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.
I can't speak for the rest of you, but I've had quite enough of our playing footsies with socialist Mexico!
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.
"Due to the pending congressional hearings cover-up I can't comment further"
Exactly..shoot a few just to see whos working....oh and by the way..it might stop a few too
It's far past time for us to teach Mexico to respect us.
Put down the Zetas once and for all.
ping
Wearing uniforms and even driving U.S. military vehicles, 16 suspects were caught in a sting run by an FBI-led task force. Eleven entered guilty pleas Thursday in Tucson; the other five have agreed to do so soon.
Agreed! I emailed both the White House and GOP yesterday and voiced my disgust at their pampering of the issue. I told them the President should address the issue of border insecurity during his address tonight (yeah, right).
Congress must proceed on passing legislation for him to sign on the fence that was approved by the House;
Until a workable fence is erected, the National Guard should be placed on the border to insure our security and the lives and property of all who live there - with instructions to return fire and enter Mexico to capture all insurgents;
a commander of General rank should be installed over all border security issues (preferably one of John "Black Jack" Pershing's ilk.
In addition, another Freeper had the idea that armed swift boats patrol the Rio Grande with authorization to kill any insurgents who attempt to cross into the United States.
That should send a message!
An FBI spokeswoman said the Justice Department filed criminal informations on the defendants, which led to the guilty pleas. They also include: Robert L. Bakerx, 43; David M. Bustamante, 35; Joel P. Bustamante, 33; Jorge A. Calzadillas, 22; Demian F. Castillo, 33; Mark A. Fillman, 55; Jimmy L. Ford Jr., 29; Guillermo German, 36; Angel S. Hernandez, 31; Moises Hernandez, 21; Leslie B. Hidalgo, 24; John F. Manje, 36; Gladys C. Sanchez, 24; Angel M. Soto, 41; and Phillip Varona, 22.
A few of these folks might not be Hispanic (although I am Hispanic and my surname is Scottish) but the vast majority are.
The joys of multiculturalism and importing third world corruption.
"In addition, another Freeper had the idea that armed swift boats patrol the Rio Grande with authorization to kill any insurgents who attempt to cross into the United States."
Swift boating Mexico!! Can you imagine the outcry from the left if we were to so much as scratch an insurgent?
Is it any wonder the Mexican Army is rife with corruption? I haven’t found a recent pay scale, but I doubt things have changed much. I also doubt the Mexican government really cares – if the cartels will supplement military pay their government saves money.
Hearings? We're being invaded by a foreign government, and he's calling for hearings? Gimmee a major break. President Bush ought to to be on the phone with Fox to say, "If your guys do that again, my men have standing orders to open fire, and confiscate the bodies for positive identification."
Now, that is a hell of an good idea!
UAV's with Hellfires could cover a much larger area.
Yeah, I'd love it! Maybe we could invite some of them down for a swim.
It's an act of war. I'd say, call 'em on it. Round up all the enemy nationals (read illegals) and deport every last sorry body of them.
"On Thursday, Mexico's foreign relations secretary suggested the smugglers may have been U.S. soldiers"
O.K., with that view I'm sure that Presidente Vicente and his foreign relations hacks will have no problem if we shoot to kill in the future when faced with similar incursions.
With stories like this and the drug-smuggling tunnel, when I hear Mexican officials dictate to us that we can't build a border fence, I say build it twice as deep, twice as high, twice as thick, and twice as long. The more fence between these thugs and me, the better I feel.
>> Now, that is a hell of an good idea!
Too good to ever be implemented, I fear.
And I volunteer as well, JB.
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