Border Patrol El Paso Sector demonstrates border security efforts alongside other agencies

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector hosted a joint border security operation today in South-Central El Paso along the U.S.-Mexico border; the exercise involved federal agencies, state military forces and Mexican military partners.

The exercise shown was aimed at showcasing rapid response capabilities following the U.S. Department of State's designation of the Juarez Cartel as a foreign terrorist organization last month.

Participating agencies conducted coordinated actions to test joint response capabilities along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Operational plans for the exercise involved U.S. Border Patrol Special Operations detachment agents inserting into the area via Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations helicopters.

The following state and federal agencies were present as well:

• U.S. Department of War (DoW)
• U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Texas (USATXW)
• U.S. Attorney's Office District of New Mexico (USANM)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Texas Military Department (TMD)
• Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
• Mexican Army (SEDENA)
• Mexico National Guard (Guardia Nacional)

On the south side of the border, Mexican army soldiers also conducted a mirror patrol in coordination with the U.S. exercise.

Federal authorities say any community members can report suspicious activity anonymously to the U.S. Border Patrol by calling 1-800-635-2509.

ABC-7 was at today's demonstration and will have a full story tonight on ABC-7 at 4 and 5.