Posted on 01/31/2006 5:27:41 AM PST by FerdieMurphy
EL PASO, Texas -- Suspected drug runners dressed in Mexican military-style uniforms who were involved in an armed confrontation with Texas lawmen were using a Mexican military-issue Humvee and weapons, the Hudspeth County sheriff said Friday.
"It was military," said Arvin West, whose officers were involved in the standoff. "Due to the pending congressional hearings I can't comment further."
West said the determination that the equipment was military-issue came from the federal government, but he wouldn't elaborate. A U.S. Army spokesman said he could not confirm West's statement, and the Mexican Foreign Relations Department said it would have no comment.
The Mexican government has denied that any soldiers were involved in the standoff that occurred Monday in a remote spot along the Rio Grande in West Texas. The smugglers escaped back across the border without a shot fired, abandoning more than a half-ton of marijuana as they fled.
Mexican officials have said the uniforms and other equipment could have been stolen.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and other officials have said they will seek hearings investigating such border incursions.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar, in El Paso Friday, said he could not rule out Mexican soldiers' involvement in the standoff at Neely's Crossing, about 50 miles east of El Paso.
In Mexico, kidnappers and drug smugglers regularly wear police gear, which is sold at street stands.
On Thursday, Mexico's foreign relations secretary suggested the smugglers may have been U.S. soldiers or American criminals disguised as Mexican troops.
Aguilar said he has spoken with his Mexican counterparts and was assured that an intense investigation is under way in Mexico.
A California newspaper reported this month that Mexican military units had crossed into the United States 216 times since 1996. It cited a Department of Homeland Security document, but department Secretary Michael Chertoff has said many of those incidents were just mistakes.
Also Friday, Aguilar said Border Patrol and other law enforcement are reporting that a new violent tactic is being used against them: "flaming rocks," rocks wrapped in cloth, dipped in gasoline, set on fire and thrown across the border.
Most of the incidents have happened near San Diego, and one officer has been injured, he said.
Authorities fear a deadly confrontation as attacks against Border Patrol agents increase. Last fiscal year there were 778 reported incidents, compared with 396 in 2004.
"It's time to put some sharpshooters with scoped .50 BMG rifles out in these areas, to disable the vehicles when within our borders, for incontrovertible evidence."
And while we're at it, let's "disable" more than a few of the occupants/drivers!
post #10 from - jackbenimble gives a hint.
How many chances do they get to get it right?
Here's and idea, the Iraqi's have been "slow" in getting up to speed with new Army and Police units. Bring them over and let them practice on our border. If Bush won't let our Military take care of his Constitutional duties then let the Iraqi's do it.
Sorry but most of the RG is ankle deep, except of course where's it's not (lol). I like Apache's better they can chase them down.
Not really.
Not really.
You don't think that a high percentage of Hispanic sir names amongst the list of U.S. soldiers and law officials helps explain why 16 of them were involved in smuggling cocaine over the Mexican / U.S. border?
Like Sir Vincente Fox?
Oh please oh grammar god,
Can you ever forgive my misspelled word.
sur?
Like Sir Vincente Fox?
You know what? I thought about this some more and your pun was on point. Fox isn't very Hispanic sounding is it?
I'm sorry for being over the top in my last response to you.
Microwave would be nice no reproduction.
(A little Spanish lingo there to prove I bear no malice towards our taco crunching friends to the South.)
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