Two Dozen Arrested, Millions in Cash Seized in Major Drug Trafficking Bust Across Houston Metro Area

A large-scale arrest operation conducted by the DEA’s Galveston Office Task Force on June 16, 2025, resulted in the apprehension of approximately two dozen individuals on charges related to drug trafficking, firearms violations, and money laundering. The operation, which took place in and around the Houston metropolitan area, also led to significant seizures of cash, firearms, and illegal drugs.

Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne reported that nearly $3 million in cash was recovered, along with multiple firearms and a substantial quantity of narcotics.

Sheriff Hawthorne commended the collaborative effort between the DEA and its state and local partners, including Chambers County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) personnel. “This investigation is the result of countless hours of meticulous work and reflects our detectives’ commitment to getting dangerous individuals off the streets,” said Sheriff Hawthorne. “We appreciate their continued dedication and the strong partnerships that make operations like this possible.”

The coordinated effort aims to dismantle drug networks and enhance public safety by removing dangerous individuals and illicit materials from communities.