The Laredo Police Department arrested 19 people on driving while intoxicated charges over the Halloween weekend, officials announced. The arrests were made during a coordinated "No-Refusal" DWI operation meant to remove impaired drivers from city streets.
Under the operation, officers were authorized to seek search warrants for blood samples from drivers who refused field sobriety or breath tests. Police reported that only two of the 19 drivers refused to give a voluntary sample. Authorities said at least one traffic crash over the weekend may have involved an intoxicated driver.
The operation was carried out with County Court at Law No. 2 Judge Victor Villarreal, Webb County District Attorney Isidro Alaniz, Doctors Hospital and the Texas Department of Transportation. The holiday operation has ended, but police said DWI patrols remain an ongoing priority. Drivers were urged to plan ahead by choosing a sober driver or arranging a rideshare.