American Notes TEXAS

Without question, Rocky and Barco are the best agents the Border Patrol has in South Texas. In just eleven months on the job they have helped seize $128 million worth of cocaine and other drugs coming into the U.S. from Mexico. So effective are they that angry dopers are reported to have put out $30,000 contracts on their lives.

Are Rocky and Barco worried? No, but their handlers are. The two agents are Belgian Malinois, a breed of dog similar to the German shepherd that sniffs out drugs. "The South has never seen anything so good," said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Jack Vickery, who last week announced that there would be additional protective measures for the dogs. Next week, four new members of the canine corps will report for duty.