Helicopter Pilot Spots Suspected Drug Dealers
Friday , November 16, 2007 Posted: 12:41 PM
Agents Seized Minivan at 12pm

CHIMNEY PARK -The pilot of a Border Patrol helicopter spotted suspected drug dealers along the river at Chimney Park.

The suspects were reportedly loading bundles into a red Ford minivan. Border Patrol agents seized the van. But the eight men spotted were able to get away.

They were seen swimming across the river to Mexico.

U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Oscar Saldana credited the air operations for finding the drug smugglers.

He tells us, "The air operations is another resource we have. It helps us tremendously in areas where obviously we do not have agents at a specific time."

Saldana says today was a perfect example of their use.

He tells us Border Patrol plans to have more manpower and high-tech equipment in the near future for greater operational control of the border.

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