As Eagle Ford booms, new highways are gold for Mexican drug cartels





These are Texas' most dangerous gangs. less Agents with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office of Air and Marine, patrol over the Rio Grande River in Hidalgo. Roads being built for oil industry use are increasingly being used for drug running. Agents with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office of Air and Marine, patrol over the Rio Grande River in Hidalgo. Roads being built for oil industry use are increasingly being used for drug ... more Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close As Eagle Ford booms, new highways are gold for Mexican drug cartels 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

The rapid development of the Eagle Ford shale formation in South Texas is leading not just to a huge oil boom, but also to a boost for drug gangs in the area, according to federal officials.

Customs and border protection agents told the National Journal that the vast array of new infrastructure in the area means drug cartels have a web of new smuggling routes open to them.

On top of that, gangs have the perfect cover, often stealing trucks bearing company logos so they can pose as workers and smuggle in drugs including marijuana, heroin and cocaine. Some also engage in human trafficking.

"(The situation) is definitely being taken advantage of by the cartels in Mexico," Charles Goslin, a retired CIA officer now with security firm Butchko, told the Houston Chronicle. "The Zetas control the (route) that comes up through Nuevo Laredo, it gives them access to the I-35 artery and on to the big retail markets in Chicago."

The Zetas have been called by the US Government, "the most technologically advanced, sophisticated and dangerous cartel operating in Mexico."

Goslin says the gold rush-like boom in Eagle Ford is perfect for them.

"It's a big, big area, about the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined... Eagle Ford is a modern day boom town America," said Goslin, "Border patrol are aware of it and they're trying to get their hands around it."

The new infrastructure available to cartels "has changed us and what we do," agent Ricardo Aguirre of Border Patrol told the National Journal. "We have increased traffic here and there's increased people traversing through here and trying to get through, but by the same token we also have an increased number of eyes out there to report any illicit activities."

Agencies are trying to form partnerships in the region to use those extra sets of eyes to their advantage.

A special 800 number has been set up for tips if a worker sees someone they don't know crossing ranch land, according to Goslin, but he fears that bribery will stop that effort from succeeding.

"The biggest amount of the (gang's) budget is paying people off on the way. They look at it like a business; it's organized," Goslin said.

Local officials, though, say authorities are doing an outstanding job.

Andres Zamarripa with the Webb County Sheriff's office told the National Journal that Eagle Ford growth is merely another tool for cartels to use for smuggling.

"Way before Eagle Ford existed, it was coming across by the ton, and it's still coming across by the ton," Zamarripa said.