A man named only as "Ayers" of Arivaca, AZ, is interviewed. He witnessed a Huey type helicopter landing on the Tres Bellotas Ranch 11 miles north of the border on 22 April 2005. Another witness was the driver of a fuel truck on the site to make a delivery.
Ayers, who speaks limited Spanish, said he stood between the truck and the helicopter.
"When I approached them, I saw on their sleeves it said, 'Mexico.' There were five of them. They were fully clad, with masks over their faces. They had helmets on and body armor and were all carrying rifles," he said. "I told them they were in the United States and they had no business here and to go back home."
Ayers said the men held him at gunpoint as the leader kept asking about the truck and finally ordered everyone back into the helicopter and flew away.
Ayers said the men's uniforms said "AFI" on the back in big letters, but he thought they could also be drug smugglers...After the men in the helicopter took off, Ayers tried to call for help with his cellphone but could not get a signal. The Tres Bellotas Ranch has no telephone lines. The tanker driver was able to call authorities from a nearby ranch. Ayers said he waited several hours and then, when no one came, he headed home... Gus Soto, a Border Patrol Agent and spokesman, confirmed there was an investigation into the suspected incursion but said there were "conflicting reports" about what happened from the witnesses.
The tanker driver, contacted by The Republic, declined to be interviewed for this story. The FBI declined to comment... |