Thread: Spikes springing up in recent drug busts concern area author

Spikes springing up in recent drug busts concern area authorities

December 10, 2009 10:57 AM
Jared Taylor
The Monitor

HAVANA, TX. — Suspected drug smugglers used spikes to deflate the tires of a U.S. Border Patrol unit during a pursuit Tuesday night — at least the second incident in which area authorities have discovered the devices in a week.

Border Patrol would not confirm whether the spikes deflated the tires of an agency vehicle Tuesday night, but court documents reveal agents also found the homemade devices after an agent fired gunshots during a confrontation last week.

Meanwhile, authorities are concerned the spikes could cause further incidents on Rio Grande Valley roadways.

The spikes, or caltrops, consist of several metal points arranged in such a way that regardless of how the caltrop lands on the roadway, one point points up, creating a tire hazard. These particular caltrops appear to be fashioned from nails welded together.

The latest discovery of the devices occurred about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, after a Border Patrol agent tried to stop a pickup truck suspected of hauling marijuana bundles along Highway 83 in Havana.

During the pursuit, one of the tires on the agent’s vehicle deflated after it ran over homemade spikes possibly tossed onto the roadway by the smuggler.

“Somehow they got the spikes on the road,â€

I have seen a commercial or two for tires that have the ability to run flat.
Had I a preference, my tax dollars should go toward that than food stamps and social services for illegals.

315/35R20 XL (BMW X5) Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport Run Flat Tires
$437.99 new - Amazon.com

Pirelli Tires - PZero Nero All Season 245/40R18 93V RunFlat (245/ ...
$196.00 new - Vulcan Tire Sales

Bridgestone BLIZZAK LM-60 RUN-FLAT Tire- 225/40R18 88H BSW
$243.16 new - Sears