US/Mexico Border?

[paddyhasneeds]

OK silly question time but...

Just been watching Channel 4 and there was a piece about the Mexican drug trade and the amount that flows into the US.

Geek that I am I decided to take a look on Google Maps at the Mexico/US border. Understatement I know, but how the fk do they even begin to control what gets over/under/through a border of that size?

Somehow the mental image of the Border Guard patrolling in his 4x4 out in the desert somewhere seems an awful lot smaller.

[Jimbeaux]

paddyhasneeds said:

OK silly question time but...

Just been watching Channel 4 and there was a piece about the Mexican drug trade and the amount that flows into the US.

Geek that I am I decided to take a look on Google Maps at the Mexico/US border. Understatement I know, but how the fk do they even begin to control what gets over/under/through a border of that size?

Somehow the mental image of the Border Guard patrolling in his 4x4 out in the desert somewhere seems an awful lot smaller.

Very difficult. In recent years, they have placed ground hugging radar and other sensors. Air patrols at night that pick up infrared trip alarms which interlock the area are becoming more common as well. It is still a very pourous border. Water stations are maintained throughout. We want to catch them but not have them die of thirst.