A group of alleged armed members affiliated with a Mexican drug cartel was apprehended on the Texas side of the Southern Border this week. The Texas Department of Public Safety, National Guard, and Border Patrol collaborated in the arrest of five individuals believed to be associated with the Cartel Del Noreste in Fronton, Texas.
According to reports from Fox News, the arrests were made on Thursday. Disturbingly, among the detained individuals were several juveniles. Authorities revealed that two men were armed with rifles, and multiple suspects were found wearing tactical gear.
The influence of Mexican drug cartels is not confined to the border region alone. Sheriff Kieran Donahue of Canyon County, Idaho, acknowledged the significant presence of cartel activity in his state, particularly in Boise. Speaking to KABB-TV, he explained that Hispanic gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs play a role in the narcotics trade on behalf of the cartels, leading to an increase in violence. Sheriff Donahue highlighted the dominance of the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion in Idaho.
I’m told the group of 5 suspected CDN cartel members also had two pretty terrified looking juveniles with them who were later found in the brush after the group was arrested.
Photo: @TxDPS pic.twitter.com/G0N5mKTy45— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 2, 2023
These revelations come as no surprise to Richard Sanchez, a special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) based in the Rio Grande Valley. Sanchez emphasized that the Sinaloa Cartel’s reach extends globally, with a presence in every state of the United States and identified in 47 countries worldwide. Their pervasive influence and propensity for violence enable them to maximize profits using any means necessary.
Idaho is not the sole state far from the border experiencing evidence of cartel activity. The arrest of alleged cartel members in Texas further underscores the expansive reach of these criminal organizations. Law enforcement agencies across the country are increasingly involved in combating the illicit operations of Mexican drug cartels, recognizing the need for collective efforts to address this pervasive issue.
As the fight against drug cartels continues, authorities are striving to stay one step ahead and enhance cooperation between federal, state, and local agencies. The recent arrests in Texas serve as a reminder that the battle against organized crime requires ongoing vigilance and concerted efforts to disrupt their operations at every level.