Suspects Tear Down Part of U.S.-Mexico Border Fence for Scrap
by Amanda Wills
Published on September 3rd, 2009
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Six people were arrested last week in Tijuana, Mexico for allegedly tearing off large parts of the fence that lines the U.S.-Mexican border. According to The New York Times, the group was planning to sell the fence as scrap metal.
Six suspects in Tijuana are accused of attempting to dismantle part of the border fence in order to sell it for scrap metal. Flickr/Brian Auer
Located just a mile west of the San Ysidro port of entry, the group was seen trying to “dismantle” the fence, and the Mexican police were notified.
While several people have tried to scale the fence, deface it and even tunnel under it, authorities say trying to sell it has been a first.
The group used a soldering tool to cut the fence. Border Patrol Spokesman Mark Endicott told The New York Times that the part of the fence the group was trying to take apart was made of recycled steel landing mats from the Vietnam War era.
Although the recession has caused a significant decrease in demand for scrap metal, experts say the industry is bouncing back, in spite of its current, shaky state in the U.S.
While steel trade between the U.S. and Mexico typically averages 6.5 million net tons annually, Purchasing.com reports that Mexican-made steel may be available at bigger bargain prices for buyers in the U.S. and Canada throughout 2009.
