Victoria County Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor says he knows immigrant smuggling is now a high-tech network.
Recently, he has doubled his efforts to persuade congressional members to fund the technology that can track cell phones and GPS systems of organized smugglers -- the same tools that criminals are using to monitor and dodge law enforcement.
"They are in the business of deception and we are hampered in our resources," O'Connor said.
The need for better equipment came to a head Friday during an all-day pursuit of two vehicles evading the law.
At least 15 suspected illegal immigrants fled from officials on U.S. Highway 77, near Fordtran. And they still have not been caught.
A Victoria County Sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a white heavy-duty truck about 9 a.m. because it was missing a
license plate, but the driver of that truck and the driver of a black truck following close behind fled, leading officers on a chase on rough terrain and through fence lines, said O'Connor.
The black vehicle drove north toward Lavaca County, and the deputy pursued the white truck south toward Victoria.
The high-speed chase involving the Victoria Sheriff's Office, the Department of Public Safety, the Victoria Fire Marshal and the Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden continued for more than three hours. About noon Friday, residents reported seeing 15 people run across the highway. But even with the assistance of a Department of Public Safety helicopter, officers were unable to catch them, O'Connor said.
Smugglers who transport people and drugs often drive through fields and then re-trace their tracks, trying to mislead authorities, O'Connor said.
They also resort to back roads and cut through private properties, damaging fences and other items, he said. Although it can double or triple travel times, back roads and brush-filled areas decrease visibility for helicopters and ground pursuit vehicles.
"I wish I could put a moat around Victoria, and just protect the waters," O'Connor said. "It is a problem and we need to fight it, and we will need to keep on being super aggressive."
Pursuing suspected illegal immigrants is a complex humanitarian issue, O'Connor said.
People being smuggled are often put in dangerous situations, not to mention the welfare and property of ranchers who are endangered and the safety of deputies when they approach vehicles they stop.
"Do I want to catch them?" O'Connor asked. "Every single time. Give me the tools and the proper capabilities and we will."
Copyright 2011 - Victoria Advocate, Texas
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
