Giant Weed is the US/Mexico border enemy

Forget the illegal aliens and drug runner murderers using the border as a walk-through to America. Today comes this story from Homeland Security News Wire:

Giant weed complicates border security

5 January, 2012

Densely packed and growing to 30 foot heights, the cane provide cover for illegal activities, including human and drug smuggling // Source: albufera.com

To add to the difficulties of patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border, an invasive species of giant weeds has infested rivers throughout the southwest, particularly the Rio Grande in Texas, providing dense cover for illegal activities.

The weed, commonly known as Carrizo Cane in Texas, is a bamboo-like plant that grows rapidly to heights of more than thirty-two feet. The cane has proven to be so problematic DHS recently began creating a plan to control the giant plants’ spread.

Determining the exact areas where the weeds have taken root is difficult as they are often in inaccessible regions and difficult to distinguish from other vegetation by air, but researchers recently undertook a careful study of the plants using aerial photography to identify areas the giant reed has infested along the border. The study is the first accurate estimation of where the weeds are and will help land owners and conservationists by allowing them to estimate water usage and economic losses...

Who knew??? Read the rest of the story here.