Seized Equipment Bound for Mexico Now Being Used by Law Enforcement

Reported by: Camaron Abundes
Last Update: 7:13 pm

SAN JUAN - More than 60 kevlar helmets and boots bound for Mexico will stay right here in the Valley. A judge awarded the equipment to the San Juan Police Department. It was seized during a bust earlier this year.

Chief Juan Gonzalez says the cartels bought the equipment to fight a war in Mexico. The big fear is they might one day use that equipment here.

"These boots aren't just any type of boots. These are boots that are used by 90 percent of law enforcement in the Rio Grande Valley. So that's why they're purchasing it and they want to take it to Mexico," says Gonzalez.

Gonzalez shows a stash of helmets and boots seized during a Jan. 16 raid. A traffic stop led them to a home south of town. The boots, kevlar helmets and rifles were bound for Mexico.

"That means that they're protected, and they're ready for a firefight. They are prepared to fight us at even any time, and they're prepared to spend as much money,â€