Drone Based Attacks and Combat Forecasted
And, Trafficking Allegations Renewed in the Case of Bastrop Shelter
Hello again friends,
We’ve strayed from original goals to publish nightly— feeling it a poor use of our time and your attention, to focus too closely on day-to-day minutia of carloads of aliens captured here, and carloads of aliens captured there.
But, on the heels of yesterday’s dispatch, a rock-solid source of ours in the Department of Homeland Security alerted us to ongoing concerns about possible cartel drone attacks against US targets— suggesting there have been reports of drone attacks against helicopters.
Given that the Texas Department of Public Safety relies heavily upon helicopters equipped with thermal cameras and other equipment it doesn’t take much to make a leap of logic and guess what helicopters are most likely to be targeted by the cartels in the current climate.
All that said, we cannot find any open source information to support this source’s assertion. To repeat— we have a trusted source that says it’s a real concern, but so far, there’s no readily available indication of any attacks using drones on US soil.
Even so, it is not beyond the realm of possibility— or even likelihood. It wouldn’t even require an explosives laden drone to bring a helicopter down— witness how the FAA tries to restrict the use of private drones in areas where low-altitude helicopter traffic is expected.
This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about cartel drone use in the Dispatch. See our earlier coverage here, following discussion of a Texas Soldier’s sad death on Fort Clark in Kinney County.
One thing highlighted in that edition of the newsletter, was actual cartel video of a drone dropping bombs on a target in the jungle.
Jalisco Cartel, Nueva Generación dropping small bombs from a drone on a target in Michoacán, Mexico. People can be seen running away after the bombs hit the camp. #Mexico“The cartel’s drones may not be be as hi-tech as the US Military’s, but in their availability and disposability, they seem more than deadly enough.”
That’s what we said then, and it still holds true now. The cartels are getting a bargain in their use of almost-retail drones, to assassinate targets and wreak general mayhem in Mexico in ways that the US Government requires multi-million dollar hellfire missile systems to accomplish.
There’s a lot of reasons for that, and it’s complicated, but at the end of the day the mathematics on the financials there are inescapable.
The BBC is hardly a bastion of right-wing alarmism, but an almost year old article there also highlights the use of drones by the cartels in Mexico.
Now— let’s put a pin in this, and refocus for a minute on recent events in Nuevo Laredo and San Antonio.
Nuevo Laredo’s been rocked with violence and strife, ever since the capture of the leader of the Cartel del Noreste, Sunday. In fact, US Government Workers in the border city are still being told by the federal government to keep a low profile because of ongoing risks.
At one point, open combat reigned on the streets as the cartels used burning 18-wheelers to blockade the roads and attacked government buildings. Reuters indicates 22 military installations were targeted by the cartel, along with the US Consulate building in Nuevo Laredo. They were attempting to prevent the transfer of Juan Gerardo Treviño Chavez, also known as El Huevo, to US Authorities.
They were outfoxed by the Mexican Government, who had already transferred El Huevo to Tijuana, and transferred him to the US there— many miles away, in California. We’re told that tonight, El Huevo is in San Antonio, awaiting court proceedings. It’s being called one of the most significant arrests on the border in the last ten years. El Huevo is facing 7 possible life sentences.
Reporter Valerie Gonzalez from the Rio Grande Valley, whose work we’ve highlighted recently, reports that El Huevo was also the leader of some kind of a paramilitary squad of hitmen— called El Tropas del Infierno, or the Troops of Hell.
Colorful and evocative, no? What are the odds that such a group wouldn’t be willing to hurl explosive drones at US targets?
The Cartel Noreste are one of the inheritors of the Zetas cartel— which at one time consisted of military-trained and equipped deserters, who quickly and violently carved out their own territory.
El Huevo is said to have ties to the Zetas founders. A former U.S. Government Official says part of what made El Huevo an effective leader, was his decision to focus their efforts on consolidating their control over Nuevo Laredo, and the exceptionally profitable access to US Markets that it represents as the largest inland port in the US.
As near as any casual observer can tell, it’s only politeness that’s keeping the cartels confining their particular brand of ultra-violence to Mexico. It might be that they don’t want to risk arousing a real U.S. Government response if they were to transgress on U.S. soil— but how long can that hold, as the violence in Mexico continues spiraling to new heights?
It’s rumored and almost a certainty that many Cartel leaders park their family members in homes and neighborhoods on the US side of the river— away from the violence, and have a vested interest in keeping things civil on the U.S. side— finding it convenient and helpful. That’s nice, if you’re John Q. Cartel Leader. But how long before some savage underling decides it’s time for a change, and he has no reason not to fight for it on the U.S. side?
How long can U.S. taxpayers count upon politeness and manners to keep things calm?
And how much longer is anyone supposed to truly believe that everything is just hunky dory along the Rio Grande? Honestly, it would seem as though things are getting a little post-apocalyptic around the margins in some parts of Mexico.
Ironically— searching for an image of a bomb-laden drone brings up this photo:
The drone pictured looks somewhat rough— like something a cartel kit-basher could put together. But, it’s actually the product of a Ukrainian drone company.
Weird.
All this comes amid what seems to be a major transition for Texas Military leadership— documented at the Texas Tribune, and also the Texas Scorecard, with the departure of Major General Tracy Norris and other major figures in the Texas Military establishment.
Hardly anyone in Austin is coming out and saying that it’s because of the ongoing pay and planning controversies related to Texas Military forces being deployed for Operation Lone Star, but let’s all be grown adults here, and realize it is almost certainly so, even as platitudes of “thanks for your service” circulate like the usual flatulence one has come to expect as some politicians and some journalists behave as though it is radioactive to openly criticize military leaders.
When Texas soldiers decide it’s time for that old union label, one should be able to argue that Texas military leaders and their political leadership are due for some criticism.
Also tonight, comes word that employees at US Customs and Border Protection are being ordered to save potentially significant documents and electronic communications related to the recent Covid-19 vaccine mandates, that required them all to get jabbed or face the potential loss of their jobs.
At the time, we suggested that certain “Old-timers” within the organization were all but in a state of revolt against the mandates. Now, we’re being told that at least some of those old-timers are now going forward with lawsuits.
Orders to save documents and electronic communications are commonly issued, as a way of preserving potential evidence in the event of lawsuits and other legal proceedings.
And before we forget the ongoing back and forth about sex trafficking claims at “The Refuge” shelter in Bastrop, TX: Critics are firing back— saying a DPS statement saying there’s no indication of any trafficking at the site is wrong.
Kudos to the Texas Tribune, and reporter Reese Oxner for sticking to their guns, and coming back strong.
Texas officials were kept in the dark about a foster care facility employee who allegedly sold nude pictures of two girls in their care due to the team culture created by a Child Protective Services manager, a top official told state lawmakers Thursday.
‘Team Culture.” We hate the phrase. If anyone out there can think of a more disgusting piece of late 90s and early 2000’s corporate speak that deserves to die like a dog, please keep it to yourselves to prevent having to restrain any violent urges.
Any young person reading this— if you interview for a job somewhere and hear language like “team culture,” “best practices,” or “corporate synergy” run like hell.
Places with healthy work environments, healthy business decision making, and healthy interactions between far-flung divisions don’t rely on garbage platitudes and language. They just execute and go on about the business of being competent. Save yourself the trouble and find a better job.
Getting back to The Refuge, we’re going to be charitable for a moment and suggest that the Texas Rangers, and DPS Director Steven McCraw were perhaps trying to calm things down when downplaying activities at The Refuge— perhaps reasoning that calm heads would make for a better, more thorough investigation.
The CEO of The Refuge, a woman named Brooke Crowder, issued a statement Thursday— saying she welcomes the opportunity to testify before lawmakers. She’s scheduled to address them Monday.
Highly recommend clicking the link to Oxner’s coverage of Thursday’s hearing, up above at the beginning of this section. It’s jaw dropping, some of the implications that can be drawn from the testimony that’s been heard.
“An Anthem for Every Cause.”
That’s how NPR describes “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
A woman named Julia Ward Howe wrote the song during the Civil War— as a pro-union, anti-slavery song. Perhaps it is a tribute to the long-term success of Reconstruction that it has become an anthem so revered that it can be applied to near any cause and find the means to lift spirits and rally support.
NPR notes a fabulous anecdote featuring Johnny Cash in 1969, mistakenly telling viewers of his TV show that it was a song sung by both sides of the Civil War at some point, before the legendary performer correctly asserted that it’s a song that demonstrates how something can belong to all.
It’s been sung by Johnny Cash. Whitney Houston. Even the Soviet Red Army Choir.
Here are the opening lyrics:
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on
Glory, glory Hallelujah
Glory, glory Hallelujah
Glory, glory Hallelujah
His truth is marching on
What enduring poetry. It’s almost so pure and evocative with its high minded language that one can almost overlook just what is being expressed: An aggressive, muscular vision of righteous violence. An inevitable and relentless drumming of countless, tireless feet on the march. “Vengeance is Mine, sayeth the Lord,” but in this case, it would seem to be well-aided by those marching in His truth, even if the full quotation from Romans and Deuteronomy was meant to urge the faithful not to be vengeful.
Let us hope that matters overseas and here at home remain so that the need for such expression stays remote or figurative and perhaps unnecessary.
Let us hope that politeness, or convenience, or the need for sanctuary for Cartel family members continues to prevail along the Rio Grande, and fears and worries about the kind of shattering violence afflicting Nuevo Laredo spreading across the river remain remote.
Let us hope that the relentless drumming of countless feet on the march remains a symbolic thing— for cool heads, and wise thoughts to prevail. For a return to times when mean tweets, DNA on intern dresses, and petty larceny in Congress were the worst possibilities for us to consider, instead of strife in Eastern Europe and strife on the Southern Border.
As always, any opinions and errors expressed in this newsletter are entirely our own, and are put out into the world without any oversight and input from the Kinney County Sheriff’s Office which employs us.
Despite the grim tone of these words and recent days, it remains a good time to be living in South Texas. The weather’s turning warmer. And we don’t have South By Southwest to contend with. Believe it. If you want to avoid the urge to wreak apocalyptic wrath, avoiding Austin during SXSW is a good first step.
Many are enjoying Spring Break, or recovering from Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations— reminding us all to make time for the good things. Easter is just around the corner.
Thank you for reading, and have a great weekend.
We’ll see you again sometime further on down the road.