Tuesday, March 20, 2007
‘Eyes on the Border’ update
by Matt 'Zilla' Bramanti, CPO™


I’ve got an update from Eyes on the Border Foundation honcho Edd Hendee and chief pilot Sam Lopez.

Here is Sam’s report from this weekend’s flights:


Great day of success for our operations - intercepted 3 different groups of aliens entering the US near Fabens Texas (just east of El Paso). The standard drill is for the “coyote” to drop off the aliens on the Mexico side near an uncontrolled crossing point - then drive the car through the border checkpoint empty - then meet his “customers” on the US side at a pre-arranged meeting place to drive them further into the US. Our plane intervened!


Five vehicles spotted on Mexico side - estimate 20-25 aliens get out to cross river and find “coyote” on US side later. This group was “buzzed” by the plane and went back across the river into Mexico.


On our side of the river is a Border Patrol unit - on the other side are multiple vehicles and a school bus - assume to be transporting aliens to make a river crossing. There is a concrete dam on river to make their crossing easier!


Here’s a close up - look at the 3 guys crossing the dam.

Saturday 3/17/07: found 3 vehicles transporting bales of marijuana in Presidio county - alerted Border Patrol

Sunday 3/18/07: found 3 separate alien crossing groups - alerted Border Patrol, buzzed last group who then turned and retreated to Mexico; plane then spotted car which ran checkpoint and coordinated law enforcement to intercept - car was found to contain meth and cocaine; last patrol revealed a suspected drug lab. Sheriff will check out the area today.

Quoth Edd:

The plane is making a difference. Our goal is to spend the next few months demonstrating its use to the Sheriffs of El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis Presidio counties. It will be their call to continue this program in their counties. After this weekend - they are seeing its benefit much more clearly!

As always - we appreciate your support - and you can help us provide the services of this aircraft by donating on line to: www.eyesontheborder.org

Happy flying, guys!

http://lonestartimes.com/2007/03/20/eye ... -update-2/