AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott, on Wednesday, announced that the Texas Department of Public Safety seized over 3.1 million lethal doses of fentanyl, or about 14 pounds, during a single Operation Lone Star traffic stop in Mission. This seizure marks one of the largest single fentanyl seizures by OLS to date.
“Fentanyl is the single greatest drug threat our state and country has ever known, and this record amount of fentanyl seized would have otherwise made its way into communities across Texas and the nation because of President Joe Biden’s open border policies,” said Governor Abbott. “Through Texas’ historic Operation Lone Star mission, a DPS trooper prevented 3.1 million lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to kill every Texan in Austin, Dallas, and El Paso combined—from taking more innocent lives during a single traffic stop. I thank our brave DPS troopers, and all Operation Lone Star mission personnel, for their work to secure our border and keep Texans safe.”
According to the Governor, on April 10, a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a black Cadillac SUV for a traffic violation at the intersection of 43 Street and Gumwood Avenue in Mission and discovered five tape-wrapped bundles containing a white powdery substance. The substance tested positive for fentanyl both in the field and at a DPS crime laboratory. The fentanyl has an estimated street value of around $312,000.
“Because of this single seizure, millions of lethal doses of fentanyl will not make their way into communities across our state, and really our country, and millions of lives are potentially saved,” said DPS Director Steve McCraw. “This seizure clearly shows the important work that is happening along our border through the Operation Lone Star mission, and I want to thank Governor Abbott for his continued leadership in the fight against fentanyl.”
The Governor said Wednesday that the driver, 39-year-old Mario Reyna Cantu, of Mexico, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and taken to the Hidalgo County Jail.
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