From October 24, 2007

MEXICAN MILITARY YARDS FROM BORDER & PBA POST

UPDATE

Just getting off the phone with the Minutemen on this particular post, and the Sector Chief-Pineapple 6.

The events of today started early this AM. Minuteman "Will" posted early this AM and began seeing vehicle traffic (civilian) no more than 1 mile east of his post. His post is right on the border, so 1 mile east along the border is where this action is occurring. This dirt road runs east to west just inside the border of Mexico and is a common route for human/drug smugglers to drop off loads for trips north. No special activity was noted this AM.

Early this afternoon, the Minuteman on post observed a blue van (civilian) traversing back and forth across the US/Mexican border in an area where there is no fence. This location is only several hundred yards from where current US government fence building had been occuring until its recent shut down this week. Near this location of activity he then observed at least 3 armed Mexican soldiers and at least 1 Mexican Army vehicle holed up at an old shack on the Mexican side. Our Minuteman was observing via binoculars. The soldiers and truck were then hidden behind the shack from our view. The soldiers would then come one at a time out of the shack, weapon strung across the front with binoculars to watch the Minuteman post nearly 1 mile west from the soldiers' position. This went on for the rest of the afternoon. No illegal activity noted.

The Sector Chief was advised and arrived on post. USBP agents in a scope-truck also came out to this area.

Tonight, as we have a thermal scope on the Mexican Military position, we are seeing vehicle lights on thier position. We have no indication that anyone other than the civilian van had crossed during this activity. We also suspect the soldiers are checking out the new fence area as well. We are hopeful that any activity tonight will be closely watched by the USBP scope-truck and our Minutemen as well.

We are all aware of the Mexican Military helping the drug cartels with crossing the border. Earlier this week there was a major confrontation in Texas between the USBP and the Mexican Military. What we witnessed today was a minor event, although odd.

The wind on post tonight is strong and brings the wind chill down quite a bit, in fact the Minuteman reporting in; his teeth were chattering from the bitter wind. If there are IAs in that area, they will certainly be moving tonight just to stay warm.

See you on the border.


Stacey O'Connell
Minuteman
Patriots Border Alliance

MEXICAN MILITARY SPOTTED LESS THAN A MILE FROM PBA POST

Confirmed with P6 only moments ago, Mexican Military have set up only yards from the border across from a PBA post in Cochise County AZ. Unknown number of soldiers/drug smugglers at this point, they are hidden and being watched carfeully as I write this. Glenn Spencer and his team is on site, along with some Minutemen, cameras at the ready, along with other items. USBP just arrived to observe as well.

More info to follow as I get updated with a full report this evening.

October 15, 2007: New Mexico Operation Update by Cajun

October 15th --Mid month started off with a bang! Early morning scout "Corruption" sighted 3 IA's and BP picked them up. We move our night line and the action started around 20:50 hrs With 3 more IA's in the light up mode! BP got 2 ! So there goes our 100% record! Then at about 23:00 hrs 2 IA's walked by and said "HOWDY" and kept on walkin! -----right into our backup line outpost! BP was there in a flash ! Total for October 15th  8 - reported! 7- picked up by BP!

October 14, 2007: From the Border by Sandy Doty

Here's the report on the great cook out on Saturday.  As it turned out, Stacey did most of the cooking as Bob Wright was just too busy chewing the fat with everyone....  After Stacey had had enough smoke in his eyes, Bob took over.  The secret ingredient for the meat was provided by one of our local volunteers--a Whiskey spice rub for beef.  The cooks used it on everything:  Buffalo steaks, hamburgers, turkey burgers and rattlesnake. Something for everyone!  Pam at the Palominas Trading Post provided the most wonderful coleslaw and potato salad; we had those wonderful green eggs that had been donated deviled up; veggies and dip, chips, salsa, cakes, and a fabulous watermelon filled with cut fruits.  What a great meal--no one needed to eat the rest of the day!

It's been a busy weekend but we are back to normal now.  As seen on the website, we had an excellent operation on Saturday night--the Lone Ranger's last hurrah!  He and Bobby had pre-scouted the area meticulously and had an excellent game plan to ensure that any illegals passing that way would be apprehended by the Border Patrol.  We sure will miss those professional Minutemen!!!

The team sighted 10 and only one got away from the BP.  These folks were OTMs--from probably Guatemala.  They were very small people and they had a little girl with them. Can you imagine dragging a child across a foreign border and subjecting them to the heat of the desert during the day and the cold at night?  Our guys and gals suit up with lots of warm clothing when they go out for their night shift on the line--the folks they encounter don't have nearly as much warm clothing to protect them from the elements.

Today, our day shift was just approaching their observation area when they encountered 6 illegal aliens, including one woman.  They were lying on the ground but jumped up quickly and took off running.  The BP was called but several pick up trucks picked them up before the BP could get there.  As one of our volunteers stated, "they move pretty quickly this close to the border because they haven't traveled that far yet, so they aren't tired." That certainly was the case when we saw that one with the big pack of drugs last week--he zigged and zagged all over the place to avoid capture by the BP.

One of our observation areas is looking right over the border where we are observing a lot of activity in an old plant just across the border.  It appears as if illegal aliens are being brought to this area and then moving out a few at a time.  They have rides coming into the plant and then under tree cover, they move north to cross our border.  BP seems aware of this activity as they frequently park in the vicinity.  But there just aren't enough of them to stem the flow....  All this is near where the U.S. fence is supposed to be built but now the construction has stopped, so they are taking advantage of the opportunity to sneak across the border.

Everyone is looking forward to next Sunday's rally for the BP officer who has been accused of killing an illegal alien who was trying to throw rocks at him.  Apparently the Sheriff left a major piece of evidence behind when he was investigating the death--gloves worn by the rock thrower.  Since his bare hands showed no evidence of handling rocks, obviously the BP officer must have shot him for no reason--the prosecutor claims.  The Freedom Riders will be here as well as T. J. Bonner to speak on behalf of the wrongly accused BP officer. We are pleased the Patriots' Border Alliance can assist with this important rally of support for this Border Patrol officer.  Meanwhile, in Phoenix, we understand that yet another illegal alien has shot a policeman.  What is going on here?  I guess if that policeman had dared defend himself, he would also be accused of trying to kill these good folks who are just coming across the border for jobs....  We are thankful that his bullet-proof vest saved the officer's life, at least!

Mid-Month Operation Update by Stacey O'Connell

Minutemen & Supporters,

We are half way through our first 30 day mission, Allied Minutemen and things can not be better! Tonight I am happy to report that between our NM and AZ operations, we have 74 Sightings with 42 Apprehensions. Both Sectors are reporting in that sightings are down compared to previous operations in those locations, and we are finding that true in other border watch areas as well. What can we attribute that to? There is only one thing-and that is the hard stance that the Minutemen have taken over the past 3 years or so. By standing post on a constant basis, we have helped bring pressure and attention to our government about our open borders and pathetic policy enforcement. Tonight, we have an increase in USBP agents in the field, some National Guard building fences in high profile crossing areas, and lower crossing rates in and around those areas. With 3-5000 illegal aliens still crossing daily, we need to keep the pressure on.

Arizona Operations are at full swing. Right now most of the activity is going on late at night, so we maintain a night shift daily. Each night, Minutemen gather their gear, head to a briefing, and head out for an 8 hour shift somewhere close to high traffic areas along the border. We also have put out a small day time shift as well on certain days, and that shift and location is active DAILY!

Last night, our lines spotted a coyote leading a group of nine through the border. The sighting reported by none other than our Lone Ranger and Minutemen on his post using thermal imaging gear. Folks-this stuff really works!

By the way, if you are ever in need of a great security detail or private investigative work, please look him up at www.joeadamspi.com Lone Ranger, we hope to see you back again soon, and thank you for all you have done for the volunteers.

Chromedome and I put on a nice display of grilled buffalo steaks, hamburgers and rattlesnake for the volunteers in camp. Thank you to that special Minutewoman who donated the buffalo steak. They were delicious! Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and exchange while gathering to wait for chow. It was a wonder how we got so many full bellies out on the lines Saturday night!

Next Sunday we will be hosting the American Freedom Riders in our camp for a rally. Make plans to come watch the bikers come in droves, and listen to speakers such as TJ Bonner of the National Border Patrol Council, Cindy Kolb & Glenn Spencer. For more information, please see www.AmericanFreedomRiders.com

We will have a special surprise guest at our closing ceremonies at the end of the month, please stay tuned for that information in the coming week. Also, please stay tuned to the PBA website for daily updates and information on operational events as they occur. Its updated daily with stories, photographs and statistics; and make sure you visit the Forums to check in on daily stories and comments as well. I want to continue to thank the fine people over at American Border Patrol as well, Glenn Spencer runs a fine organization!

Have a great week everybody, and I will see you on the border!

Semper Vigilans,

Stacey O'Connell
Minuteman

Illegals Spotted by PBA and Picked Up by the Border Patrol on October 13

Thanks to PBA member "Annie Oakley" for these photos:

October 11, 2007

It was a quiet night on the old Naco line last night.  Fortunately,  despite the wind, it wasn't that cold.  Lots of old friends showed up last night after the line went out, so today should be a day of friendship renewal, in addition to service to our country later today. Everyone is looking forward to the great "cook out" between Marine1 and Chromedome. We had some buffalo steaks donated by one of our local volunteers; as well as lots of eggs, which we cooked up last night and made into deviled eggs.  We sure do appreciate all the support we receive from the nice people down here.

What was most interesting yesterday was the opening of the "evidence bags" from layup sites. 

The Lone Ranger and Bob had found the items in their daily scounting efforts.  Sheriff Dever was here for that to ensure the items found were handled appropriately.  Photographer Bob from Washington took pictures as the bags were opened and imagine our surprise when we discovered a brand new Mexican flag in one of them--along with a bus ticket with a person's name on it.  There were other valuable items that will assist the Border Patrol in their efforts to protect this area.  Some of the back packs had food and water and clothing which reaffirmed our earlier impression that people
here are aiding those coming across.  Some of the crossers don't even carry a backpack because they are sure that everything they need to continue their journey will be waiting for them in a layup site.

October 10, 2007: From the Border by Sandy Doty

Lay ups, lay ups, lay ups--they are everywhere down here. Yesterday's reconnaisance uncovered a cell phone in a back pack which was immediately turned over to the Border Patrol, with their thanks.  On tonight's mission, they will be pretty much surrounded by lay ups. Our great line leader, the Lone Ranger, gave another inspiring pre-muster briefing, so everyone left in high spirits, hoping to provide more assistance to the BP.

Last night was pretty quiet, but the days are getting busier.  We have a day watch now and yesterday they sighted 3 right by Glenn Spencer's property; today 12. Pineapple6 saw 2 on the road and BP picked them up.  They had been traveling 4 days and were pretty hungry, having come up from central Mexico.

We learned some fascinating facts about rattle snakes yesterday at the San Pedro Riparian Area.  This is important because some volunteers have expressed some anxiety about sitting out in snake country.  In Arizona last year, there were 309 rattlesnake bites. 304 of those occurred to people who were either handling the snakes or trying to move or kill them.  Four bites happened to folks who ventured out at night in bare feet and stepped on a rattle snake.  Only ONE was a truly accidental snake bite.  And guess who the folks were who were handling the rattlers?  Young guys trying to show off in most instances.  So the moral of the story is, leave the rattlers alone and they won't bother you; but also, look out where you step at night.

We have several volunteers staying up at Spencer's ranch tonight--in the Taj Mahal of tents.  It turns out there isn't a fridge, but there is wi-fi, and a generator so life on the internet remains uninterrupted.

We were disappointed at the Judge's ruling about the San Pedro fence today--building has been stopped to await environmental studies and public input.