Posted on 02/10/2012 7:58:31 AM PST by harpu
The latest addition to the Texas Highway Patrol fleet won’t actually be patrolling any highways. But it will be prowling the Texas-Mexico border.
It’s not a “vehicle,” really – it’s a vessel: a 34-foot powerboat. And it’s armed to the teeth.
The boat has six 30-caliber machine guns divided among four firing positions. And its defense is just as aggressive as its offense.
“This front area here will be lined with bulletproof glass,” said state trooper Erik Burse as he gave FOX 26 News the grand tour. “The panels that we have on the side here will be bulletproof shields.”
The craft is the first of six new boats outfitting the newly-created Marine Unit of the Texas Highway Patrol.
The boats will be stationed throughout south Texas, along the Rio Grand. They’re aimed at stopping drugs and violence.
Case in point: Falcon Lake, where an American tourist was recently murdered by narco-traffickers.
“It's an area that the Zeta drug cartels are notorious for bringing drugs into the United States across that lake at night,” explained Texas congressman Ted Poe.
Poe tapped his finger on a photo of the tactical speedboat. “This will help stem the tide of the Zetas coming into the US,” he added.
Double your money it’ll be used for nothing but no-knock search warrants within six months.
Lock up your dogs!
Yes. Mexican gangs killed a Texas man operating a wave runner on one of the border lakes. The man's wife was with him, but got away.
Next time the gangs will be the ones wanting to Get Away, but they probably won't.
There is a Naval Component to the Texas Military Forces. It's called the Texas Maritime Regiment Technically part of the State Guard, which is not part of the National Guard, and is a State Only organization. but they wear Navy and Marine Uniforms and have Navy and Marine ranks.
I remembered the State Guard maritime component after sending this.
There have been numerous incidents of bank robberies where the robbers escape by crossing the river and Druggies trying to sneak their products over the river. Not too long ago, boaters were attacked by Mexicans on PWCs. Yes there is a need for them. TX PBR Chuck Norris!
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