Story highlights Gunfire damaged the aircraft, FBI says

Border patrol officials call Laredo Police after the gunfire

Helicopter lands safely

(CNN) A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Texas after it was struck by gunfire from the Mexican side of the border Friday.

Laredo Police were called by border patrol, who said "one of their helicopters had received gunfire," said police spokesman Joe Baeza.

The helicopter was flying over an area notorious for illegal border crossings and narcotics smuggling.

"Our helicopter actually landed in Laredo and there were no injuries," the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

In a statement, the FBI said the helicopter was struck several times by gunfire about 5 p.m. during an operational flight near the Rio Grande in Laredo.

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