Alleged drug smugglers and Border Patrol agents exchange gunfire in western Hidalgo County
Read more: Local, Crime, State, Border Patrol, Drug Smugglers, Illegal Drugs, Mexico, Mexico
The FBI is investigating the exchange of gunfire between U.S. Border Patrol agents and suspected drug smugglers across the Rio Grande, officials confirmed Monday.
The shootout occurred around 7 a.m. Monday just south of the small western Hidalgo County community of Abram.
Local Border Patrol spokesman Dan Doty Action 4 News that agents were watching suspected drug traffickers attempting to cross a load of narcotics when they came under fire.
The agents returned fire and the shootout lasted for about two minutes.
No one on the American side was injured but it was unclear if anyone on the Mexican side was hit.
No arrests were made but Border Patrol agents were able to confiscate over 200 pounds of marijuana.
Doty said this is the fifth time since last November that agents have come under fire from the Mexican side of the river.
