Texas game wardens beef up terror threat equipment, training

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials say their game wardens have acquired advanced detection equipment designed to block the smuggling of radiological or nuclear material from Texas coastal waters and waterways.

The agency said Monday its game wardens have been conducting land searches, water vessel exercises and dock searches since January as part of an intensive training program with the new tools.

The effort is in conjunction with U.S. Coast Guard and other federal agencies responsible for security.

Game Warden Assistant Commander Cody Jones says the actions are needed to combat illegal activity and terrorist threats. The Parks and Wildlife Department is Texas’ primary maritime law enforcement agency for 4 million surface acres of Texas coastal waters and 16 deep water ports.