Drone Images Show Armed Cartel Smugglers Open Fire on U.S. Border Patrol in Texas

Jan 29 2025, 10:04 AM EST

Alleged human smugglers linked to an undisclosed cartel exchanged gunfire with U.S. Border Patrol agents as they tried to cross the southern Texas border on Monday, per the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

A DPS drone tracking the alleged criminal group captured video of them reportedly fleeing Mexico due to military presence and seeking refuge on an island between the U.S. and Mexico, according to DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez, who shared the images via social media.

The images show four men dressed in dark, camouflage-style clothing. At least three of them appeared to be armed with long rifles.

In two of the videos shared by Olivarez, one of the individuals notices the drone flying over the group and points to it with his firearm but does not shoot.

The group then continues moving through heavy brush areas along the Rio Grande River.

In a written statement, Olivarez revealed that Border Patrol agents patrolling in Fronton, Starr County, "received gunfire" from the men.

A still image from the drone video shared by the lieutenant shows at least one alleged cartel member aiming his weapon.

The Border Patrol agents reportedly returned fire and received assistance from DPS agents during the encounter.

The men were ultimately unable to enter the country, and neither party was hit or injured. DPS representatives told Fox News that Mexican military vehicles could be seen on the other side of the border afterward.

"The State of Texas will continue to monitor the area closely & use every resource available to prevent transnational threats," Olivarez said.

While this isn't the first time border agents have been attacked by human smugglers, these criminal groups generally keep a low profile for fear of drawing a retaliatory response from the U.S., according to The Telegraph.

The shootout comes just a week after President Donald Trump, who has pledged to crack down on drug trafficking and focus on border security, took back the White House.

Since then, he has declared a state of emergency at the border and announced the deployment of active-duty troops to the southern border.

https://www.latintimes.com/drone-images-show-armed-cartel-smugglers-open-fire-border-patrol-texas-573842

https://twitter.com/LtChrisOlivarez/status/1884091659690074511

>>22460717

Some NJ officials still want more from Trump about drone mystery

January 29, 2025

Several New Jersey officials are disappointed with President Donald Trump’s statement about drones and wondered why the Biden administration didn't offer the same explanation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday read a statement from Trump saying there was nothing to indicate the drones were a national security threat and that they were being used for lawful purposes.

"After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons.

Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones. In time it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy," Leavitt said during her first press breifing.

Leavitt did not disclose the nature of the research or if the research was being done by the government, the military or a private company.

She also did not explain why the FAA instituted a temporary flight restriction for drones over 57 locations in the state.

The sightings have continued in Belleville, Hillsborough, the Mays Landing section of Hamilton (Atlantic), Martinsville, Newark, Oradell, Pedricktown, Ringwood and West Caldwell in the past two days, according to the Enigma Labs drone report map.

Gov. Phil Murphy appeared to be satisfied with the explanation but other New Jersey leaders were not.

Reaction from New Jersey leaders

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J. 5th District, said that while he is happy that there is no national security threat presented by the drones, he sent a letter to the FAA demanding further explanation about the “research and various other reasons” that the drones were conducting.

U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, R-N.J. 7th District, thanked Trump for providing an explanation but said there are still many unanswered questions.

The congressman also expressed concern about why the Biden administration had not share this information.

Pentagon officials under Biden had said that the drones were not operated by any foreign adversary but they did not say that any of the drones were for "research" purposes.

Biden officials also dismissed many of the drone reports as misidentification of manned aircraft and stars and planets.

Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden lay blame on the FAA for a “lack of transparency” about the drones creating “heightened alarm” and “unnecessary anxiety” in the community.

Golden repeated his call for Congress efforts to pass legislation to give local law enforcement the ability to respond to drones.

Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn, R-Monmouth, called the "lack of transparency" from the Biden administration "deeply troubling and unacceptable."

She was "grateful to the Trump administration for stepping in with transparency, providing answers and ensuring accountability."

Belleville Mayor Michael Mellham calls Trump's explanation "a cover story." The Republican mayor said he is concerned about the "various other reasons" the drones are over a densely populated area.

"We need to know the EXACT REASON the FAA permitted drones to fly just over our homes in the middle of the busiest air space in the country," he said on X.

https://nj1015.com/new-jersey-leaders-react-to-trump/

https://twitter.com/GovMurphy/status/1884361465739518391

>>22461021

>Tomorrow