Border Patrol Boats Armed to the Teeth

Updated: Tuesday, 10 Jan 2012, 10:19 PM CST
Published : Tuesday, 10 Jan 2012, 10:18 PM CST
NED HIBBERD
Reporter

HOUSTON - The latest addition to the Texas Highway Patrol won’t actually be patrolling any highways. But it will be prowling the Texas-Mexico border.

It’s not a “vehicle,” really – it’s a vessel: a 34-foot powerboat. And it’s armed to the teeth.

The boat has six 30-caliber machine guns divided among four firing positions. And its defense is just as aggressive as its offense.

“This front area here will be lined with bulletproof glass,” said state trooper Erik Burse as he gave FOX 26 News the grand tour. “The panels that we have on the side here will be bulletproof shields.”

The craft is the first of six new boats outfitting the newly-created Marine Unit of the Texas Highway Patrol.

The boats will be stationed throughout south Texas, along the Rio Grand. They’re aimed at stopping drugs and violence.

Case in point: Falcon Lake, where an American tourist was recently murdered by narco-traffickers.

“It's an area that the Zeta drug cartels are notorious for bringing drugs into the United States across that lake at night,” explained Texas congressman Ted Poe.

Poe tapped his finger on a photo of the tactical speedboat. “This will help stem the tide of the Zetas coming into the US,” he added.

You can see the Texas Highway Patrol boat for yourself at the Houston Boat Show.

It’s on display through Sunday at Reliant Center. For details, click here:

Houston Boat Show - January 6-15, 2012

Border Patrol Boats Armed to the Teeth