Drone Images Show Armed Cartel Smugglers Open Fire on U.S. Border Patrol in Texas

Alleged human smugglers linked to an undisclosed cartel exchanged gunfire with U.S. Border Patrol agents as they tried to cross the southern Texas border on Monday, per the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

A DPS drone tracking the alleged criminal group captured video of them reportedly fleeing Mexico due to military presence and seeking refuge on an island between the U.S. and Mexico, according to DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez, who shared the images via social media.

The images show four men dressed in dark, camouflage-style clothing. At least three of them appeared to be armed with long rifles. In two of the videos shared by Olivarez, one of the individuals notices the drone flying over the group and points to it with his firearm but does not shoot. The group then continues moving through heavy brush areas along the Rio Grande River.

In a written statement, Olivarez revealed that Border Patrol agents patrolling in Fronton, Starr County, "received gunfire" from the men. A still image from the drone video shared by the lieutenant shows at least one alleged cartel member aiming his weapon. The Border Patrol agents reportedly returned fire and received assistance from DPS agents during the encounter.

The men were ultimately unable to enter the country, and neither party was hit or injured. DPS representatives told Fox News that Mexican military vehicles could be seen on the other side of the border afterward.

"The State of Texas will continue to monitor the area closely & use every resource available to prevent transnational threats," Olivarez said.

While this isn't the first time border agents have been attacked by human smugglers, these criminal groups generally keep a low profile for fear of drawing a retaliatory response from the U.S., according to The Telegraph.

The shootout comes just a week after President Donald Trump, who has pledged to crack down on drug trafficking and focus on border security, took back the White House. Since then, he has declared a state of emergency at the border and announced the deployment of active-duty troops to the southern border.