run by the State Agriculture Department
State officials say placing high resolution cameras along the border has been successful in weeding out illegal drugs and stopping illegal immigrants, 1200 WOAI news reports.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples tells 1200 WOAI's Michael Board that what is called 'Operation Drawbridge,' has resulted in the capture of 2,000 illegal immigrants and the seizure of five tons of drugs since January.
"Despite this (Obama) Administration's sound bytes that the border is safer than ever, we know what is taking place," Staples said. "These numbers are real."
Staples has been involved in the border security effort since his office participated in a study last summer indicating the depth to which the Mexican drug cartels have compromised security in south and southwest Texas, sometimes even intimidating ranchers into allowing them to use their land for drug shipment staging areas.
"This provides undeniable photographic proof that private landowners are constantly dealing with the dangers of deadly drug cartels," Staples said.
He says at a time when the southwestern border is losing its attraction as a political issue, it is time to expand 'Operation Drawbridge' and install more cameras and other electronic security measures along the border.
"This has demonstrated that there is a problem, and it has also demonstrated that if you have the will to win, we can defeat the violent drug cartels and we can protect our citizens," Staples said.
