ROMA (AP) - Balloons tethered high above the Texas-Mexico border have already assisted Border Patrol agents less than two weeks into their testing period.

The captive balloons carry high-tech payloads of infrared and long-distance cameras.

Border Patrol spokesman Henry Mendiola declined to specify if the two aerostats had helped in seizing drugs or illegal immigrants. However, he said the balloons floating near Roma have been an effective new surveillance tool for agents.

Agents offered a glimpse of the capabilities Wednesday to media and government officials.

The devices are on loan from the Defense Department so that Customs and Border Protection can study whether they should be added to the its arsenal of border monitoring equipment. That arsenal already includes airplanes, helicopters, drones, ground-based sensors and agents.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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