A perfume seller who federal prosecutors said tried to "remove the stench of Mexican drug cartel money" was sentenced today to nearly two decades in prison for a money-laundering scheme. 

After narcotics seizures surged 45 percent in 2010, the Laredo Customs District saw a relatively minimal increase in contraband intercepted at its ports in 2011. But others aren't sure the federal government should applaud so loudly about the Laredo district figures, saying efforts on the whole are still lacking.

Rapper and part-time actor Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr., was arrested early Saturday after agents at the West Texas Border Patrol checkpoint found marijuana in his tour bus.

Texas economists and politicians are closely watching what this summer's presidential contest in Mexico means for the peso and, in turn, the state's symbiotic business ties to our neighbor to the south. 

Aerial surveillance in the form of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will replace about 900 National Guard troops on the U.S.-Mexico border as early as next year, a strategy not all Texas lawmakers like.

The Dallas Cowboys have attracted a devoted fan base in Mexico, a country where American football ranks second to Mexican fútbol. Travelers risk overnight bus tours on roads traversed by violent drug cartels for the chance to see a game at Cowboys Stadium. 

Drug seizures are up but illegal immigrant arrests are falling on the southern border, according to data released today by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A decision by the White House to reduce the number of National Guard soldiers on the country’s border with Mexico has provoked a fierce but expected reaction from Gov. Rick Perry, a longtime advocate for more boots on the ground in Texas.

A sour economy, increased border law enforcement and skyrocketing smuggling fees are keeping more would-be crossers at home. But you wouldn't know it from the presidential campaigns.

In this episode of Weekend Insider, Tribune reporter Julian Aguilar discusses immigration and politics, and executive editor Ross Ramsey discusses talks about candidates looking to voters for a second chance.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst released a list today of border security-related issues he wants Senate committees to consider in advance of the 2013 legislative session.

Last night's CNN debate on national security highlighted significant differences among the GOP presidential candidates — in particular, between Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports.

Vikram Datta was a successful perfume businessman when the feds accused him of being part of a complex conspiracy to launder money from drug sales. What led to his downfall? An investigation into the Black Market Peso Exchange.

In this edition of the Texas Tribune Weekend Insider, reporter Julian Aguilar explains the challenges and temptations facing business owners on the border. And reporter Morgan Smith takes us to West Texas, where school districts have benefited from the wind energy boom.

The French photographer on why he documented the construction of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and what he learned as he trekked through four states photographing the multi-billion dollar effort.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced this week it deported more immigrants during the 2011 fiscal year than it did in any year since the agency's 2003 inception. 

Gov. Rick Perry’s suggestion he might be in favor of sending the U.S. military into Mexico to quell cartel-related violence elicited a variety of reactions, from outright dismissal to praise that he had brought the issue to the forefront of the presidential campaign. 

The former head of the U.S. Armed Forces Southern Command said Monday that if the U.S. does not provide more support to Mexico, that country's next presidential administration may have no choice but to make a deal with cartel leaders.