CBP confirms two Mexican helicopter incursions in Starr County

Federal officials confirmed two Mexican military helicopter incursions took place in skies over Starr and Hidalgo County today but are asking the public not to be alarmed.

Local law enforcement officials were put on alert after a Mexican military helicopter was spotted in Alto Bonito and headed east into Hidalgo County.

Sources told Action 4 News tha tthe helicopter flew from Alto Bonito and then over Sullivan City and La Joya around 1 p.m. Thursday.

Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations confirmed that there were two helicopter incursions -- one between 9 and 10 am. and then another at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Air and Marine Operations spokesman Juan Muñoz-Torres told Action 4 News that the agency was informed about the incursions by the Mexican government.

Muñoz-Torres said the public should not be alarmed by the incursions.

The Air and Marine Operations spokesman said that a long-standing agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada allows for temporary incursions for medical or law enforcement purposes.

Rio Grande Valley residents have reported at least four Mexican helicopter incursions since March in communities along the border from Brownsville to Zapata.

Alto Bonito is located off U.S. Expressway 83 east of Rio Grande City and about two to three miles north of the Rio Grande river.

Muñoz-Torres said Mexican military helicopter have increased due to the ongoing drug war south of the border.

The Air and Marine Operations spokesman said Mexican military helicopters cross the border for intelligence purposes allowing officials to get another view or perspective of their target area.

"They are not performing operations in the United States," Muñoz-Torres said.

Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gopnzalez told Action 4 News in a previous interview that neither he nor other local law enforcement officials were notified about the incursions in their communities.

Muñoz-Torres said the Mexican military has a liaison at an Air and Marine Operations facility in California.

The Air and Marine Operations spokesman said the agency is looking to improve communications about the incursions through interagency task forces.

"More education is needed," Muñoz-Torres said.


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