Texas Gets Second Predator Drone for Border Protection

McALLEN, Texas (AP) _ Federal officials say Texas will receive its second unmanned drone to patrol the Mexican border by the end of the year.

The Corpus Christi-based drone will be the last of the six drones planned to fly the U.S.-Mexico border assisting in the fight against drug and human trafficking.

Three Texas congressmen had asked Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano in April to add two new drones in Texas, but the second new drone will go to Arizona. The planes have been making daily flights along the Texas border since last year.

U.S. Maj. Gen. Michael Kostelnik, who oversees the drone program for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, confirmed the placement of the drone in a congressional hearing Tuesday.

Texas shares a 1,254-mile border with Mexico.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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