Texas Governor’s 5-Year Security Plan Aims to Reduce Crime Along Border

 Posted on February 19, 2021 in Criminal Defense

As a state bordering Mexico, cities in Texas can become havens for crime. Not only can Mexican criminals make it over the border and continue committing offenses in the United States, but Texas criminals can also escape into Mexico to avoid facing criminal penalties for their actions. The border has held a dangerous reputation for years and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently released a five-year plan to increase security along the border to keep all Texans safe. Gov. Abbott noted human trafficking and drug cartels as his two primary targets in the Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

Primary Security Goals

The Texas governor released a 93-page report at the end of January that outlines 25 objectives and 123 priority actions that he would like to see accomplished in the next five years. In regards to the state’s overall security, the following four goals stand out:

1. Preventing terrorist attacks and other organized crime.

2. Reducing vulnerability to criminal attacks and natural/technological disasters as well as having mitigating plans in place.

3. Increasing Texas’ response system to disasters and threats.

4. Ensuring rapid, complete community recovery after disasters or attacks.

In addition to these four statewide goals, Gov. Abbott also highlights the security concerns that the Texas/Mexico border presents. “Cross border mass migration,” or undocumented immigrants crossing the border, as well as the infiltration of drug cartels, are commonly cited concerns. Mexican drug cartels are blamed for fueling drugs, human trafficking, and other crimes that impact Texas communities lying along the border. The governor notes that the negative impact of these drug cartels has a widespread impact across the United States. According to the report, “Mexican cartels and affiliated trafficking organizations and gangs exploit the Texas-Mexico border to dominate drug and human trafficking in the border region, and their networks impact public safety throughout the country.”

The state is allocating significant funds to help reduce this border crime, including a bill that requests $57.6 million in state funds for prevention, detection, and victim services associated with human trafficking as part of the state’s 2022-2023 budget. Additionally, funds have been requested to be used toward the installation of more low-cost motion-activated cameras along the border to detect crime and limit the illegal substances entering and exiting the United States and help save human trafficking victims. 

How Does This Impact Texans?

This increased security is meant to protect Texans from falling victim to human trafficking crimes or gaining access to dangerous illegal substances. If these additional safety measures work as anticipated, it will also impact Texans who have gotten involved in these drug cartels from inside the U.S. borders. Facing drug charges can lead to serious criminal penalties, ranging from a $2,000 fine and 180 days in jail to a $100,000 fine and life in prison. Though the minor penalties may seem manageable, a drug charge will also leave an indelible mark on your criminal record. If you have been arrested for drug charges of any kind, it is important to seek out help from a reputable criminal defense lawyer.

Contact a Karnes County Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer

The Texas/Mexico border has been under intense scrutiny for years, with the likelihood of that security increasing even more in the next decade. If you are facing accusations of possession, manufacture, or delivery of drugs in Texas, it is critical that you have a legal professional who can advocate on your behalf. At BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys, we have over 40 years of combined experience in criminal law, and we are prepared to take on your case. Call our accomplished Karnes City drug crimes defense attorney today at 830-769-1010 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources: 

https://www.krqe.com/news/border-report/human-trafficking-and-border-crime-highlighted-in-texas-governors-5-year-security-plan/

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.481.htm