Federal agencies in Houston have launched a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations operating in Southeast Texas. The move follows the arrest of 1,361 criminal aliens in June, including gang members, murderers, child predators, and a convicted airplane hijacker.
Announced on July 17, the HSTF is a collaboration between ICE Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI Houston Field Office. Officials say the task force will deploy a “whole-of-government” strategy to target a range of crimes tied to foreign criminal networks. These include human trafficking, drug smuggling, money laundering, weapons trafficking, child exploitation, and violent offenses like extortion and kidnapping.
HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz emphasized the growing threat posed by evolving and sophisticated criminal actors. “It’s vital that we work together as a law enforcement community to find transformative ways to confront emerging threats,” said Plantz.
The task force’s formation comes on the heels of sweeping ICE arrests that included 32 child predators, nine murderers, 16 cartel or gang members, and one illegal alien convicted of hijacking a plane. Among the criminal groups represented in the arrests were Sureños 13, Tren de Aragua, MS-13, HERMANOS PISTOLEROS LATINOS, Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), Paisas, Tango Blast, and Southwest Cholos. Some of these, like Tren de Aragua and CJNG, are officially designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department.
FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Douglas Williams stated that the task force brings a new level of collaboration, “a united front unseen before in Houston.” Williams added that law enforcement will now be working closely with intelligence agencies and international partners to eliminate terror-linked criminals embedded in local communities.
The initiative includes partnerships with the DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, IRS Criminal Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, CBP’s Field Operations, and federal prosecutors. It marks one of the broadest efforts yet to crack down on foreign criminal networks operating inside the U.S.
