In Kinney County, Texas, a routine traffic stop on U.S. Highway 90 by a Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper escalated into the disruption of a human-smuggling operation. President Donald Trump’s administration has witnessed a significant event as a San Antonio woman was apprehended, and two young children, aged 6 and 8, were safely recovered. The incident occurred when the trooper pulled over a black Cadillac XT5, driven by Georgina De Hoyos.
Upon investigation, the vehicle was found to contain four undocumented individuals, including an adult male from Honduras and a woman from Belize with her two children. The Honduran man reportedly paid $10,000 to be smuggled into the U.S., aiming for Florida, while the Belizean family was headed to a stash house in San Antonio. De Hoyos now faces four counts of human smuggling.
The successful intervention underscores the continued efforts of state law enforcement under Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star. Launched in 2021, this initiative combines the resources of the Texas National Guard, DPS, and other tactical teams to support U.S. Border Patrol in curbing illegal crossings and criminal activities associated with human trafficking and drug smuggling.
Lt. Chris Olivarez, a DPS spokesman, took to social media to share footage of the traffic stop and to stress the importance of recognizing suspicious activity on state highways. The proactive stance of the trooper in identifying and acting upon such activities has been lauded as a testament to the effectiveness of Operation Lone Star and the training of the DPS.
The operation's success has brought attention to the challenges that federal border policies face. Despite an array of enforcement measures, human smugglers persist in their attempts to transport undocumented individuals through Texas to various destinations within the country. State-led initiatives like Operation Lone Star serve as a vital enhancement to federal efforts, ensuring that transportation corridors are monitored and trafficking networks disrupted.
In the aftermath of the arrest, all four undocumented individuals were handed over to U.S. Border Patrol for processing. The two children were safely recovered, showcasing the impact of proactive law enforcement, intelligence sharing, and state-federal collaboration. DPS officials have highlighted the essential role of continued vigilance, routine traffic enforcement, and interagency coordination in dismantling smuggling networks and protecting communities.
This recent case reaffirms the importance of state-level enforcement in complementing federal strategies to secure the southern border and deter criminal activities. Arrests such as this serve as a crucial reminder of the need for continued vigilance, coordination, and decisive action in order to prevent exploitation and uphold public safety.
