By Jerry Seper

                                 Mexican soldiers pursued drug traffickers into the United
                                 States this month, firing their weapons at four smugglers
                                 and also shooting at a U.S. Customs Service agent investigating
                                 the incident.
                                       A Mexican military humvee crossed the border March 2
                                 near San Miguel, Ariz., 80 miles southwest of Tucson. Three
                                 shots were fired at the agent, who was alerted by a border
                                 alarm activated when the smugglers entered an area frequented
                                 by drug traffickers.
                                       The agent, in plain clothes and driving an unmarked vehicle,
                                 was unhurt, although the shots forced him to seek cover as the
                                 bullets whizzed by his head.
                                       Mexico has acknowledged firing shots at the smugglers but
                                 denied that troops had crossed the border. It said two
                                 smugglers were arrested when their pickup truck loaded with
                                 400 pounds of marijuana was halted south of the border, but a
                                 second truck fled into the United States.
                                       But Pima County, Ariz., sheriff's deputies said tire tracks
                                 and shell casings show the Mexican humvee traveled at least
                                 700 feet into the United States. The agent, who was not
                                 identified, also reported seeing the vehicle inside the border.
                                       The incident raised questions about border intrusions and
                                 hot pursuit. Mexican authorities have refused to allow U.S.
                                 drug agents or military personnel to pursue smugglers into their
                                 country.
                                       Arizona Reps. Ed Pastor, a Democrat, and Jim Kolbe, a
                                 Republican, have sought answers from the Customs Service
                                 and the State Department on what happened and why. Aides
                                 to the two congressmen said yesterday they had not heard
                                 anything new on the probe.
                                       "Any incursion is to be taken seriously. But if one is made
                                 unknowingly, in hot pursuit of criminals for example, I don't
                                 believe it is a matter that has to be handled at the highest levels
                                 of government," Mr. Kolbe said. "If either Mexico or the U.S.
                                 senses that an incursion is made deliberately, then I would urge
                                 the matter be handled at a higher, diplomatic level.
                                       "There should be a distinction between inadvertent and
                                 deliberate violations of sovereignty," he said. "We encourage
                                 Mexico to pursue and prosecute criminals, and we need to be
                                 supportive. It would be hypocritical if, after criticizing a lack of
                                 initiative, we turn around and chastise Mexico for exercising
                                 excessive zeal."
                                       After the shooting, customs agents returned to the border,
                                 where they met with the Mexican soldiers, who denied they
                                 had entered the United States or fired at the agent. Mexican
                                 Consul General Roberto Rodriguez supported the soldiers'
                                 account that the humvee stopped at the border to make an
                                 arrest and that a second truck fled into the United States.
                                       Customs, in a statement, said the unidentified agent
                                 responded about 6:30 a.m. to the alarm at the San Miguel gate,
                                 parked near the border and climbed an embankment to view
                                 the area. The agent then saw headlights of what appeared to be
                                 a humvee "north of the border and a man in olive drab uniform
                                 walking near a dirt road" that connects San Miguel with a
                                 highway frequented by drug smugglers.
                                       "The officer heard a rifle shot and then a bullet strike the
                                 embankment. The officer heard two additional bullets pass
                                 above his head. The officer took cover and heard a vehicle
                                 cross the metal cattle guard at the gate," the statement said.
                                       During the border meeting, Mexican soldiers showed
                                 customs agents two prisoners and 400 pounds of marijuana.
                                 The shooting was first reported by the Arizona Republic.