Cross-Border Drug Wars Spark Interop Plan

Escalating drug-based crime on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border surrounding McAllen (Tex.) has brought together agencies from local, state and federal governments to create a radio network that would link officers in both countries. Over 40 Rio Grande Valley public safety agencies are already using an 800 MHz radio network to communicate among each other, but recent shootings and other incidents have frequently shown the need for U.S. law enforcement agencies to quickly talk to their counterparts in Mexico. Now the U.S. Department of State is working on a cross-border radio plan, which is supported by the state of Tamaulipas, Tex. Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Border Patrol. Read more about the radio cooperation here.