WESLACO – A homemade tool is being used as a new weapon against Border Patrol vehicles, according to the agency.

Border Patrol says criminal organizations are using caltrops to temporarily disable the vehicles.

"These caltrops, what they are, are homemade devices used to deflate the tires of our mobile units,” explains Border Patrol agent Marcelino Medina. "It requires the agent to get down and actually change out the tire. In that time that it takes to change out the tire, that area is open or susceptible."

He says this can prove costly in the fight against illegal activity.

KRGV’s Trason Bragg spoke with a resident who says he’s seen the environment near the river bank change over the years.

"It's frustrating, yes it is, the fact that these tactics that have been used in Mexico for a long time now being across the border and being used on out territory,” says resident Federico Franco Jr.

Watch the video above for the full story.