NEAR SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Organized crime is making attempts to exploit the Gulf of Mexico and lack of barriers in the Rio Grande Valley.

Federal court documents state U.S. Coast Guard officers recently tried to pull over a lancha in American waters.

Four people were in the boat as it sped off away from officers.

The U.S. Coast Guard Corpus Christi sector information officer, Hamilton Thomas, says lanchas most commonly cross into U.S. waters to fish illegally.

Drug smugglers also use the boats to get their loads across.

KRGV’s Daisy Martinez spoke with Border Patrol chief Deputy Raul Ortiz. He admits waterways are fair game for smugglers.

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