Speech #970244797

Department of Agriculture. commonly known as tick inspectors or river riders. make daily patrols of the United StatesMexican border to prevent the illegal entry of animals into the United States. The inspectors are authorized. pursuant to section 5 of the act of July 2. 1962 (title 21 United States Code section 134d). to stop and inspect. without a warrant. any person or means of conveyance moving into the United States from a foreign country to determine whether such person or means of conveyance is carrying any animal. carcass. product. or article regulated or subject to disposal under any law or regulation administered by the Secretary of Agriculture for the prevention of the introduction or dissemination of any communicable animal disease. Tick inspectors patrol the river border alone. on horseback. and are exposed to smuggling. cattle rustling. and the movement of illegal aliens along the international border. In addition. reports from Federal. State. and local law enforcement agencies indicate that narcotics smuggling occurs in this patrol area.