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Texas DPS Forms International Drug Task Force With State Dept.

David Martin Davies | Texas Public Radio
/
TPR News

The Texas Department of Public Safety has partnered with the U.S. State Department in an effort to tackle drug crimes related to drug cartels operating in other countries.

DPS Director Col. Steve McCraw said this partnership with the will go towards to helping train police from other countries like Mexico. DPS troopers would also be allowed to be deployed in other countries as an exchange while working on specific cases and operations.

“Over the last two decades crime has become increasing transnational, transitory, it’s become discreet and covert and crime has also become intertwined and organized," McCraw said.

William Brownfield, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, said the DPS has unique expertise in border crime -- particularly in drug and gang matters.

"Is it possible that in some Central American countries there are gangs or other criminal organizations that are in the process of moving product or drugs, or even people, north across the border where it might be in the interests of people of the State of Texas," Brownfield said. "If there were the ability to address issues related to gangs down there that eventually operate up here, I’d like to think that there is.” 

The entire project is being funded by the federal government. The State Department has similar agreements with 82 different nations and are hoping to improve police activities in those countries that will eventually benefit the U.S.

Ryan started his radio career in 2002 working for Austin’s News Radio KLBJ-AM as a show producer for the station's organic gardening shows. This slowly evolved into a role as the morning show producer and later as the group’s executive producer.