Texas Shootout Between Border Patrol, Smugglers

Agents exchange gunfire across Rio Grande

DONNA — Two Border Patrol agents investigating a marijuana load exchanged gunfire Monday with unseen assailants from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.

The agents were unharmed and no one was believed injured on the Mexican side, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Oscar Saldana said. Four bundles of marijuana totaling 305 pounds were found on the river bank.

It was the second time this year agents were fired at near that section of the river, which at that point is less than 150 feet wide.

The agents were approaching the river bank at about 7:30 a.m. after spotting an inflatable raft near the U.S. sider, Saldana said.”They went in to take a closer look. At that time the agents came under fire,” Saldana said. “They immediately took cover and responded by firing as well.”

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2007-03-22