Have You Seen the Bulletproof Texas Gunboats Equipped With Automatic Machine Guns That Will Battle Drug Cartels on the Water?
- Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:30pm by
Jason Howerton
- Print »
- Email »
While Americans are being told by the federal government not to worry about the bloody carnage going on just miles from the U.S. border, Texas law enforcement is rolling out 34-foot gunboats to patrol the Rio Grande River in an attempt to keep Mexico’s drug cartels at bay and combat spillover violence, FoxNews.com reports.
No matter how you spin it, there is a war going on just south of the border — one that has claimed roughly 56,000 lives in just five years. And the narrow Rio Grande is all that separates Texas from Mexico at certain points, making it a favorite route of smugglers of guns, drugs and/or people. In fact, the river is thin enough that you could literally swim from one side to another in just a matter of minutes. That was then.
(Related: ICE Agent Shot in South Texas While Conducting Surveillance)
The Texas Department of Public Safety is pushing back in a serious way. They have commissioned four new “shallow water interceptors,” which are now cruising along the river, and two more are on the way. Their job is to combat the increase in smuggling activity occurring through the Gulf of Mexico.
The $558,000 vessels are equipped with bullet-proof panels, 900-horsepower engines and fully automatic machine guns that can fire 900 rounds-per-minute. In other words, these gunboats aren’t just for show.
Take a look at the gunboats out on the water, courtesy of Fox News:
“If we get into an ambush situation, our No. 1 priority is to get out of harm’s way,”said Lt. Charlie Goble of the Texas Highway Patrol’s Tactical Marine Unit. “It’s very important for us to be better armed than they are.”
A total of six “shallow water interceptors” will cost roughly $3.3 million at $558,000 each. They are being paid for with funds set aside by the Texas Legislature as well as grants from the Department of Homeland Security, however, this is one spending splurge tax payers may not have a problem with.
Maj. Bob Bailey of the Texas Highway Patrol’s Special Ops Division told Fox News the boats would be another tool for law enforcement on top of ground units, helicopters and various weapons being used to battle the ruthless cartels who seem to always find a way to get their product into the United States. He says the cartels have access to “unlimited” funds and firepower.
“Machine guns on the ground are one thing,” said Bailey. “This is just another asset to be in those remote areas where the cartels exploit our border, our river, our citizens.”






















Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (123)
Charley1
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:48pmHeadline writer might want to research firearms a bit. “Automatic machine guns”? By definition, a “machine gun” is full automatic…fires as long as the firing mechanism is engaged, and ammo holds out.
Report Post »TheCoffinMaker
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:50pmI’d rather see our Marines patrolling our borders.
Super-Cobra Attack Helicopters, Riverine Assault Crafts, laser-guided weaponry, satellite and night vision imaging, and drone aircraft.
Problem solved permanently.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:54pmi suppose they won’t use them on americans just out for a day of fishing?
Report Post »Miami
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 5:58pmBulletproof….?
Don’t think so… unless they have ” force fields,” they look like sniper targets.
PS; Didn’t Holder make sure they got some 50 cal. Barretts (M82, M82A1, M107, M107CQ, M107A1),..?
Report Post »davrob1
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 6:17pmTexans can handle it. Thank you.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:05pm“…said Lt. Charlie Goble of the Texas Highway Patrol’s Tactical Marine Unit. “It’s very important for us to be better armed than they are.”…”
Report Post »‘They’ being the American people. I seriously doubt most wetbax and drug mules are that well armed. Especially those swimming the Rio Grande.
Gorp
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 8:26pm@Charley1: Could possibly “Automatic machine guns” refer to a gun that is aimed by computer/laser? Wouldn’t that qualify it as being an “Automatic machine gun”? I’m just asking.
@Wolf: As long as the “wetbax and drug mules” aren’t that well armed then TX has accomplished their mission of being better armed.
Report Post »rickbob
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:23pmBeat me to the punch. . . The headline must have come the The Department of Redundancy Department.
Report Post »thejackal
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:01pmYeah and how about, 900hp engines? Ah, no. They have three 300 hp Mercury outboards for a total of 900hp. Morons.
Report Post »DoGooder
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:24pmThose of you who doubt whether the mules are levelly armed drag your asp down to the border and moon those silly wetbaxs..whatever the hell that is, You non-Texans that don’t have to live with this **** should shut your pieholes and hope DPS is successful in protecting our country. Shoot them all and let God sort them out!
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:28pm.
Report Post »Hello, Texas:
Get ready to be sued by Holder and Napolitano.
Your efforts to stem crime are not appreciated in Washington.
Flag-Man
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 10:11amcoffinmaker:
Report Post »Semper Fi
happ77
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 12:50pmcoffinmaker, throw in some seals too
Report Post »TheAlamoLives
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:38pmI don’t wish these officers any bad luck, but think for a second about a typical patrol mission on the Rio Grande. What kind of support is available in the form of intelligence, air support, or back-up boats. Can the troopers even return fire to the Mexico side? Who pays for all this crap after buying a boat for a half mil. I can see some of these officers being wounded in a half planned confrontation because of restrictions and no plan for “what if…”. After some bad results or injuries, Gov. Perry will probably redeploy these guys to check fishing licenses, after all, the fish are regulated by the state. The end result will be these resources will be used against the taxpayers of Texas. National borders should be protected by federal authorities.
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:45pmGo get’em TEXAS!!! Atleast until Holder sues you for trying to protect the citizens of your State.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:31pm.
Report Post »It’s okay to buy the boats with taxpayer dollars, as long as they stay in the warehouse
and never come close to mexicans.
“See no evil!”
BillyPenn
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 6:57amI could not have said it better. Let us not forget, this is an election year !
Report Post »Texas Chris
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 9:39amThese will be used to search and regulate Americans, Texans.
Believe me, they will NEVER, EVER, EVER fire into Mexico, even if fired upon.
Report Post »DevotedDad
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:41pmKeep believing that these weapons are for everyone EXCEPT Americans and you will continue to march down the road of slavery.
First we were told they were no drones being used against Americans and then that changed….
We were told we had to let TSA fondle us to keep us safe while the border is wide open…..
We were told our phones had to have back door spy and SURVEILLENCE capabilities to keep us safe…..
We have been told if we protest or speak out about the Federal Government we are terrorists….
Banks have been caught laundering Mexican drug cartel money…
Our Government has been caught giving guns to the Mexican drug cartels….
And yet you still want us to believe that these boats are not for us?
Are you kidding me?
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:50pmNo kidding, a militarized police force. Happy Independence Day – NOT. I would rather have drugs decriminalized.
Report Post »battles
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:53pmI would be right there with you on this, except having been born and lived in Texas most all my life, I can (almost completely) confidently say that the TDPS is one of the very few noble police forces in the nation. They are taught (or used to be taught) how to be gentlemen during their initial training. They are (at least used to be) warned that some women are attracted to authority and told that they will be fired if it is found that they are messing around with any woman other than their wife. Only when I see these boats fully maned being towed down the streets on trailers will I begin to worry.
Report Post »I have been connected with the transportation industry for years and have traveled in every state except Vermont and Hawaii. Most places you couldn’t trust what you were going to run to when it came to cops. The only good ones that I found were the TDPS, Louisiana State Police, and the Las Vegas Police Dept. What keeps the LVPD in order and good is the danger of destroying the tourist industry.
ehd
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:58pmthis action is by the State of TEXAS NOT the stupid FEDS…..we don’t worry about no texas rangers.
Report Post »neoconenemy
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 4:06pmDevoteddad gets it. Remember the patriot act, ndaa and the dept of homeland security? Even as Bush was telling soft headed Americans that he was fighting them ‘over there’ so we wouldn’t have to fight them over here he was diligently taking away our 4th and 5th amendment rights and unleashing a police state on the American people ie he was also fighting them over here. And if he’s fighting them over here, then he’s also fighting our constitutional rights over here. All to protect us sheeple from some boogeyman…terrorists, drug cartels/dealers, gangsters, immorality etc. The drug war is the biggest excuse yet for the growing police state but sadly most of these flagwaving republicons don’t get it.
Report Post »Blazebanned
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:05pmI love the comments about the militarising of the police force, from baffoons who have no clue what goes on here in Texas, or anything about the TDPS and the Texas rangers.Until you idiots educate yourself on the drug and wet-back problem we have here,save your comments for something you know about. I personally welcome the use of these boats and i hope they shoot first and ask questions later.
Report Post »JournalistStuntDouble
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:31pmWhose command do these fall under when the progressives get the Law of the Sea Treaty ratified under a lame duck Senate, or dare I say, 2nd Obama term?
Report Post »freeberty
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:35pmNo, I think the comments from you and your fellow Texans have certainly clarified some misconceptions that we may have had about your state. I hope you get all the security that you can stand, just hope we don’t have to hear you whine about government overreach.
We now have a clue that this quote from the American revolution would never apply to the Sheeple of Texas.
“I prefer liberty with danger to slavery with security”
Report Post »Dirty Harry
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 7:09amBlazebanned, you’re an idiot! Did you make it past the 5th grade? I doubt it. Our police departments have become too militaristic, in contrast to what our Constitution dictates.
Go back to serving fries and let others do the heavy-thinking. And, don’t salt mine twice this time.
Report Post »srtttu
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 9:42amSheeple…really!? Texas remains one of the freest states in the Union, and it is thanks to actions such as this. If the Fed‘s aren’t going to do their job, then we have no problem picking up their slack. As far as police departments becoming to militarized, give me a break. I hope that I don’t have to show my elementary school graduation certificate to qualify my opinion, but I’d be glad to at an official request. This type of paranoia is what classifies people that read news from this site as fringe at best. I regret that I’ve spent even this much time replying to a clearly ridiculous post, but I did feel compelled to recommend mentioning Xanax at your next doctors appointment. Now though I do realize that you might consider the prescribing of Xanax from free and independent (currently at least) doctors might be misconstrued as mind control agents working for the government. In closing, let us think about how effective such boats would be against the population of Texas.
Report Post »1.We all know how waterways blanket this state throughout, which would lead to complete access to the urban and rural populations alike with ease.
2.This is not to mention that fact that 6 boats are likely to wipe out the uprising population in a matter of days with not a problem.
3.Waterways do not blanket the state. There is arguably little water to navigate, especially when controlling the population is concerned,,,even with 6 boats!!! Vote for Ron Paul!!! Not! Paranoia is a stinky
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 11:52amI don’t get some of these comments. Do you want the border secured or not? I don’t see the Feds doing it. Texas has gotten of the dime and prepared itself to fight the war. I remember the Navy and Coast Guard Riverines. They did a great job. Thanks Texas for doing the job.
Report Post »acidovorax
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 5:18pm“Until you idiots educate yourself on the drug and wet-back problem we have here,save your comments for something you know about”
Why does one need to live in TX to understand that the “drug problem” is directly due to the War on Drugs? It is Prohibition all over again, regardless of what the ignorant Bill Bennett’s of the world would like to claim. So while incentivizing the most ruthless and violent people to enter the drug trade, you also demand MORE spending on State and Federal agencies to deal with the problem the War created. And this doesn’t even address the violations of liberty that become codified in “tough on crime” laws nor the innocents that are harmed by inept government agencies.
“I personally welcome the use of these boats and i hope they shoot first and ask questions later.”
There’s that liberty loving conservatism we hear all about.
Report Post »acidovorax
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 5:21pm“Sheeple…really!? Texas remains one of the freest states in the Union, and it is thanks to actions such as this.”
SRTTTU, so TX is one of the freest states because of more government? Interesting theory.
Report Post »rbcintexas
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:32pmAs a Texan, not only do I not have a problem with the splurging on these boats, I think we need more of them.
Report Post »Wojciech W.
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:46pmYour wrong brother. I have a huge problem with the State Police doing this. They did not sign up to wage war on the water. Get the damn Coast Guard out there! That is THERE job! Keep our SP safely in our state. Military grade weapons and armament? This is embarrassing to the military. Get the Navy or Marines to do this. If I was still in the Corps I WOULD DO THIS FOR FREE just pay me with a beef ravioli MRE. I would LOVE TO BE OUT THERE. May God Protect them and keep them safe!
Report Post »Fat Pappy
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 7:55pmUntil the POTUS is a man or woman with some character and one who takes his/her oath of office seriously, to protect us from ALL enemies, Texas will have to protect itself. Don’t like it, but we don’t have much of a choice right now.
Report Post »quarando
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 10:44pmOf course… spend money so poor American children can see a doctor, that is evil socialism. Spend money so gun ships can fire automatic weapons at poor immigrant children… defending freedom.
Certainly not what Christ would do.
Report Post »DoGooder
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:40pmAs a proud Texan, if the Feds won’t do it…buy armored vehicles with machine gun and patrol the border. Texas has a right to protect herself from invasion by the enemy.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 9:22amIf President Romney gets control of the border Texans can always use these craft for dynamite fishing. Boom. That’s a keeper.
Report Post »KidCharlemagne
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:29pmThis is eerily similar to the “Prohibition Navy” that was employed on the Detroit River to enforce the Volstead Act during the 1920′s at the Canadian border between Detroit and Windsor:
————————————————————
“Criminal gangs also developed sophisticated methods to signal across the border to avoid raids and arrests. The system was timed like clock work, one group arranged the purchase of liquor on Windsor’s docks and another team transported it across. Then a third team would transport it to a warehouse where a final team organized the distribution. Gangs with strong financial backing would often bribe federal, state and local officials. Police would often call in sick as requested by the gangs, and in the end hundreds were indicted. They eventually began to use airplanes after the prohibition navy became effective. Railways were also used extensively, 2 tunnels and loads of space and short staff made it easy. Railways were responsible for around 800 cases of beer daily. Customs officers noticed that after the Volstead Act there was a sharp increase in the application of motorboat licenses. During the mid 1920s, the narrow Detroit River and highways running farther inland could quench the thirst of millions of mid westerners.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum-running_in_Windsor
Yeah…it was effective for a little while, but the cartels simply found another way around it.
Report Post »DoGooder
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:56pmYou need to wake-up. This is not prohibition. These people behead people and leave their heads sweltering in the warm Mexican sun. To the tune of thousands. This is not prohibition..these people kidnap American and take them across the border..ransom them then kill them anyway. This is not prohibition…these people murder missionaries. You pantie waist Yankees need to mind your own freakin business while we in Texas handle our own problem. I bet you voted for Obamy!!!
Report Post »KidCharlemagne
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 8:32amDoGooder
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 11:56pm
You need to wake-up. This is not prohibition.
==========================================
YOU need to get a clue….
This IS Prohibition……….Detroit’s Purple Gang started doing this stuff along the Canadian border long before the Mexican cartels ever started doing it:
————————————————-
“With their numbers swelled by the influx of mobsters from other cities who came to Detroit to cash in on the golden harvest of Prohibition, the Purple Gang prospered. The mob soon branched out into other rackets. During a period of strife in the Detroit area cleaning industry, the Purple Gang was used as terrorists by corrupt labor leaders to keep union members in line and to harass non-union independents. This conflict became known as the Cleaners and Dyers War. Bombings, thefts, beatings, and murder were all methods employed by the Purples to enforce union policy. They were paid handsomely for their services. The labor war ended with the Purple Gang Trial of 1928 in which all of the Purple Gangster defendants were eventually acquitted. The gang emerged from the trial unscathed and became the dominant power in the Detroit underworld. The Purples ruled the Detroit underworld for approximately five years from 1927 to 1932.”
http://apps.detnews.com/apps/history/index.php?id=183
As history has shown, the only thing that organized crime truly fears is an influx of competition.
Report Post »acidovorax
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 5:26pm“You need to wake-up. This is not prohibition. These people behead people and leave their heads sweltering in the warm Mexican sun. To the tune of thousands. This is not prohibition..these people kidnap American and take them across the border..ransom them then kill them anyway. This is not prohibition…these people murder missionaries. You pantie waist Yankees need to mind your own freakin business while we in Texas handle our own problem. I bet you voted for Obamy!!!”
LOL…I knew there would be some clown who would try to distinguish the War on Drugs from Prohibition. I mean they’re like totally different. This is Mexicans and Prohibition was like Italians. Absurd.
Report Post »don young
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:18pmGreat now we will have a fire fight and kill drug people that are trying to kill us then the mexican goverment will sue us for useing to much fire power.
Report Post »jrcowboy49
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:43pmIf the mexican and American governments can’t control their border problems Texans and Rick Perry will! Effective illegal immigration and crime control without idiot Holder!
Report Post »jaelge
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:17pmBe careful because the Liberal Judical system is likely to overturn your State Convictions due to “Racial Profiling”. Better hope they are caucasion members of the cartels.
Report Post »My statement is only half in jest!
The-Monk
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:16pmI saw this yesterday and my first thought was that the engines are exposed.
What will they do when someone shoots the engines?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:32pmHey Monk, yeah, that can happen but I would think these boats work at least in tandem if not in larger formations. A single boat is nothing but a sitting duck with no support. If they use proper tactics and one is knocked out, they will use the observed forward mounted tow ropes if necessary. At least, I hope they will.
Report Post »65Plus
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:56pmHope those are 50 calibers – anything less will just make the Cartels mad. They should also have bazookas and other missiles for backup.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:34pmThey are M240Bs in 7.62 NATO. Basically .30 cal, but very effective. Maybe they will mount McMillian M134s if the crap gets too deep.
Report Post »hugo65hsv
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:55pmDon’t let the BATF or the DOJ (Holder) get hold of these boats.. They’ll be selling them to the Cartels of course without the Mexican Governments knowledge… Way to go liberals..
Report Post »psadie
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:48pmWhy are we not putting our returning military on the border to protect and defend? We can deal with the drug cartels in a heartbeat BUT we aren’t so what is really the issue there? Plus get rid of the TSA and put our ex-military in their uniforms at the airports. I would feel a whole lot safer. The clowns at the TSA don’t give a damn. Oh, and pay the military accordingly!
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:14pmThat would put the unions out of work.
Report Post »WeNeedaHero
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 3:53pmGood question PSADIE! My son was a Navy Riverine in Iraq, patrolling the Tigris & Euphrates rivers. The Riverines are an awesome unit, who spend more than a year training for just this type of mission. He left the Navy at the end of his enlistment to go to college rather than stay as a Riverine, although he loved the job. Their mission in Iraq was over, no plans for deployments to Afghanistan,so he felt they were being wasted by endless training with no mission in sight. They are the perfect choice for this job! They have the boats, fire power, training already. Why try to re-invent the wheel and start all over? Why not let the professionals do their job?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:23pmI saw them on the news last night. Pretty cool, but I don’t doubt the cartels could use shoulder fired missiles to take one out. I think they have already shown that they have them too.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:32pmIf the war is just south of the border, why is the DMZ 80 miles north? It’s dangerous living there.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 2:01pmIsn’t the border secure?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:23pmHey DEMOCRATS, happy DEPENDENCE DAY !!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:30pmRight on!
Report Post »Halo9x
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 1:36amAmen’
Report Post »mtsnj
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:17pmHope this doesn’t make them a bigger target for snipers
Report Post »Robert Hawk
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:16pmDon’t simply focus on drug cartels as that is not all that is occurring in Mexico. Have you forgotten that the Arizona department of public safety confirmed that Hezbollah is imbedded within Mexico and Venezuela. These boats are not simply about drug cartels and border crossing. These PT boats are about defending the USA at the border. Defending it from Drug Cartels and from Hezbollah. Think this is a problem? Just wait until Hezbollah starts lobbing rockets across the border into the USA as it does in Israel.
Report Post »DoGooder
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 12:01amFinally, a poster that’s informed.
Report Post »Worriedone
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:13pmWonder if they run on green energy that cost $26 a gallon like the Navy? Can they actually arm the Guns? Are they there to protect the illegals from the terrorist state of Arizona?
Report Post »Worriedone
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:08pmWonder if they run on green energy that costs $26 a gallon like the navy? Wonder if they can use real bullets? Are these boats used to protect the illeages from the terrorist state of Arizona?
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:04pmUmm…
Just my thought, but shouldn’t a river boat have a jet instead of outboards?
Otherwise, it looks good. Nice reverse shear.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:21pmsheer*
Report Post »dublinthewagons
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:58pmThe .props help chop up the victims so the smaller fish can eat up the evidence.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:57pmthere is indeed a war going on in Mexico and it is due to America’s drug addictions combined with our nonsensical domestic war on drugs. Countries south of us are trying to fulfill our drug demand but our government interposes our laws on them and turns them against their own citizenry
Report Post »bald61
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:56pmThis is a great move if they are actually allowed to use this asset and confront the narcos with force, otherwise it is just more wasted tax payer dollars. I’ll wait and see before giving it a thumbs up!
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:55pmThis story is a sight for sore eyes. I’m so happy to see a glimmer of hope.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:50pmHolder isn’t going like this……..
Report Post »He will claim this is voter suppression!
RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:43pmI love Texas with all of my heart. They now have their very own Brown Water Navy. Hope they accomplish enough before 0bama sics (With)Holder on them.
Report Post »The_Jerk
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:43pmWe are being invaded. Period.
Report Post »Seabass82
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:00pmYep
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:21pmJerk, we are being COLONIZED………….
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:37pmGreat boats; too bad all too soon Obama will have them used to murder fleeing Americans who seek to escape his pending dictatorship.
Report Post »GeneTracy
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 12:55pmThat’s a thought,and sadly you might not be far off!
Report Post »beckwill
Posted on July 4, 2012 at 1:04pmthat is an all too true statement.
Report Post »