Get our free mobile app

Most of the times when you hear about stories from the Texas/Mexico border, the story is about people who are crossing illegally into the United States. You also hear about caravans of people making their way through Mexico with an aim to get into the United States.

But there's another issue with the crisis along the border, and that's smuggling -- of both humans and drugs. According to a report this weekend from KTSM, Texas authorities have stopped over 16,000 pounds of drugs from getting onto the streets of Texas and throughout the United States. Those drugs include cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.

In October, the Lubbock Police Department issued a warning to the local community about an increase in the number of pills being manufactured and sold illegally in the area that contain fentanyl. Sadly, kids and young adults across the country have died after consuming these pills that are designed to look like pain pills. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, according to LPD.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas authorities have also seized more than $7 million dollars. Since March, more than 165,000 illegal immigrants have been caught crossing into Texas. Members of the Texas National Guard were able to apprehend 84,000 of those caught.

Things are still dangerous along the border. According to KTSM, Texas DPS announced they had been in more than 1,000 vehicle chases. DPS says the tactics being used by the cartels has been driving the uptick. From KTSM:

The uptick, according to DPS, is because of tactics being used by the cartels,
“One thing about Del Rio that makes it unique is that we’re seeing a lot of smugglers or individuals are coming from larger cities — Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, even out of state. They come down to the Rio Grande Valley or more specifically to Del Rio to become human smugglers because a lot has been advertised on social media by the criminal organizations.

While it's encouraging to hear Texas authorities are seizing so many drugs across the state, one figure that isn't known is how many drugs have been successfully smuggled across the Texas border and into the United States. It's a number that has surely grown since the crisis along the border exploded.

10 Things You Learn When You Move to Texas

Here are 10 things you will learn about Texas if you move here from another state.

The 10 Safest Towns in Texas

These are the 10 safest towns in Texas based on violent crime and property crime rates via Neighborhood Scout.

Top 15 Under the Radar Cities in Texas

Texas is booming, and as more people move here, they'll be looking at areas like Austin or Houston to settle down. There are plenty of others places they ought to consider, though.

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, along with data about home sales and public school ratings, Orchard recently ranked and graded the Top 15 Under the Radar Cities in Texas.

These are unexpectedly good places to make a life for yourself and your family in the Lone Star State. Did your hometown make the list?

More From Newstalk 1290