El Mencho’s Cartel Island Just Got Raided By Texas Rangers

Summary

The video details a daring operation conducted by Texas forces on October 9, 2023, to reclaim Fronton Island, also known as 'Cartel Island.' This strategic location on the US-Mexico border had been controlled by violent cartels for years due to legal loopholes. The Texas government, under Governor Greg Abbott, launched a high-risk mission to take back the island, marking a new phase in the fight against cartels and illegal activity at the border. Despite the initial success, the battle against cartel influence remains an ongoing challenge for law enforcement and border security.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ Fronton Island, located between the US and Mexico, became a strategic point for cartels due to its unclear ownership and international boundary disputes.
• 🔫 The Gulf Cartel and Cartel Del Noreste used the island for smuggling drugs, weapons, and people, turning it into a lawless haven.
• 🛑 In 1976, the US claimed Fronton Island under the Boundary Treaty of 1970, but by then, the cartels had already established their presence.
• 🚨 The situation escalated in recent years with cartels becoming bolder, engaging in open warfare with law enforcement and marking territory with their symbols.
• 🏔️ The island's dense foliage and strategic location made it an ideal spot for cartel operations, including lookout points and storage for illegal goods.
• 🛡️ Operation Lone Star was launched by Texas to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, involving thousands of National Guard soldiers and multiple state agencies.
• 🔍 In October 2023, Texas Rangers, based on intelligence, launched a raid to take control of Fronton Island from the cartels.
• ⚔️ The raid was risky but aimed to reclaim the island and prevent it from being a safe haven for cartel activities.
• 🏝️ Post-raid, the Texas government had to fortify and secure the island, clearing dense vegetation to prevent cartels from reclaiming it.
• 🔄 Despite the success of the raid, the cartels did not give up easily, and the fight continued with surveillance showing cartel members near the island.
• 🌐 The raid on Fronton Island was part of a broader strategy to combat cartel influence along the US-Mexico border, highlighting the complexity of the border crisis.

Q & A

Why did Texas troops carry out the operation on Fronton Island in October 2023?

The operation was launched under Governor Greg Abbott's orders to retake Fronton Island from the control of drug cartels. The island had become a stronghold for cartels, and the goal was to reclaim it and hold it against any cartel forces.

What is the significance of Fronton Island in the context of the drug war?

Fronton Island is strategically located on the US-Mexico border and has been used by cartels as a key point for smuggling drugs, weapons, and people. Its unclear ownership status between the US and Mexico allowed the cartels to exploit it as a safe haven for years.

Why is Fronton Island referred to as 'Cartel Island'?

Fronton Island earned the nickname 'Cartel Island' because two rival cartels, the Gulf Cartel and the Cartel Del Noreste, used it as a smuggling base and frequently fought over its control due to its strategic location and the valuable opportunities it provided for illicit activities.

What were the challenges Texas troops faced during the operation?

The challenges included potential shootouts with cartel members, navigating dense vegetation, and avoiding international incidents by not accidentally engaging Mexican soldiers. There was also the threat of environmental hazards, including aggressive Africanized bees.

What was the outcome of the Texas Rangers' raid on Fronton Island?

The raid was successful, as Texas Rangers reclaimed the island without casualties. They secured cartel structures, cleared vegetation, and planted the Texas flag. However, it was just the first step in a long-term effort to maintain control and prevent the cartels from reclaiming the island.

What strategic measures were taken after the initial raid to maintain control of Fronton Island?

After the raid, Texas authorities began clearing dense vegetation to improve visibility, laid down over a mile of razor wire, and established regular patrols. This was done to prevent the cartels from using the island again for smuggling or as a base of operations.

Why has Fronton Island been a long-standing issue for both the US and Mexico?

The legal ownership of Fronton Island has been unclear due to boundary disputes between the US and Mexico, making it a no-man's-land for years. This allowed the cartels to exploit the island, as both governments avoided it due to the murky legal situation.

What role did technology play in the raid on Fronton Island?

Drones and surveillance technology were used extensively during the raid to scout the island, locate cartel members, and identify potential threats or traps. These tools provided real-time intelligence that helped Texas troops execute the operation successfully.

How have the cartels responded since the raid on Fronton Island?

Despite the success of the initial raid, cartel members have been seen patrolling the border area near the island. While the island is under control, the cartels have not given up and continue their operations in other areas along the border.

What broader implications does the raid on Fronton Island have for the US-Mexico border crisis?

The raid highlights the complexity of the border crisis, which involves not only drug trafficking but also human trafficking, illegal immigration, and gun smuggling. It underscores the challenges of securing the border and the long-term efforts needed to combat cartel influence in the region.