U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made 118 arrests in a sweeping multi-agency raid on the Colony Ridge development, a sprawling residential area near Houston that has faced allegations of knowingly selling land to illegal immigrants and serving as a hub for cartel activity.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the operation early on February 24, stating:
“Colony Ridge is being targeted today. Texas DPS Troopers & Special Agents are assisting Homeland Security Investigations with an operation in Colony Ridge this morning.”
Abbott emphasized that the raid was aimed at apprehending criminals and illegal immigrants, noting his collaboration with former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan in planning the enforcement action.
ICE Confirms Criminal Arrests
ICE released details on the operation on Tuesday afternoon, revealing that the individuals arrested had a range of serious criminal charges and convictions, including:
Homicide
Child sexual abuse
Criminal sexual conduct
Negligent manslaughter
Weapons offenses
Drug offenses
ICE described Colony Ridge—also known as Terranos Houston—as an area notorious for cartel activity and a high illegal immigrant population.
Colony Ridge Under Scrutiny
The Colony Ridge development has been under the microscope since October 2023, when all 25 Republican members of Texas’ Congressional delegation called on Abbott to investigate the fast-growing community. Reports suggested that the development allowed land purchases without requiring proof of legal residency.
A February 2024 report from the Daily Wire revealed that Colony Ridge’s business model openly catered to buyers without Social Security numbers. Internal emails allegedly stated:
“We will not be able to sell our developments if each of our buyers have a SS#.”
The Texas Attorney General’s Office and the federal government have since sued Colony Ridge, accusing its developers of deceptive practices in lending and marketing.
Recent Drug Bust Raises Concerns
Just weeks before the February 24 raid, authorities in Liberty County arrested three illegal immigrants for hiding 350 pounds of methamphetamine inside the Colony Ridge development. The suspects had already been deported four times before their arrest.
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