Confirmed Gulf Cartel Member Arrested After High-Speed Pursuit in Starr County

WESLACO, Texas — A confirmed Gulf Cartel member was arrested this week in Starr County following a high-speed pursuit tied to a human smuggling investigation conducted under Operation Lone Star, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

On Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, just after 4:30 p.m., a DPS trooper attempted to stop a silver Chevy Blazer for a traffic violation along U.S. Highway 83 in Rio Grande City. Authorities said the driver refused to stop, prompting a pursuit.

The vehicle eventually came to a halt near a residence, where the driver and three passengers fled on foot toward the rear of the property. Troopers quickly apprehended all four individuals.

The driver was identified as Juan Gonzalez, 24, of Rio Grande City, who was arrested and charged with three counts of smuggling of persons and evading arrest.

The three passengers were identified as illegal immigrants from El Salvador and Mexico and were referred to the United States Border Patrol for immigration processing.

During the investigation, DPS Criminal Investigations Division agents, working alongside Border Patrol, confirmed Gonzalez is a member of the Gulf Cartel with operational ties to cartel activity based in Miguel Alemán, Mexico.

Federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas have filed federal charges, and Gonzalez has since been transferred into federal custody.