Thread: TX:Judge warns kidnappings by cartels may spill into Texas

Bridge Vigilance: Cameron County judge warns kidnappings by Mexico drug cartels may spill into Texas

By Laura B. Martinez, The Brownsville Herald
Cameron County Judge Carlos H. Cascos is asking residents to be vigilant after receiving reports of kidnappings in Mexico that could spill over to include the kidnapping of citizens in South Texas.

A Matamoros businessman was kidnapped from his Matamoros home last week and was held for ransom, Cascos said, adding that it's only a matter of time before the kidnappings start here.

"If they (kidnappers) are going to be going through with these kidnappings that I've heard they are going to try and start doing, they are going to go into the affluent neighborhoods of Cameron County," Cascos said Tuesday. "Everyone needs to be aware. They need to keep their doors locked."

The county judge has relayed the information to Steve McGraw, the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security. Cascos plans to ask the governor for additional border security funding when he meets with him this week in Austin.

The judge has already requested that Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio have his deputies increase surveillance of vehicles traveling into Mexico at the international bridges.

Cascos' concerns follow reports released this week that Mexican drug cartels have given their hit men permission to cross into the United States to kill their targets. The reports were released by the El Paso Police Department, the Associated Press reported.

Agent Dan Doty, spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol's Rio Grande Valley sector, said information on the cartel threat was immediately provided to all the sector stations and agents.

"We are always at a heightened alert and have been since 9/11," Doty said. "The safety of our agents as well as the American people is paramount to what we do."

Cascos said the public needs to be aware of the dangers that are out there and that it's the duty of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to notify citizens of information that pertains to the drug cartel so they citizens can take precautions.

"Of course, there's a concern for the safety of law enforcement, Cascos said. "If our law enforcement people are in jeopardy, then what does that mean to the regular folks that aren't armed or don't have bullet proof vests on? I don't mean to scare anyone, but everyone needs to be aware."

Brownsville Police Chief Carlos Garcia said he hasn't received any intelligence that indicates the drug cartel's orders near the El Paso-Mexico border pertain to the South Texas area because there are different drug cartels operating near El Paso and Brownsville.

However, it's not to say that they won't "align themselves" with one another on something such as this, Garcia said.

The chief said he would ask his officers to be more aware of their surroundings, especially when conducting traffic stops.

"We won't take any chances," Garcia said.

Felix Garza, spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said he could not comment on the drug cartel threat. He would also not comment as to whether CBP has increased inspections at the bridge because of the alleged threat, which could contribute to longer waiting times to cross the international bridges.

Cascos is asking for help from the Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to address the wait times at the bridges that involve travelers returning to the Untied States.

The judge said he's received reports of bridge crossing times of 45 minutes to as long as two hours.

"While I do not want to compromise the security and safety of our citizens, we do, however, need a better plan from the local CBP port director for the movement of vehicles and pedestrians in a much quicker fashion," Cascos said in a press release.

Garza said delays could be attributed to the installation of new software at the bridges for the screening of passport cards as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, back-to-school traffic bridge crossings and enforcement.

The installation of the new software began earlier this month.

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/c ... slComments

Cascos is asking for help from the Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., to address the wait times at the bridges that involve travelers returning to the Untied States.

I am certain this was a typo but how true, how true.

As far as the back-to-school increase in bridge traffic, does that mean that Mexican kids are being educated in the US?

OH no do you mean that the environment is more important than the fence to protect Americans? Is it unsightly? Will we take our fences down around our prisons because "fences won't work?" How about arming our BP and LETTING THEM USE THEIR WEAPONS. Get Ramos and Campean out of jail, WE NEED THEM.

Originally Posted by vortex

As far as the back-to-school increase in bridge traffic, does that mean that Mexican kids are being educated in the US?

Yes. I saw it with my own two eyes last winter while re-entering the U.S. on foot from Piedras Negras.

A mexican girl with a backpack was quickly let through by the BP agent after he asked her if she was going to school. Her backpack was not searched.

Originally Posted by dep0rt

Originally Posted by vortex

As far as the back-to-school increase in bridge traffic, does that mean that Mexican kids are being educated in the US?

Yes. I saw it with my own two eyes last winter while re-entering the U.S. on foot from Piedras Negras.

A mexican girl with a backpack was quickly let through by the BP agent after he asked her if she was going to school. Her backpack was not searched.

WECOME TO ALIPAC depOrt. Glad to have you with us.

Thanks. Glad to be hear. I've been reading the news articles here for many months.

Originally Posted by dep0rt

Thanks. Glad to be hear. I've been reading the news articles here for many months.

We're glad to decided to join the posting crowd. I archive news articles into my word processing. If you are a activist in your local area, you may consider doing that, so you can go with facts, and ammunition in hand.

Welcome to Alipac dep0rt I like your name

Welcome dep0rt!

I wonder when we will start hearing news reports about people with severed heads being found here in the USA.