HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – Residents in an east Houston neighborhood woke up early Tuesday morning as a large-scale law enforcement operation unfolded across several properties.
According to neighbors in Clinton Park, at least four homes were raided by a combination of federal agents, state troopers, and local law enforcement officers. While officials have not confirmed the total number of arrests, multiple sources say several individuals have been detained.
Area residents said officers surrounded several homes before sunrise, creating a tense and confusing scene.
A resident, Frederick Johnson, said he was arrested during the operation.
“I was arrested, but I was released because I’m not causing any drama or trouble on the streets,” Johnson said.
Johnson told ABC13 he was handcuffed for about three hours before being released without explanation.
Authorities, including the FBI, have not publicly confirmed the purpose of the raids or the number of people detained.
While the FBI’s Houston branch was leading the operation, other agencies, including FBI San Antonio SWAT, Houston Police investigators, HPD SWAT, the U.S. Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, ATF agents, and the Houston Fire Department, were also part of the federal investigation, the Justice Department said.
SkyEye was over the Clinton Park neighborhood where law enforcement officers appeared to be conducting a court-authorized search of a home.
SkyEye was overhead as images showed what appeared to be several law enforcement vehicles and officers conducting a court-authorized search.
Authorities, including the FBI, have not publicly confirmed the purpose of the raids or the number of people detained. However, multiple sources familiar with the situation told ABC13 that the operation may be related to a drug-related investigation.
Some residents said they received advance notice that law enforcement would target the area.
“We got a call earlier this morning that they were coming to the 400 block,” a neighbor said. “We tried to let everyone know they were coming here.”
Residents say a similar law enforcement raid occurred in the same neighborhood about six months ago. Some believe the latest raids may be linked to that previous operation, perhaps based on new or updated information.
“They came here six months ago, so there is some updated information,” another resident said.
Throughout Tuesday morning, officers were seen removing boxes of evidence from multiple homes. By midday, some of the properties involved had been closed.
At this point, it remains unclear how many people have been arrested or what specific charges they may face. The authorities did not release additional details about the investigation.
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