Border Report from another AZ Minuteman... Very interesting... Mexican Army.

azredhawk44

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http://www.minutemanhq.com/hq/borderops_17.php
Border Watch Operations: "Very Sophisticated"
A Report from the Arizona Border
April 26, 2007
By Dave Bertrand

Wednesday April 25th, 2007 was considered the most advanced operations of any MCDC operation to date, according to a few MCDC veterans, and Border Patrol agents participating stated that our operation was "very sophisticated."

The trial run the night before, noted an Illegal Alien (I.A.) count of 50 on the march, but they circumnavigated our position due to unforeseen noises. MCDC communications requested Border Patrol support which arrived within minutes, including a Border Patrol helicopter. The area was swept for about an hour, and agents on the ground followed the foot prints that eventually went-off in three directions. Because of the air operations all around us, we knew the illegal aliens further south would just lay-down for the night.

Last night (Wednesday) we began operations with a different strategy planned that afternoon, a strategy that often changes to keep the Mexican government, and the ACLU confused. The ACLU has often interfered with MCDC operations and U.S. Border Patrol. The ACLU was advised accordingly and has decided to use other methods that seem to be ineffective. The Mexican government gives our positions to drug cartels and coyote's that lead groups of illegals through the harsh desert. An hour before going-out on our particular line, we were briefed by line leaders, radio channels assigned, and Border Patrol briefed. This time, the strategy would prove to be quite effective.

Minuteman (Roger) set-up his "Eye-in-the-Sky" infrared detection camera, while other teams set-up other sensitive detection equipment. Border Patrol would later arrive and take-up positions with us. The sun went-down and most everyone sat quietly, listening on highly sensitive detection devices for some, while others had night and thermal vision.

It was my opinion, that (our post 2), according to our position, would only be the 50 million candle power light (flank) for whatever "Eye-in-the-Sky" would detect, and boy was I wrong!

My partner, (Steve) from Franklin, Tennessee was completely geared-up with NV18 Comm Spec, while I was using the listening device so sensitive, you can actually hear a desert rat eating 50 feet away. And believe me, plenty of them around, including the largest jackrabbits I have ever seen! The top of their ears from the ground are about 3 feet tall. Rattle snakes have been dormant, except for the other day a 4 foot rattle snake was laying in the road near our post.

The chill began to set-in as the sun dropped behind the mountains, and all manned posts had finally settled-in for the evening.

It could not have been more than 30 minutes of darkness when the sound of foot steps began to enter my headset. I had finally deciphered the rabbits and desert rats eating and shuffling across the desert floor, and an occasional foot shuffle by adjacent posts, but what I was hearing were many foot steps heading our direction in a rapid movement.

I got on the local channel and advised everyone, "Here they come...I have several foot steps approaching at a fast pace [break], eye-in the sky, the sound is coming from your southwest position and south/south east from post 2."

Eye-in-the-Sky immediately scanned the area and reported 6 individuals "now lying down" and one I.A. advancing forward. I confirmed the foot steps had stopped, but could not confirm the one advancing.

Then about the same time, the foot steps began to run, and Eye-in-the-Sky began transmitting the count and direction. We now had 20, then 30, then (last heard) 40 running, while all Minutemen posts lit-up the area like a movie set. Two illegal aliens had surrendered, overwhelmed by the intensity of the lights. We offered water and food, and one told me in Spanish that he had cocaine (Coca) in his back pack. I replied, oh really?? Then he began to pull a bottle of Coca Cola from his back pack, and we had a good laugh over that one. Our concern was that he might have weapons, if he was carrying cocaine. An illegal will often carry a 6 x 6 inch plastic sealed bag of cocaine for the drug cartel in lieu of having to pay the $1,500 to $3,000 coyote' fee.

After Border Patrol arrived, one unit took the two I.A.'s away, while other units stayed with us. Moments later more units arrived and went into the bush to track the ever increasing number that flew past our positions.

We had gone dark for no more than 30 minutes when Eye-in-the-Sky began to see 4 individuals moving around, hiding, and watching. In the meanwhile, my partner (Steve) tells me that he sees 3 individuals on night vision coming towards us from the north! I asked if they might be Border Patrol, he wasn't sure but said they were short. As I was calling it in on the radio, other posts closer began to light them up. The I.A.'s had their hands in the air, and one was a teen child. One of the Border Patrol units with us, immediately took them away. We went dark again, and the 4 I.A.'s we were previously watching on infrared were now out of view.

On my listening device, I heard one whistle softly, indicating that he was separated from the others. We now had a new direction on him, and Eye-in-the-Sky picked them up again on his screen. Border Patrol walked over towards our post and my partner with night vision assisted them. Steve and Border Patrol were being directed by our Eye-in-the-Sky to an I.A. that appeared dead. He was laying face down under a tree, in the bushes. However, the I.A. realized it was all over for him, and decided to be un-dead. Eye-in-the-Sky was now directing the team to 2 others. They were apprehended by B.P., and then another I.A. was picked-up on infrared, east of Eye-in-the-Sky. That I.A. was arrested as well by Border Patrol on the spot.

Now...this is where it gets interesting..

One of the four illegal aliens being loaded in the B.P. truck tells the agent that he has been with the Mexican Army Special Forces for about (??) 8 years, and obviously the entire group's "coyote" (a major hit for us and America). The B.P. agent told me that he could tell at first that he was something different, by his attitude, and how he was maneuvering to avoid detection. The agent discovered a cell phone on him, and suspected that he might be receiving intel about the Minutemen positions. We already suspected one nearby mountain as a surveillance point.

By this time, we were reaching a shift change, not only for us, but for Border Patrol as well. "Eye-in-the-Sky" continued to pick-up images. The next MCDC shift was being briefed as we arrived the camp. I am not sure as to what they encountered, but all I know is that the Altar Valley is being over-ran on a daily basis, costing tax payer's enormous money when those that get by our lines succeed to infiltrate communities in mid-America. Hopefully, more community local law enforcement deputies/officers will become 287G certified under Homeland Security's Immigrations, Customs, Enforcement (I.C.E.)

Dave Bertrand
On The Border In Arizona

Counter-intel, just as I suspected in my earlier post. The military involvement coming out into the open. This needs to see the light of day folks... they are allowing their armed forces to work against us.
 
Counter-intel, just as I suspected in my earlier post. The military involvement coming out into the open. This needs to see the light of day folks... they are allowing their armed forces to work against us.

Um....I didn't see anything in there that suggests that they are "allowing" anything. Certainly not in an official sense, and probably not in an unofficial sense. Unless you want to assert that everything any US soldier has done has been at the behest of the US government.

Which, considering that US service personnel have been involved in everything from embezzlement, to drug smuggling, to torture, to rape and murder...I'll go out on a limb and guess not.

Interesting read, though. Amazing what can be done when man-hours aren't as huge a concern. The equipment necessary to effectively interdict illegals is actually relatively cheap in comparison.
 
I don't see anything that would indicate their military is "allowing" units to help illegals cross. My guess is that a few have decided to make a few bucks on the side.

Good read! Wish I had spare time and a little financial padding built up to go do my part. What's being done my the MM is very much appreciated, and I'd like to contribute my time to the cause sooner than later...
 
Welcome to the real world. I lived in El Paso and worked in Juarez. Also, Torreon Mexico. Worked in Mexico for 30 years. I can tell you that the Mexican Army is completely corrupt. Not an indictment...just fact. They will and do help illegals cross the border, when it is their interest. Think of this way, there is no such thing a real law in Mexico...just power and money. You know what scares the common Mexican citizen? Being stopped by their own police or Army ....me too when in Mexico.

In a way Mexico is a very free country. If you have power and money you can do anything you want. Really, anything!

If you don't want to be hassled by the Army just hand them a special envelope. If you don't want to be hassled by the local police just hand them a special envelope. If you want your company to get stuff across the border...just hire a Mexican attorney to work full time at the border. No problem, you just walk right though with no checks....happens all the time. Now when you reach the US side you might have a problem....but at least you have reduced your problems in half.
 
Wish I had spare time and a little financial padding built up to go do my part. What's being done my the MM is very much appreciated, and I'd like to contribute my time to the cause sooner than later...

Costs: (Assuming you live in CA, AZ, NM, TX or some other border state)
MM CDC app fee and membership: $50 (waived if you have a CCW Permit... this is for a background check to make sure YOU aren't a crazy going out mexican hunting or black helicopter shooting.)
Gas down to the border and back: $50
Food: $0 (you gotta eat whether you go down or not... sandwiches and such work just fine and there aren't a lot of restaurants with expensive food around.)


It's $100 for a first-timer... we got all the gear for new folks to borrow. After you register, it's basically just gas costs down to the border to help out.
 
Um....I didn't see anything in there that suggests that they are "allowing" anything. Certainly not in an official sense

What a joke. Where do you live?...Midwest fantasy land? :)
 
It's $100 for a first-timer... we got all the gear for new folks to borrow. After you register, it's basically just gas costs down to the border to help out.

^those are the easy expenses^
It's the time off and having my regular monthly bills I have to cover in the mean time. Planning to have time set aside this fall in my off season, and that's where it will be going. It's just a matter of building up the $$ cussion so I can make a few weeks of it in a whack.

Where do you live?...Midwest fantasy land?
Southern Utah actually, and my backyard is one of the IA underground highways through to the north and central areas--aside from the fact I am a contractor superintendant during build seasons--so yes, I'm well versed in the migration.
 
Where do you live?...Midwest fantasy land?

Southern Utah actually, and my backyard is one of the IA underground highways through to the north and central areas--aside from the fact I am a contractor superintendant during build seasons--so yes, I'm well versed in the migration.

Kind of funny...my mistake...not you but JuanCarlos.
 
I guess the thing that many do not understand is that corruption is a way of life for Mexican Army & Police. It is just not something that happens to a few bad soldiers or police officers as we have happen here. Mexico lives on a standard of bribes and corruption..just simply the real world.

My favorite first hand experience with low level bribery in Mexico is what happened to a friend in Juarez. This was an American vendor that worked with our company. He had a day time auto accident. The Juarez police officer arrived. My friend (fluent in Spanish) asked if they could not settle the fine on the spot. The police officer said yes for $40.00. My friend only had a $100.00 bill and some ones. So the Juarez officer took his $100.00 and drove off to get change. He actually returned and gave my friend $60.00 in change. Now that is what I call a crooked/honest cop.:)
 
Kind of funny...my mistake...not you but JuanCarlos.
:D Gotch... Replies were too similar--thought it was for me. :D

If you don't want to be hassled by the local police just hand them a special envelope.
Yah, I lost a real nice dive watch as a 'get out of jail free' card many years ago. Don't be an American in the wrong area when a local decides to make a "welfare check"---us 'gringos' are easy targets for the mexican police retirement fund...

"You're American, huh?"

"Yes, sir."

"What time is it?"

"Quarter after---um, uh... Here ya go."

"Thanks for visiting, come back anytime..." (as he leaves sporting a new watch...)

(The Reader's Digest version)
 
Where do you live?...Midwest fantasy land?

Right now? Montana. Spent many years down in Phoenix, though. And my wife is from Los Angeles. So yeah, I'm familiar with the southwest.

Are you suggesting that the soldier in question was acting on behalf of the Mexican government? I'd say it's more likely that he was moonlighting on his own. Possibly with the knowledge of his low-level superiors. But at that point we're still talking about low-level corruption, not an action on the behalf of Mexico.

Considering our own armed forces aren't exactly free of such corruption and malfeasance, and considering the general corruption that pervades Mexico, I'd say this is not unexpected.
 
and considering the general corruption that pervades Mexico

Exactly. I think we can agree on that point. This general corruption is from the top down. Nothing low level about Mexican drug lords & crooked police/Army running the country. In the USA, we are so honest that we put Martha Stewart in prison. Wow, make a bunch of cookies and just tell one little lie and you land in jail.:D
 
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