COPS Season 23, Episode 2, “Customs and Border Patrol
Ah yes, COPS. I have a very soft spot when it comes to FOX’s 2nd longest running show, and the worlds longest running reality show! If its not drug busts, high speed chases or tracking down some dangerous criminals, COPS would have been cancelled a long time ago. However, COPS has done some special episodes over the years, Riding along with officers from Hong Kong, the US Border Patrol, London England, and of course, the Mardis Gras epsiodes that ran for nearly an entire season. I say, anyone who watch’s COPS most likely will have a new appreciation for the dangers that these men and women put themselves through to keep the general public safe. Its despicable that anyone, mostly people between 15-24 have hatred towards the police, when its their sworn duty to keep us safe.
Ferromex ES44AC entering the United States on COPS
Lets get to the episode in question here, The 2nd episode of COPS 23rd season. During this episode, the camera crew of COPS ride around with the United States Border Patrol around Laredo, Texas. The 1st segment, they seize a huge amount of Marijuana that was smuggled across the Rio Grande river, right in front of undercover, and hidden Border Patrol agents. The 3rd segment focus’s on Customs on Miami-Dade International Airport, where a gentlemen is caught importing Crack-Cocaine into the United States through his stomach.
Our focus is on the 2nd segment of the show. We are in Nogalas, Arizona at the US Border Patrol Point of Entry. We are fallowing Deputy George Gonzales and Officer Nathaniel Garcia as they walk down to the actual border to let a Ferrcarrilas De Mexicano (Better known as Ferrmoex) train that is heading to interchange with the Union Pacific come through the border gate. After opening the gate, we fallow Deputy Gonzales to the yard in Rio Rico where they will be inspecting the train after they got some intel that some of the Cement Hoppers (They actually us the proper terms) stayed in Mexico a couple extra days and were in a part of Mexico they were not supposed to be in. The train comes into site with Ferromex ES44AC #4654 (General Electric, Built, Erie, Pennsylvania, Frame and Serial # Unknown). As the train passes, the Border Patrol agents see two Mexican men riding on a CTRN Covered Hopper. One of the officers runs towards the car but the gentlemen pulls himself up to avoid being captured.
Two Illegal Aliens on a CTRN and another Unkown Covered Hopper
After running back to the patrol car, the officers see the two men jump off the moving train and into the somewhat dense brush area. However, their eluding does not last long and both men are eventually captured and taken into custody. As it turns out, both men have entered the United States illegally before, and both of them were caught and deported back to the Mexico. One of them had just been deported within in the last 15 days!
As for the equipment seen, its just an everyday, ordinary Manifest train, with modern high-horsepower General Electric motive power. Its nice to see some contemporary railroading for once, but then again, this is a reality TV show, so I doubt they would have had the budget to repaint all the equipment for just a c few minutes of air time. All that FOX did was blur out the Ferromex name. I don’t know why they do that, when the Paint Scheme of the locomotive will give it away to the Railfan and Railroad Employee. This is one of my favorite segments that have aired, and I keep have used this clip to show the dangers of illegal immigration, as train hopping is very dangerous and can easily kill. But still, this one is worth watching!
Until Next Time, Happy Railfanning! Remember, if you have any leads for future blogs, send them to me, You will be credited!
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