by Frank Perry
by members of Congress. They were simply trying to survive in an increasingly dangerous environment. They couldn’t stop the flow of drugs as long as Americans demanded them. They couldn’t stop the influx of Mexican workers who filled ten million jobs that Americans refused to do.
Hypocrisy was no more evident than in the Appropriations Sub-Committees that dispensed funding for pet projects to buy local votes at the expense of national needs. Congressmen had stopped representing their constituents and become professional politicians decades ago. The Congressional committees dispersed tax revenue for personal political gains, not the needs of the nation. Ironically, it was drug use and the laziness of the American people, their constituents, who created the killing fields along the Southern Border. The American population was publically outraged, but also responsible.
So, when the House Committee on Homeland Security demanded action by the Executive Branch, and DHS specifically, it was laughable because it offered none of the budget authority to enforce the laws. The President’s reaction was to throw the National Guard into the breach at the same time they were exhausting manpower and equipment as part of the military in the “War on Terror.” There was no consideration given to the amount of sacrifice that the state military and federal paramilitary personnel (Border Patrol and DEA) were expected to provide.
When Billy Ware was murdered in a public forum, the rage was vented on the Border Patrol. Indirectly, this also affected the National Guard soldiers in the trenches with them. It was outrageous to chastise the very soldiers, risking everything for unenforceable laws and, at the same time, criticize their agencies for failing to protect them in a hyper-hostile environment.
John Stokes was tempted to send an open letter to the New York Times inviting anyone critical to join them on the border. He went to bed midday, composing the words in his mind.
Chief Schmitt in El Paso Border Patrol Sector HQ took the brunt of the blame with the press, but was more worried about the reaction of his agents than his own career. He’d been with the Border Patrol for over twenty-five years and could wait out the public and the Congress. On the other hand, most of his young agents had fewer than five years in uniform. He remembered how strong emotions are at their age. He was more worried about the future than the past. One shot fired against the Mexicans could ruin someone’s future.
Leo Moritz was resting in his apartment when his cellphone began chiming.
“Hello.”
The man making the call said, “Hi, Leo.” He recognized the voice and knew the man would not speak long, fearing being overheard.
“Yes, how are you?”
“Fine, look, I can’t talk long so start writing.”
He needed to get something to write on, “Hold on while I get a pen,” putting the phone down momentarily.
He got back on line, wedging the small phone between his head and shoulder. “Shoot.”
“Tomorrow ten thousand kilos of uncut cocaine by ‘Freight Go!!’ truck will be crossing the Puente Río Bravo Bridge.” Two trucks, so watch the Mexican license numbers (he gave the numbers). The first is a decoy, so let it pass or the other will not come across.”
“What time?”
“Don’t know, but watch for escort cars with guards. This is a big shipment, and they’ll shoot.”
“Got it, but ... ” the phone line went dead before he could say more.
Battle Zone
Peter watched the news and caught bits of dialogue and briefings at headquarters about the rising violence in Texas. After the torture and murder of Billy Ware, he became worried about Stokes.
Using his desk phone, he called John.
“Hey, buddy, what’s going on?”
“Peter! It’s good to hear from you.”
“Yeah, well I was thinking about you with all the press coverage in your area.”
“Right. It’s pretty sporty down here. Are you jealous?”
“Who me? I’m just a bureaucrat now. So, seriously, how is it down there?”
“Major, it’s a lot more hostile than we expected. This guy Hector Cardenas is one sick son of a bitch. He’s not passively sneaking across. He’s unleashed his dogs for full assault and doesn’t end it at the border. We’ve got drug gang shootings north of the border in Tucson, Phoenix, Albuquerque and here.”
“How did they get the Agent anyway?”
“He was trapped, deliberately. They used some migrants for concealment and had Cardenas’ men overpower him at one of the desert outposts. It’s got the troops pretty scared right now, so we’re doubling up at most locations.”
“Is that going to help?”
“I don’t know. It’s pretty lonely out there. The Mex’s have spotters up in the mountains, using telescopes and radios to pinpoint our guys when they move around at night. In reality, two or three guys aren’t a whole lot better than one, if the druggies are prepared. There’s some intel at the Sector HQ that there’s a bounty on our guys taken alive. It’s got everyone jumpy.”
“Why would the cartel risk getting us pissed and sending more troops?”
“I don’t know. Maybe this guy Cardenas knows the American resources are tapped out and thinks our guys down here will back off.”
Peter nodded in silent agreement, “Yeah, it’s a strategy. This guy seems pretty savvy about our situation.”
“He’s new. His daddy was a monster with street smarts, but this new guy has taken brutality to a new level that seems to have a strategy behind it. He might be a lot smarter than we think.”
“Look, John. I’m not in line to help you much, but let me know if you want me to talk to the staff when you think it’s too hostile down there.”
“Thanks, Peter. I know you’ve got my back as usual, so I’ll keep it in mind. Would you do me a favor?”
“Sure, anything.”
“Call Carolyn once in a while and let her think Washington is supporting us. She needs some hand holding.”
“I’ll do it, gladly.”
“And, Peter ... if anything happens, please help her through it.”
“Of course, John.”
“Okay, then. Look I’ve got to get out there. So, thanks man. It’s good to know you’re there.”
“You got it, pal. Keep your head down and eyes open!”
“Bye.”
It was obvious to Peter that Stokes was affected by the treatment of Billy Ware. They all were. Peter was an operator all of his career, and it was hard to be in Washington without any connection to the troops in the field.
Hector Cardenas was delighted with the media reaction to his strategy with Billy Ware. He knew the Border Patrol would be scared and probably back off. He was so pleased that he offered a bounty for any American Border Patrol Agent or soldier brought to him alive.
Juarez was teaming with rival gang elements all trying to gain control of the drug trade. These battles were Cardenas’ primary concern, even more than the Americans; but he had the help of the Mexican police and military keeping things under control. Paying so many people was expensive, but it was just the cost of doing business. By offering a bounty, some of the gangs would stop trying to steal his drug empire and go after the Americans. He offered $1,000 per head for any live agent brought to his people.
He smiled at the thought. In the meantime, his people were preparing for the largest drug shipment in history.
The Seizure
Mike Schmitt was taking personal control of the night’s operation. Capturing ten thousand kilos of cocaine wasn’t the largest shipment on record, but it was the largest shipment over land he knew about.
The DEA warned about the decoy truck and armed escort. During most of the day, traffic across the Bridges of America, a.k.a. Puente Río Bravo, was backed up for miles at the checkpoint, so cars and trucks with thousands of people would be stuck within range of gunfire. It took careful planning to avoid collateral damage.
Over one hundred personnel from Border, Customs, DEA, and El Pas
o Sheriffs, would be needed to carry out the seizure operation. The U.S. Customs Checkpoint has several northbound lanes where Mexico Highway 45 converges into U.S. I-110 about a quarter mile north of the border. They were not sure when the shipment would be made, so everyone needed to be on alert from midnight to midnight. This doubled the manpower assigned in twelve-hour shifts to avoid excessive fatigue.
Also, because the checkpoint was above the border, the spacing between the decoy and the real Freight Go!! Shipment would be at least a quarter mile behind, in Mexico. On a typical day, there were about six Freight Go!! trucks carrying produce and manufactured items crossing the border at this checkpoint. Part of the plan included Mexican spotters watching the spacing of the trucks.
There would be only a small number of remote desert outposts manned because so many agents were assigned to the seizure. Stokes was asked by Colson, after discussions with Schmitt, to assign only one troop to each Agent in two-man teams. He didn’t like the idea of only two men at the outposts, but it was the only option. Some Border Agents would be alone otherwise.
At the Guard briefing, he told Gorman and the others, “Men, we’re going to be spread thin tonight. A shit load of the Agents have been pulled away, and we’re going to be in two man teams. Lt. Gorman, Sgt. Diaz and I will be mobile between your stations to give backup if you need it. I don’t want you taking any chances out there. If you see anything suspicious call it in immediately, and we’ll come. I don’t care if it turns out