Border Security: Texas Claims More "Cartel Islands" on Rio Grande

State seeks Trump's approval

Texas Rangers Special Operations Group Raises the Texas Flag on Fronton Island (aka "Cartel Island") on the Rio Grande October 2, 2023 (Photo by Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott)

Two years after Texas seized control of a "no man's island" on the Rio Grande that Mexican Cartels used for gunrunning & drug smuggling in Starr County, Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham is taking control of another island and has written President Trump seeking permission to seize a two more islands (one of which is partially controlled by the US Federal Government and Texas) she says the state's Military Department has identified as a "Smugglers Paradise."

Here's a closer look at the three Rio Grande Islands Texas wants to take back from the Mexican Cartels:

Texas has claimed ownership of the "Roma Islands," currently under cartel control in Starr County on the Rio Grande. (Map by Office of Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham)

The two "Roma Islands," covering 12.13 and 20.3 acres, are, according to Dr. Buckingham, "currently being used by cartels for smuggling operations and stash sites for weapons and other illicit activities" and -she says - are state property.

The third island (known both as "Beaver" and "Bowers" Island) consists of about twenty acres - again on the Rio Grande - and is used by Mexican Cartels as a smuggling staging area. Dr. Buckingham says ownership is shared by the US Federal Government and the State Government of Texas.

Dr. Buckingham is requesting permission for Texas to seize control of the island, strip the vegetation the cartels are using for cover (as well as any structures they have built), and string razor-wire barriers along its Mexico-facing banks to deny the cartels access.

Map of Fronton Island (aka "Cartel Island) used as a smuggling base by the Northeast Cartel from Mexico into Starr County, Texas. (Map by Texas General Land Office)

That's what Texas did with the far-larger (170-acre) Fronton Island in Starr County two years ago. That Rio Grande island was a major smuggling base for the Northeast Cartel (CDN) for many years - until Texas took control of it on October 2, 2023.

In the days leading up to the Texas Rangers landing on the island (and literally planting the Texas flag to assert control over what had, for years, been considered a "no man's land" on the Rio Grande), Texas and the US Federal Government documented illegal cartel activity there.

Image of armed Cartel gunmen photographed by Texas DPS surveillance camera on Fronton Island on August 5, 2022. (Image from Texas Department of Public Safety Surveillance Camera)

Surveillance cameras installed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) captured images of armed cartel smugglers moving through the cover of thick carizzo cane on the island.

Rifle tossed into the Rio Grande off Fronton Island by a Cartel Gunrunner fleeing pursuing Border Patrol officers - August, 2023). (U.S. Border Patrol photo)

The Border Patrol photographed rifles cartel gunmen threw into the Rio Grande off Fronton Island as they fled into Mexico from US Agents pursuing them from the Texas side of the river.

Texas Military Forces and State Police tactical drill on the Rio Grande before seizing control of Fronton Island aka "Cartel Island." (Texas Military Department photo)

Texas Military Forces, along with its state police, took control of Fronton Island in what amounted to a carefully planned and well-executed military invasion. Despite the cartels' presence there for years, Texas took it back from them without firing a shot.

Heavy equipment clears brush on Fronton Island as part of State of Texas "Operation Flat Top." (Texas Dept. of Public Safety / Texas Military Dept. photo)

Next came "Operation Flat Top" as Texas quickly moved in heavy equipment to strip the island of heavy vegetation the Mexican cartels relied upon for cover for their illegal activities.

This is what the former "Cartel Island" looks like now. Texas stripped it of trees and brush that provided cover for cartel operations. (Photo by Office of Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham)

That's the future awaiting the two state-owned "Roma Islands" - and, if President Trump agrees to Texas' request for "Bowers" (also known as "Beaver") islands on the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas.

"Every day, Texas Military Department soldiers and law enforcement risk their lives at the border to protect Texas citizens. Clearing vegetation and criminal operations on these cartel-ridden border islands will help safeguard the men and women who patrol our border, allowing them to continue defending Texas families and communities. I stand ready and unwavering in my commitment to carry out this next critical step in (my) mission to help secure Texas’ southern border." - Texas Land Commissioner Dr.Dawn Buckingham

Should President Trump allow Texas to seize control of a jointly-owned "Cartel Island"?

Share your opinion in the comments to this article.

Abrazos,

Jack Beavers

Jack Beavers - US Border News