http://www.examiner.com/x-10317-San-Diego-County-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2010m4d12-Mexican-drug-cartels-threaten-US-Border-Patrol-Agents

After a week marred with violence along the U.S./Mexico border sources admit the Mexican drug cartels have placed a $250 thousand bounty for the kidnapping or murder of Border Patrol Agents.

U.S. agents are taking the threat very seriously and say officers in the field should use extreme caution when approaching the border fence area. The threat comes after an Arizona rancher was murdered on his own property last month by an alleged illegal alien.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a warning to law enforcement officers in west Texas due to retaliatory killings by a Mexican gang. The agency has suggested agents’ change up their routes and wears body armor while on duty.

DHS headquarters said gang members might issue a “green light” to murder law enforcement officers in the Texas and other U.S. border areas. The report also suggests that the law enforcement officers pay special attention to any unusual activity.

The elevated warning comes amidst a crackdown on the Barrio Azteca Mexican gang following the brutal murders of three Americans with ties to the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad Juarez on March 13. Law enforcement in the region has begun a broader crackdown, known as “Operation Knockdown.”

The spike in violence along the border transcends state lines and Border Patrol Agents in Arizona and California must now look over their shoulder and be prepared for possible attacks near the U.S. border region.

One agent said it this way; “We were warned about this recently at several musters and we were advised to take this threat seriously and to take precautions. This is the life we chose and it is certainly not our first threat. Over two years ago we received intelligence that a $2 million contract was put out for the assassination of a Border Patrol Agent. Last year, Agent Rosas was murdered. Coincidence? I doubt it. If they are willing to pay two million for a hit, then they have enough money to pay for a fall guy. The cartels don't need to prove to America that they can pull this off. They only need to prove it to other cartels, for credibility in the fight amongst themselves.”

As the war south of the American border continues to rage, it is only a matter of time before another life is taken and another family mourns the loss of a loved one. It is time the U.S. government takes the threat of violence seriously, steps up its surveillance on drug cartels and protects all Americans along the U.S./Mexico border.

---

similar to Border Patrol $250K reward:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2009_news_releases/august_2009/08062009_3.xml

CBP Offers $250,000 Reward for Information on Agent Rosas’ Murder

(Thursday, August 06, 2009)
contacts for this news release



Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection is offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, who was killed in the line of duty July 23 near Campo, Calif.


“CBP offers this reward to encourage anyone with information on the murder of Agent Rosas to come forward and share the information with the FBI,” said CBP Acting Commissioner Jayson P. Ahern. “Bringing those responsible to justice for this heinous act is of paramount importance for CBP and our law enforcement partners on behalf of Agent Rosas’ family, friends and colleagues.”


On July 23, Agent Rosas was shot and killed by unidentified assailants near Campo after responding to suspicious activity in an area notorious for alien and drug smuggling.


Reports indicate that Agent Rosas exited his vehicle in the vicinity of Shockey Truck Trail to track a group of individuals. Border Patrol Agents patrolling nearby heard gun shots in the vicinity and tried to contact Agent Rosas. After he failed to respond, they rushed to locate him. They found Agent Rosas’ body near his service vehicle, shot several times.


It is unknown where the shots originated or the whereabouts of the assailant(s). An international effort involving the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the Government of Mexico, and other partners is underway to locate and bring to justice the perpetrator(s) of this atrocious act.


CBP is asking anyone with information concerning the death of Agent Rosas to contact the FBI at (858) 565-1255. If requested, the person providing information may remain anonymous.


CBP’s $250,000 reward offer is in addition to the FBI’s $100,000 reward offer and an additional $10,000 for the recovery of Agent Rosas’ service weapon.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.