>>> we're back now with a frightening look at the dangers facing american farmers and ranchers living under the constant threat of violence, in constant fear all because of where they happen to live and work along our nation's southern border with mexico. nbc's mark potter reports tonight in his award-winning series of reports "the war next door ."
>> there it is there. a large narcotics load under the helicopter.
>> reporter: south of the texas border on the mexican side of the rio grande , surveillance video of what police say are smugglers loading illicit drugs bound for the united states .
>> one, two, three, four, five, six, seven bundles.
>> reporter: they are floated in rafts and carries across private property in the u.s. where increasingly american farmers and ranchers along the border say they and their workers are being confronted, even threatened by armed mexican traffickers.
>> reporter: it clearly has intimidated u.s. citizens who, in many cases, don't believe they are safe on their own land in their own country.
>> they went off road, avoiding the spikes.
>> reporter: fearing retribution, this farmer says he was told by a federal agent to protect himself.
>> one of them recommended that i look into buying a bullet-proof vest.
>> reporter: while you're farming?
>> while i'm farming.
>> reporter: the problem isn't just confined to those right on the border. also affected are land owners miles inland where smuggling is still a huge problem.
>> how does this look? mike vickers leads a group of texas land owners who work closely with law enforcement . they worry about mexican drug and immigrant smugglers trampling their land.
>> this was cut, no question. it was cut and pulled up.
>> reporter: with hidden cameras they have documented waves of smugglers crossing private property .
>> he's carrying at least 40 pounds of drugs in that backpack. we suspect cocaine.
>> reporter: vickers said many families have moved for safety while others arm themselves.
>> this is happening on american soil. this is a war zone . no question about it.
>> right beside the helicopter.
>> reporter: the obama administration and local officials dispute the war zone claim but with mexican traffickers not letting up, u.s. land owners are asking for more federal protection at the front door to their own country. mark potter , nbc news along the rio grande .
Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/45440396/
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