KRGV.com

LAREDO - Testimony taken from open court suggests Mexican drug cartels are setting up training camps on both sides of our border.

Five days of testimony in the trial of alleged hitman Gerardo Castillo Chavez offered a rare glimpse into cartel operations. Sworn witnesses admitted to knowing of Zeta training camps in Mexico and the United States.

"On both sides of the border, you have these large ranches; we've known for years the criminal organizations will buy these ranches so they can pass contraband or use them as staging training places," says Scott Stewart, vice president of tactical intelligence for geo-political intelligence-based agency STRATFOR.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there's some training here," says Stewart.

He's seen videos shot by the Mexican military. A remote ranch just a 90-minute drive from the Valley served as staging and training grounds for the cartel.

"Some of them are quite large. Often they locate them in ranches that they'll purchase or squat on and drive off the legitimate owners," says Stewart.

Stewart admits it isn't as easy to get away with operating a training camp on this side of the border.

"They have to be more careful operating in the U.S. because of law enforcement," says Stewart.

He says the possibility exists. Testimony also suggests the cartel uses paintball guns for training. It's very similar to what law enforcement uses on this side of the border.