SHERIFF, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, OTHERS
REVEAL DRUG TRAFFICKING INTERDICTION OPERATIONS

HOUSTON – Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia, District Attorney Patricia Lykos and state and federal law enforcement partners today revealed that 100 arrests were made last week in a two-day crackdown on drug trafficking along two local highways.

The crime-fighting leaders said that similar operations involving multiple agencies will continue in an effort to permanently reduce the Houston area’s unwelcome role in the smuggling of drugs -- as well as guns, cash and vehicles.

Sheriff’s deputies and officers from the other agencies pulled over more than 900 vehicles on U.S. 90 and Interstate 10 between Beltway 8 East and the Harris County line for alleged traffic violations, leading to the arrests as well as the confiscation of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, prescription drugs and weapons.

“It’s important to remind those in the trafficking business that we are in the trafficking disruption business,” the sheriff said.

“This is just the beginning,” Lykos said. “The message is ‘Don’t mess with Harris County.’ “

Capt. Derek Rodriguez of the Texas Department of Public Safety said the operation focused on highways where smugglers can easily blend in with other traffic.

“Not all motorists are crooks, but all crooks are motorists,’’ he said.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Customs and Border Protection also joined the operation, which was initiated by the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Garcia saluted K9s4COPs, which donated to the Sheriff’s Office the specially trained dogs that were used to check of illegal drugs in more than 100 vehicles last week.

“This operation is going to continue, but we need information from the public,” the sheriff said.

Anyone with crime tips, suspicions or related information can contact the Sheriff’s Office anonymously via the iWatchHarrisCounty smart phone application that can be downloaded at iWatchHarrisCounty.com. Or call 713-221-6000.