Texas Land Commissioner Hunts Cartel Tunnels and Trafficking Routes

Cartel Tunnel Detection Efforts

• 💡 The Texas General Land Office (GLO) is actively surveying for cartel tunnels, particularly in areas near I-10 that are prime for exploitation.
• 🔍 Border Patrol uses a tire drag method to detect recent pedestrian traffic, helping to identify "gotaways" and track movements.
• 🗺️ The GLO communicates with its leases to look for signs of tunnel activity, such as rearranged debris or hidden entry points in structures.

On-the-Ground Surveillance and Partnership

• 🚶‍♀️ GLO employees conduct surveillance on their properties both on foot and by drone, training staff to identify suspicious activity.
• 🤝 The GLO partners with Border Patrol, offering property access for stakeouts and providing assistance in combating drug and human trafficking.
• 🏠 Dilapidated structures on GLO properties can serve as shelter points for individuals to rest, hydrate, or change clothes, blending in from military-style gear to street clothes.

Evidence of Cartel Activity

• 💥 A dilapidated structure shows extensive bullet holes, indicating target practice or potential conflicts between rival cartels.
• 🔫 The size of the bullets suggests powerful rifles, with some penetrating concrete, and the water tower is also heavily riddled with shots.
• ♻️ Evidence of past activity includes broken glass, remnants of fires, discarded clothing, water jugs, and backpacks, suggesting prolonged use of these areas.

Cartel Operations and Territory

• ⛰️ While easier routes exist in valleys, this rugged terrain is also utilized, with visible signs like rust around holes indicating long-term use.
• 🗺️ Cartels operate within specific territories, limiting their ability to move freely and potentially explaining why they continue to use areas under surveillance.
• ⚠️ The terrain is unforgiving, with scarce water and extreme heat, making it dangerous for individuals to get lost, highlighting the strategic importance of these pathways.

GLO's Mission and Priorities

• 🛡️ The Texas Land Commissioner emphasizes the paramount responsibility of government to ensure the safety and economic prosperity of communities and children.
• 🚫 The GLO aims to prevent the spread of unsafe conditions seen in other countries, stating they will "never rest until Texas is safe."
• 🚀 While combating border tunnels is a top priority, the GLO also manages other significant projects like the Alamo, energy independence, and habitat restoration.