Operation Laredo Reflection

An example of my experience regarding the critical skill of application is during my time as Incident Commander overseeing the security operations for a high profile federal court trial in Laredo, Texas. The security mission was called “Operation Laredo II”. The development of an operational security plan for a high profile trial at a United States Federal Courthouse positioned geographically less than one hundred and fifty yards from the Mexican border can be a challenge. When that trial entails dealing with one of the most powerful and influential drug cartels on the southern border known as Los Zetas, the challenges become critical. The Mexican drug cartel Los Zetas is comprised of former Mexican military soldiers who were originally hired
The many challenges we faced during the trial kept us alert and ready to intercept any problems. The obstacles that we had to overcome were overwhelming. With the trial being conducted at a U.S. Federal Courthouse in close proximity to a key smuggling corridor of the border, the potential for increased hostilities were ever present. Los Zetas conducted constant surveillance through radio traffic monitoring, physical surveillance and informants already established in the area. It was not uncommon to see members of the cartel known as scouts driving by the courthouse testing the security. The operational plan was to implement the most effective security countermeasure possible by means of layered security also known as rings. This operation plan included essential Intelligence gathering amongst several law enforcement agencies. The law enforcement agencies that would be taking an active role in this operation included FPS, BORTAC, U.S. Marshals Service and local law enforcement to include Laredo and Webb County Police Departments. The first ring of security was enforced by the U.S. Marshals Service and their contracted Court Security Officers (CSO). They secured the courthouse through the use of magnetometers, x-ray machines and additional law enforcement presence at key points within the facility. In case of a
Another factor to consider was the cartels ability to intercept encrypted radio traffic over open airways. This posed a serious problem safeguarding information in reference to law enforcement positioning and travel routes. Radio traffic was minimized using code to describe law enforcement locations or actions during the trial. As Incident Commander, I initiated specific radio codes to be used as descriptors regarding law enforcement movement and activities over open airways. This was a very effective method of safeguarding sensitive information from possible radio traffic monitoring. The Los Zetas also had scouts driving by the courthouse at random times throughout the day, especially during the time the court was in session. In order to curtail this type of activity all FPS patrol vehicles were instructed to immediately contact the command center when surveillance was noted by vehicle or from a distant building. The command post made direct notification to Laredo and Webb County Police Departments. Local law enforcement immediately responded to the last known area reported and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in question or checked the facility that surveillance was being noted. All occupants of the suspicious vehicle were questioned and ran through NCIC for wants or warrants. The information obtained from the occupants was then checked for local gang or cartel affiliation. All field