Boise, ID - Governor Brad Little announced today the return of two teams of Idaho State Police (ISP) troopers deployed in April to support the State of Texas’s efforts to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Governor Little announced the three-week mission during his State of the State and Budget Address in January, with a focus on human trafficking.

The 10 troopers built valuable relationships and enhanced their knowledge on how to curb human trafficking, the illicit drug trade, and other illegal activities facilitated by the lack of resources at the southern border.

“In Idaho and across the country, reports of human trafficking are on the rise. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are seizing record amounts of fentanyl, meth, and other dangerous. In too many cases, this illegal activity can be traced right back to cartels and other bad actors taking advantage of our lawless southern border,” Governor Little said. “The troopers we deploy to Texas come back with better knowledge to stop these perpetrators in our state. As they have done before, our troopers will debrief and train their law enforcement colleges around the state so we can protect Idahoans from these deadly, dangerous threats.”

Under the guidance of Governor Little’s IDAHO WORKS plan, ISP troopers were able to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and partnering states in innovative new ways to combat crime at the southern border.

This collaboration deepened ISP troopers' understanding of trafficking operations through joint patrols and border protection, representing a significant interstate effort.

“We are very proud of what we are doing and stand solely behind the Governor. What we observed down there was absolutely eye-opening,” said ISP Sgt. Christopher Cottrell about his experience during the deployment to Texas. “It is a very scary world, and Idaho is largely protected, but the more we discover, the more we realize that some of this stuff is in plain sight, and we didn’t know it at all.”

This initiative was designed to aid law enforcement efforts and enrich educational programs in Idaho. Insights from the mission will be integrated into the Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) courses for Idaho law enforcement, leveraging firsthand experience to bolster the fight against human trafficking. The partnership highlights a proactive, shared commitment to public safety and eradicating trafficking networks.

“Dispatching our Idaho State troopers to aid Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) at the border was a crucial step in strengthening cross-state law enforcement efforts and combatting illicit activities such as human trafficking,” ISP Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley said. “Our troopers acquired invaluable insights and firsthand experience while helping fortify border security measures. We are committed to leveraging this collaboration to improve overall safety and security, ensuring the well-being of communities in Idaho.”