Cartel Smuggling Routes & Border Security: Exclusive CBP Operations

Air and Ground Operations in El Paso Sector

• 🚁 Ali Bradley reports from the El Paso sector, showcasing how Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations use aerial surveillance to counter cartel activity.
• 🎯 The focus is on previously exploited areas that are now seeing reduced activity due to a high-visibility, defensive posture by law enforcement.
• 🤝 CBP utilizes force multipliers, including inter-agency cooperation, ground law enforcement, and advanced technology, to achieve operational control.

Cartel Tactics and Countermeasures

• 🚗 Cartels are increasingly using short-term rentals like Airbnb for privacy in dropping off and transporting illegal aliens.
• 🏠 In the El Paso sector, CBP reported 281 stash houses last year and 60 in the first four months of the current fiscal year.
• 🚨 Community vigilance is crucial, with citizens reporting suspicious activity such as excessive traffic, unusual trash, or covered windows, which aids in apprehensions.
• 📞 CBP agents receive reports from citizens about illegal aliens crossing properties and hiding, providing valuable information for law enforcement.

Border Security Policy and Enforcement

• ✈️ CBP agents acknowledge the threat of violence from cartels, including weaponized drones and IEDs, but maintain a constant presence and do not let their guard down.
• ⚠️ While agents can identify potential threats from the air, direct action against cartel members in Mexico is not possible unless they fire upon CBP assets.
• 🚫 The Warz cartel and La Linea were not designated as terrorist organizations, a point of concern and frustration for some law enforcement.
• 📈 CBP emphasizes that while numbers may be down, they maintain a proactive stance, anticipating potential resurgences in cartel activity.

Technology and Agent Support

• 📱 CBP agents utilize ACH phones to view partner locations and respond effectively and safely to illegal entries.
• ⏱️ Technology allows for rapid and safer responses, as demonstrated by a quick apprehension guided by camera operators.
• 🤝 Collaboration with federal, local, state agencies, and the government of Mexico is vital for dismantling smuggling organizations.

Shifting Border Security Strategies

• 🛡️ Under the Trump administration, there's an emphasis on infrastructure, technology, and Department of Defense support, leading to increased presence and deterrence.
• ⚖️ A shift away from **