La Joya police reach speeds over 100 mph when they are chasing suspected drug and human smuggles.
Officer Francisco Champion knows all too well the dangers of high speed chases. He said when you add in the cold weather those dangers increase.
"It's very challenging and dangerous--especially in these conditions,” said Champion. “The roads because slick and oily."
Chapion said smugglers look for any opportunity to smuggle in their loads.
He said just last year when the Rio Grande flooded most of La Joya—alleged smugglers were able to get their loads into the United States.
He said they were able to do this because they knew police could not get to them.
"Our police vehicles couldn't drive through the mud,” said Champion. “Of course they brought in ATV's and little jet ski boats to go through irrigation canals and floodway system. It was something we never experienced before."
Champion does not expect this freezing weather to be any different. He said these smugglers will use every trick they have to outrun officers—even if that means putting people in danger.
"I think it will happen again,” said Champion. “They will try and find something that we're not ready for."
Champion said no load is worth his life or others traveling the open road.
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