By David Martin Davies, Texas Public Radio News
SAN ANTONIO – Texas state law enforcement is beefing up its efforts to fight Mexican drug cartels away from the border and in the state’s larger cities. The cartels are using big cities such as Dallas-Fort Worth as hubs for cartel activity.
Mexican drug cartels are expanding their reach all across Texas, and using their networks to move illegal drugs and people across the nation, and shipments of cash and weapons back into Mexico. The Texas Department of Public Safety is also moving to counter the cartels, that’s according to Tom Vinger, DPS spokesperson:
TOM VINGER: “The cartels aren’t just a border problem any longer, they are a problem for all of Texas, specifically the major cities, and really remain a constant danger not only in Texas, but beyond…”
The DPS has labeled the cartels as the most significant organized crime threat to Texas. Six of the eight cartels currently have command and control networks operating in the state. Vinger says the cartels are also cementing ties with established prison gangs in Texas, which increases the reach of their criminal activities. The DPS estimates that the Lone Star State has more than 100,000 gang members.
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