A joint initiative between the FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in Lubbock, Texas resulted in the takedown last week of a major narcotics trafficking ring there, including 22 arrests.

At least one of the arrests was connected to the Mexican drug cartels, a major accomplishment.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the takedown happened last Wednesday.

BREAKING: Tonight I can report yet another successful operation from our brave field agents and regional partners in our ongoing mission to break the drug Cartels.

Earlier today, our teams executed a takedown and arrested 22 members of a narcotics trafficking ring in Lubbock,…

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 27, 2025

"Successful operation"

"Tonight I can report yet another successful operation from our brave field agents and regional partners in our ongoing mission to break the drug Cartels," his post on X read.

"Earlier today, our teams executed a takedown and arrested 22 members of a narcotics trafficking ring in Lubbock, Texas — one who we believe to be working with the Mexican Cartels," he continued.

He congratulated all the parties on their success and said, "We are just getting started" in making the streets safer for Americans.

The Department of State classified some Mexican drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) in February, making it easier to go after them.

The cartels named were the Cartel de Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), Cartel del Noreste (CDN), La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM), Cartel del Golfo (CDG), and Carteles Unidos (CU).

Taking back America

The operation in Texas was likely part of Operation Take Back America, which involved several federal agencies working in cooperation together.

One of the stated objectives of Take Back America is the "total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (CTOs)."

Getting drug trafficking under control is a major reason why the Trump administration has put a high priority on getting illegal immigration under control, since a large amount of drugs are smuggled illegally across the border from Mexico.

Drug overdoses still kill over 80,000 people each year, largely due to the trafficking across the border.

And with drug treatment funding being cut by DOGE, it's even more imperative to stop the flow into the country.