There were problems when I was there in February....
I'll be sure to pack the rod locker w/ an AK47 for my next trip?<g>
Law enforcement agencies urging caution on Falcon Lake
Citing several armed robberies and attempted armed robberies on Falcon Lake in Zapata County,
the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Zapata
County Sheriff’s Office are strongly urging boaters on Falcon Lake to stay on the United States side
of the lake and not venture into Mexican waters.
Three reported incidents since April 30 have raised concern among law enforcement officers in the
Lake Falcon area. Two of the three incidents involved United States citizens who had gone into the
Mexican side of the lake, passing the International Waters markers. Most of the incidents occurred
in the Old Guerrero area, but it’s possible that other areas are a concern as well.
Fishermen are advised to stay as far away as possible from any of the Argos-type fishing boats
typically used as fishing vessels by Mexican fishermen. These boats have a large prow, a small
outboard motor without a cowling and no identification numbers on the hull.
Several bass fishing tournaments are scheduled for Falcon Lake during the next few weeks, and
officials are concerned that they could be in danger if they cross into Mexican waters while they
fish. One of the incidents occurred in U.S. waters.
This weekend, Zapata County Sheriff Sigi Gonzalez, will discuss these concerns with bass
tournament participants. He has been working with Texas Parks and Wildlife regarding security
matters on Falcon Lake. The DPS Border Security Operations Center and the Fusion Center are
working with Zapata County and Parks and Wildlife to review protective measures in the area.
The robbers are believed to be members of a drug trafficking organization or members of an
enforcer group linked to a drug trafficking organization who are heavily armed and using AK-47s
or AR-15 rifles to threaten their victims. They appear to be using local Mexican fishermen to
operate the boats to get close to American fishermen.
• On April 30, five people in two different boats were fishing on Falcon Lake and went to the
Old Guerrero area, where they were taking photos of the old church. While they were there,
a boat with four heavily tattooed men approached the two boats quickly. The men identified
themselves as “Federales,” but they were not wearing uniforms. The men boarded the boats,
demanded cash and asked “where are the drugs?” The fishermen told the men that they had
no drugs and were just fishing and taking photos. They ended up giving the men $200 cash
and left the area. The pirates followed the two boats, but the U.S. boats were able to outrun
them and the men stopped following once the two boats entered U.S. waters.
• On May 6, three fishermen were about a quarter of a mile from Marker 14 on the north side
of Salado Island on top of the ruins. As they were fishing, a boat with two men quickly
approached and pointed AR-15s at the fishermen. One of the men boarded the boat and
searched it, looking for drugs, cash and guns. During the incident, he chambered a round in
the rifle and told the fishermen that he would shoot them if they did not give him money.
The fishermen took money out of their wallets and gave it to them.
• On May 16, law enforcement officers were told that some boaters were approached by a
boat with five armed men on it. Investigators have not been able to locate the boaters to
determine whether any cash was taken. This incident occurred on the United States side of
the lake near Marker 7.
Anyone who is involved in an incident on Falcon Lake should dial 911 and report it to the Zapata
County Sheriff’s Office.
To maximize safety, boaters should stay in U.S. waters on Falcon Lake and file a float plan. This
means leaving a detailed note with family members telling the time and place of departure (boat
ramp), destination and direction of travel, boater cell phone number if available, names of
passengers and what they're wearing, and a description of the boater's vehicle and
boat, including boat and vehicle license numbers.
The U.S. State Department website lists several travel alerts related to violence in Mexico. Travelers
should always check that website for the most up-to-date information related to security issues in
Mexico. (See travel.state.gov. |
