Texas Acquires Fronton Island to Boost Border Security, Tackles Cartel Activity
The Border Center for Journalists and Bloggers (BCJB) shares a summary of the main news on the border for February 12, 2024.
Texas Land Commissioner Buckingham to discuss state takeover of Fronton Island
Borderreport’s Grace Gates and Monica Madden.- During a press conference in McAllen, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is set to discuss the state's recent acquisition of Fronton Island, a 170-acre area in the Rio Grande. This strategic move aims to enhance border security and address high cartel activity, including the smuggling of narcotics, weapons, and other illicit goods. The Texas Military Department (TMD) and the General Land Office (GLO) collaborated to secure operational control over the island, previously deemed "lawless" due to its dense vegetation facilitating criminal activity. A unit of Texas Rangers and the Texas National Guard raided the island in October last year to end the control of the Gulf Cartel and the Northeastern Cartel, two drug trafficking rival organizations that were operating from this piece of territory. The upcoming press conference will further detail the state's plans for Fronton Island, involving DPS and TMD officials.
Mexican Checkpoints at Border Aim to Deter Migrants, Yet Flow Continues
San Diego Union-Tribune’s Alexandra Mendoza.- New inspection camps established by Mexican immigration agents and armed soldiers near Ejido Jacumé aim to deter unauthorized migration at the San Diego-Mexico border. Despite these efforts and a recent decrease in migrants at specific crossing points, volunteers and experts note that migrant flows remain dynamic, fluctuating by hour and location. The checkpoints, equipped to host federal agents and migrants, are Mexico's latest strategy in cooperation with U.S. efforts to manage border challenges. President Biden and Mexican President López Obrador have committed to countering transnational criminal organizations and illicit trafficking. However, the impact of these new checkpoints on overall migration patterns is still uncertain as migrants continue to find alternative crossing points, highlighting the persistent challenge of border management and the need for comprehensive solutions.
Indiana National Guard to send troops to Texas-Mexico border
Drug "Mega Laboratory" Valued at $700 Million Secured in Sonora
Grupo Reforma. - The Secretary of the Navy (Semar) of Mexico secured the largest synthetic drug laboratory of the six-year period in Rancho Viejo, Sonora, valued at about 700 million dollars. The discovery, made on February 8 but revealed on February 11 by Rafael Ojeda Durán and Governor Alfonso Durazo, prevented the distribution of approximately 1.175 million doses of methamphetamine. This clandestine laboratory, located near Ciudad Obregón, contained 35 tons of synthetic drugs, 5 tons of chemicals, and advanced equipment for the production of narcotics. The seizure operation, the result of collaboration between federal forces, represents a significant blow to organized crime's financial and operational capacity, potentially impacting international markets such as Australia, Canada, China, Spain, Japan, and the United States.
NYC Expands Curfew at Migrant Shelters to Curb Violence
The Associated Press reported that migrants at 24 shelters in New York must follow a curfew. Following recent violent incidents involving migrant shelter residents, New York City is imposing an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew at an additional 20 migrant shelters, bringing the total to 24. This decision, announced by Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, affects approximately 3,600 migrants and aims to enhance safety and capacity management. The move extends initial curfews established last month in response to neighborhood complaints. The curfews, aligning with those at traditional homeless shelters, are part of the city's efforts to manage the influx of over 66,000 asylum seekers while ensuring the well-being of both migrants and local communities. This action comes amid increasing concerns over migrant-related violence, highlighted by a recent shooting in Times Square by a Venezuelan teen and a viral brawl involving police.