Texas border crossings drop sharply as officials warn drug smuggling is surging on highways, with troopers reporting major cartel-linked busts statewide

Texas – A sharp decline in migrant crossings at the Texas border is being paired with a very different reality deeper inside the state. While fewer people are being apprehended at the southern edge, officials now say the real pressure point has shifted — and it is unfolding across highways, not border fences.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, troopers are currently making between 80 and 100 arrests per week for individuals crossing between ports of entry. That translates to roughly 300 to 400 per month, a steep drop compared to previous years.

But officials stress that this decline does not mean enforcement has eased. Instead, the focus has moved.

From border crossings to highway crackdowns

Rather than concentrating only on the border line, DPS leaders say their efforts are now targeting what happens after entry. The shift is clear: troopers are increasingly stopping vehicles suspected of being tied to cartel smuggling networks.

These operations are producing results. Authorities describe some of the drug seizures happening on Texas highways as among the largest seen in recent memory. The message from officials is simple — while fewer migrants are being caught crossing, illegal narcotics are still flowing, and traffickers are adapting.

Troopers are now carrying out traffic stops aimed directly at disrupting these networks. Each stop has the potential to uncover large quantities of drugs, leading to arrests that stretch far beyond simple border enforcement.

Technology enters the equation

At the same time, a different kind of tool is entering the picture — one that has already sparked concern and confusion. A counter-drone laser system, once responsible for shutting down airspace over El Paso, is now being formally integrated under a new agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration and the Pentagon.

The system, known as the LOCUST Laser Weapon System, is designed to disable drones using concentrated energy beams. Officials say recent evaluations found that the technology includes safeguards that “do not pose undue risk to passenger aircraft.”

That reassurance comes after a series of incidents raised alarms. In one case, a laser operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection was used to shoot down what turned out to be a Mylar balloon. In another, near Fort Hancock, soldiers mistakenly targeted a CBP drone.

These events highlighted the risks of using such advanced tools without tight coordination. Officials now say better communication between agencies is essential as the technology becomes more common.

Experts weigh in on evolving tools

Victor Manjarrez sees potential in the system, but also recognizes the challenges ahead.

“The beauty of a laser it’s very focused, very efficient and very accurate,” he said. “It’s also the least riskiest to the environment and the public.”

Still, he pointed out that technology is evolving faster than policy. That gap, he suggested, is something agencies are now trying to close.

“The current technology will not be the same a year from now,” he said. “I’m hoping the policy and coordination between agencies advances as quickly.”

His comments reflect a broader concern — that as tools become more advanced, the rules governing them must keep pace.

Border wall nears completion

While enforcement strategies evolve, one of Texas’ most visible border projects is approaching its end. The state-funded border wall, which has been under construction since 2021, is now in its final phase.

The Texas Facilities Commission reports that more than 82 miles of wall have been completed, backed by roughly $3 billion in funding.

Executive Director Will McKerall described the project as nearly finished.

“We are right at the end of this journey, and it continues to shut down in an extremely organized fashion,” he said.

He confirmed that the final panel has already been placed. “We’ve placed the last panel we are now at 82.2 miles of wall placed,” he added.

Only small pieces of work remain. “We’re only working at really two sites right now finishing up some bridge work,” McKerall said. “By the time this commission meets next, I fully expect that we will be saying mission accomplished.”

Questions remain despite progress

Despite the milestone, the project has not been without criticism. Investigations have raised concerns about whether fragmented sections of the wall provide meaningful security benefits. Critics argue that gaps and inconsistent placement may limit its effectiveness.

State leaders, however, suggest that the strategy is shifting rather than ending. With increased federal funding now flowing into border infrastructure, Texas appears to be stepping back from large-scale wall expansion.

Instead, the focus is moving toward a broader “smart wall” concept — a system that blends physical barriers with surveillance tools, water barriers, and improved road access for enforcement teams.

A changing landscape

Taken together, these developments paint a picture of a border system in transition. Fewer crossings at the line itself, more action on highways, new technology entering the field, and a major construction project nearing completion.

The situation is no longer defined by a single metric. It is evolving — shifting from visible crossings to hidden routes, from fences to data, from static barriers to mobile enforcement.

For Texas officials, the message is clear: the challenge has not disappeared. It has simply changed shape.