Mexico deploys battalion across from Starr County
ROMA — More than 600 Mexican soldiers arrived in the area across the Rio Grande from Starr County on Monday in an effort to help secure the known drug corridor after several recent firefights.
The Frontera Chica, or Little Border, is the common name given to the area including Camargo, Miguel Aleman and Ciudad Mier. Among the recent violence there was a daylong firefight Oct. 8 that resulted in the death of 11 Gulf Cartel gunmen and the arrest of 36, as well as the seizure of 4 tons of marijuana.
The troops are members of the 105th Battalion, which was formed Oct. 1 to permanently address the security situation in the area, according to the Mexican military.
The troops arrived Monday with weapons, vehicles, communication systems and other support systems to begin operations.
The battalion is tasked with patrolling the area, gathering information and intelligence, fighting members of organized crime, community outreach and taking actions to protect citizens during natural disasters.
The new battalion will focus on curbing the activities of organized crime and reducing crime overall in order to restore peace to the area, according to the news release by the Mexican military.
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Ildefonso Ortiz covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4437.
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