Customs Arrests 89 in South Texas Crackdown

U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Operation Southern Surge has led to 89 arrests at South Texas ports of entry.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Drug Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a steel-gray checkpoint canopy on a flat horizon with a lone road in deep red and cream, evoking border enforcement in South Texas. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested 89 people in Operation Southern Surge at South Texas ports of entry, seizing more than $365,000 in currency and 3,000 rounds of ammunition. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested 89 subjects in Operation Southern Surge at South Texas ports of entry, seizing more than $365,000 in U.S. currency and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Officials announced the preliminary results at a news conference at Bridge II in Laredo.

Why it matters

The operation targets drug trafficking, criminal organizations, and related illicit activity across South Texas border crossings. Its results give Texas residents and border communities a view of enforcement activity along one of the nation's busiest trade and travel corridors.

Operation Southern Surge has produced 89 arrests and seizures of more than $365,000 in U.S. currency and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition since October 19. The announced figures are preliminary, and the charges, court dates and final case outcomes have not been released.

The players

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that leads Operation Southern Surge and manages security and inspection at the nation's ports of entry.

Drug Enforcement Administration

The federal law enforcement agency that enforces U.S. controlled substances laws and participates in the interagency operation.

Homeland Security Investigations

The investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security that participates in the interagency operation.

The details

The operation is a multi-agency federal initiative involving U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Homeland Security Task Force. Officials are increasing advanced screening technology, lane inspection staffing and canine teams at the ports of entry.

October 19, 2025: Operation Southern Surge began at South Texas ports of entry.
November 2, 2026: Officials announced preliminary arrest and seizure results at a news conference at Bridge II in Laredo.

Legal Context

Operation Southern Surge applies the Homeland Security Task Force's interagency coordination model, which pools federal agencies against drug trafficking at border crossings. Its preliminary tallies of arrests and seizures are the first measures of how that model performs at South Texas ports of entry.

Travelers crossing South Texas ports of entry may face longer inspection times as officials add screening technology, lane staffing and canine teams. Residents in border communities should expect continued enforcement activity as the operation proceeds.

The takeaway

Travelers using South Texas ports of entry should allow extra time for inspections while the operation remains active. Watch for official updates on charges and prosecutions as preliminary figures are finalized.