A major police operation named Operation Red Card, designed to safeguard England fans during the upcoming World Cup, has been hailed as a remarkable success. As part of the operation, nearly 300 illegal firearms and significant quantities of drugs have been confiscated in various towns and cities surrounding the venue for England’s initial match in Texas next month. Law enforcement officials disclosed that over 1,300 individuals have been apprehended in preparation for the England versus Croatia game in Dallas on June 18.
Ryan Raybould, the US Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, characterized the apprehended individuals as “some of the most dangerous offenders.” Emphasizing the significance of the operation in relation to the FIFA World Cup and community safety, he lauded the operation’s success leading up to the tournament. He asserted the readiness of law enforcement to ensure public safety and highlighted the commitment of the involved authorities to apprehend offenders.
Expressing a clear warning, Raybould stated, “Those contemplating criminal activities in North Texas should think twice.” With a large influx of Three Lions fans anticipated for the match, the stadium in Arlington is set to host nine games during the tournament, the most among all venues.
Authorities reported the seizure of 800 kilograms of methamphetamine, 50 kilograms of cocaine, 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 280 firearms, and £4 million in cash. Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux commended the effective collaboration between local and federal agencies in combating crime.
Comeaux emphasized the importance of working together to ensure the safety of everyone in Dallas, highlighting the positive partnership with federal agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He credited the joint fugitive operations conducted by the US Marshals Task Force, resulting in numerous arrests related to felony warrants.
Jake Holmes, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, addressed the enforcement activities concerning immigration and drug trafficking investigations. He underscored the interconnected nature of tackling illegal immigration and drug trafficking, pointing out the existence of networks leveraging connections between the US and other countries.
Joseph Rothrock, the FBI special agent in charge, highlighted the utilization of security strategies from previous Super Bowls as a blueprint for World Cup security measures. He acknowledged the unprecedented scale of the upcoming tournament, noting that Dallas will host more matches than any other US city. Rothrock emphasized the unique aspect of this World Cup being hosted across three different countries, distinguishing it from previous editions.