Violence stemming from drug wars south of the U.S. border has complicated efforts to fight fruit flies, broadcaster KRGV reported.

Texas Citrus Mutual president Dale Murden told KRGV unrest in Mexico made matters difficult for the country's authorities.

"I do get reports back from USDA’s counterpart in Mexico. They are not able to do certain scouting efforts or trapping efforts mainly due to the cartel violence," told the broadcaster.

"They aren’t able to do their job for safety reasons.

"What you see over here is probably a lot of what you see over there. Maybe not so much the commercial groves, but they do have a lot of citrus on properties."

However, Mexican Fruit Fly Rearing Facility Director Hugh Conway said the U.S. authorities were still maintaining a good barrier even though there were some reintroductions every year, the story reported.

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