TSCRA Special Ranger testifies at border security hearing
McAllen Texas - Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Roland Garcia testified today at a joint hearing to evaluate the effectiveness of state operations at controlling drug-related crimes and other violence along the Texas-Mexico border.
The hearing was held by the Texas House Committee on Border and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Texas House Committee on Public Safety.
While border security has always been a critical issue in Texas the recent death of an Arizona cattle rancher has brought the issue to the forefront of the agricultural community said Garcia.
Garcia is the Special Ranger for District 29 which encompasses eight counties on the Texas-Mexico border. He and the other 28 Special Rangers in Texas and Oklahoma are commissioned by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and/or the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation to investigate agricultural crimes primarily livestock and equipment thefts.
Information provided to TSCRA by confidential sources in Mexico say that livestock and ag equipment thefts occurring throughout Texas make their way to Mexico. These thefts are often used in trade for the purchase of drugs to fund violent gangs.
Garcia says that Texas ranchers along the border fear they may be targets of kidnappings for ransom.
According to Garcia some Texas ranchers have received death threats for reporting any illegal activities to law enforcement. Many borderland owners have chosen to remain silent and not report the threats for fear of retaliation.
Interviews with international cattle raisers have also raised concerns for the purchase of U.S. livestock. International livestock buyers fear travel to border towns for fear of piracy along traveled roads and constant violent encounters with gang members.
The Texas-Mexico border has become a lawless region Garcia said. Ranchers and their families along the border need more protection from Mexican criminals. Securing our border requires immediate attention.
TSCRA supports an increase in federal law enforcement agents including the National Guard Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Border Patrol agents. These agents should be provided with authority equipment and training.
TSCRA supports more resources for state county and local law enforcement agencies.
TSCRA also supports an increase of Unmanned Aircraft Systems also known as predator drones for missions over the Texas-Mexico border. This would provide an additional surveillance element supplying valuable information to local state and federal law enforcement along the border.
TSCRA supports policy that implements a more effective method of dealing with detainees.
TSCRA supports an increase in the number of check stations along the Texas-Mexico border.
TSCRA supports the implementation of plans and policies that allow and mandate immediate and direct communication between federal state and local law enforcement agents.
TSCRA supports more coordination and communication between law enforcement ranchers and local residents.
TSCRA strongly supports increased pressure from the U.S. federal government on the Mexican government to control drug issues within their own country.
The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas TSCRA represents more than 15000 beef cattle producers ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services legislative and regulatory advocacy industry news and information insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.
