking #K9

Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez)

The Terrell County Sheriff’s Office #OperationLoneStar Deputy assisted Border Patrol Agents from the Sanderson Station apprehended three illegal aliens from Querétaro, Mexico last night.

We’ve seen an uptick of activity and have more groups are staging south along the river.

Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland

#OperationLoneStar Weekly Recap:
12/7 - 12/13

This week, @TxDPS Troopers arrested an illegal immigrant - Mexican Mafia gang member & deported felon for trespassing on a private ranch. DPS Brush Teams arrested criminal smugglers guiding illegal immigrants across the Rio Grande. Troopers conducted Mass Migration Response exercises.

Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez)

#OperationLoneStar Two-Week Recap: 12/13/24 - 1/3/25

In the last two weeks, @TxDPS Troopers, K9s, Mounted Patrol, & Special Agents worked diligently to ensure public safety by arresting human smugglers, tracking down gotaways, & identifying TdA transnational gang members.

Chris Olivarez

1/31/25: TxDPS Troopers & USBP Agents working a joint anti-smuggling operation in the RGV arrested a smuggling guide from Mexico after troopers & agents found him & one illegal immigrant from El Salvador hiding in the brush after crossing the Rio Grande.

The smuggling guide, an illegal immigrant from Mexico & a confirmed Paisa gang member was arrested & charged with smuggling & unlawful entry.

Great work by troopers & agents! This joint operation is preventing gotaways from making it further into the interior. #OperationLoneStar

Lt. Chris Olivarez

2/14/25: The TxDPS Brush Team in the RGV, as part of an anti-smuggling operation with USBP, apprehended 4 illegal immigrants from Guatemala & Mexico attempting to avoid capture after illegally crossing the Rio Grande. The 4 were turned over to Border Patrol for federal prosecution. #OperationLoneStar

Lt. Chris Olivarez

NEW: TX DPS Border Mounted Patrol in Action, Capturing Two Illegal aliens.

The TxDPS Border Mounted Patrol Unit, alongside the U.S. Border Patrol Horse Unit, responded to a camera activation on a private ranch in Webb Co.

DPS Troopers and USBP Agents followed shoe tracks for two miles, leading to the apprehension of two illegal immigrants hiding in the brush. CBP AMO also provided aerial assistance in the apprehension. Both illegal immigrants, from Mexico, were referred to Border Patrol. #OperationLoneStar

Lt. Chris Olivarez

4/14/25: A smuggler in a red Dodge Ram led TxDPS Troopers on a high-speed vehicle pursuit on IH-35 in Webb County.

During the pursuit, the smuggler, Alexander Velma, from Laredo, Texas, crashed into another vehicle.

Troopers found one illegal immigrant in the bed of Velma’s truck. Troopers charged Velma with smuggling of persons with a likelihood of serious bodily injury or death and failure to stop and render aid.

Troopers referred one illegal immigrant to the US Border Patrol. #OperationLoneStar

Lt. Chris Olivarez

MUST WATCH: TxDPS K-9 & Mounted Patrol Teams continue working in lockstep with our partners at U.S. Border Patrol & CBPAMO to track & apprehend illegal immigrants trespassing on private ranches. This unified approach to border security is vital to Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.

We are committed to securing our borders, protecting private property, & keeping Texas communities safe. The mission continues, & Texas remains steadfast in its determination to bolster border security and defend our state's sovereignty. #OperationLoneStar

Lt. Chris Olivarez

OPERATION LONE STAR BI-WEEKLY RECAP 4/13 - 4/26:

The brave men and women of TxDPS continue to lead the way in securing our border and protecting Texas through Operation Lone Star. Our bi-weekly recap highlights their unwavering commitment to the safety and security of our state and nation—The mission continues. #OperationLoneStar

Lt. Chris Olivarez

WATCH: High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Arrest in Webb County | 4-23-25

A human smuggler from Laredo led TxDPS Troopers on a high-speed chase through Webb County before bailing out alongside six illegal immigrants. Troopers pursued on foot, and thanks to the quick action of a private citizen who assisted in the chase, the driver—identified as Angel Munoz—was apprehended.

Munoz now faces six counts of human smuggling and evading arrest. The six illegal immigrants from Mexico were referred to U.S. Border Patrol.

This incident highlights the unwavering determination of our DPS Troopers and the vital role our communities play in supporting #OperationLoneStar. Together, we continue the mission to stop criminal smuggling operations and secure our border.

The mission continues.

Lt. Chris Olivarez

NEW: Earlier today in Laredo, TxDPS Troopers arrested a smuggler after a high-speed chase involving a white Dodge Charger.

Dashcam shows multiple illegal immigrants fleeing the vehicle—Troopers gave chase and quickly apprehended all 7, along with the driver.

The driver now faces charges for Smuggling of Persons and Evading Arrest. The 7 illegal aliens were referred to USBP.

This is part of #OperationLoneStar and the ongoing commitment by our Troopers to disrupt human smuggling and apprehend those attempting to evade capture.

Lt. Chris Olivarez

CAPTURED: Honduran Man Wanted for Attempted Murder

Thanks to a TxDPS Trooper, our streets are safer and a criminal illegal immigrant wanted out of Colorado for various violent offenses — including attempted murder — is now back in custody.

Juan Carlos Rivera Garcia, 42, of Honduras, was arrested during an #OperationLoneStar traffic stop and booked into the Maverick Co. Jail last Thursday. He was wanted not only for attempted murder, but also domestic assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon and child abuse.

Texas DPS

WATCH: A smuggler in a Ford Mustang led TxDPS Troopers on a high-speed chase on I-69 in Cameron County, RGV.

A PIT maneuver ended the pursuit. The driver, Jesus Yair Hernandez Rojas—an illegal immigrant from Mexico—fled on foot but was no match for our troopers and was quickly arrested. He’s charged with 4 counts of smuggling of persons & evading arrest.

Passenger Eviel De Jesus Zamudio—also an illegal immigrant from Mexico & the smuggling guide—was arrested & charged with 3 counts of smuggling of persons.

3 illegal immigrants were found inside the vehicle & referred to U.S. Border Patrol.

This is another example of TxDPS’s commitment under #OperationLoneStar to stop dangerous smugglers and protect our communities. The mission continues.

Lt. Chris Olivarez