three suspected drug runners were wounded in a shootout with U.S. law enforcement officials this morning in the Rio Grande just south of Abram,

 three suspected drug runners were wounded in a shootout with U.S. law enforcement officials this morning in the Rio Grande just south of Abram, according to sources.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said, U.S. law enforcement officers participating in a multi-agency Texas Ranger Recon operation were fired upon from Mexico while attempting to interdict a large drug load, officials said in a news release from the state agency. An exact location was not given.

DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange said she couldn’t disclose whether any U.S. officers from the three participating agencies —Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Border Patrol and Texas Rangers — were struck or injured. She said the agents came under "heavy fire" but would not say how long the ensuing shootout lasted.

The incident occurred as a fleet of about five boats from both the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Border Patrol agencies were navigating the river, sources close to the investigation said.

At some point, someone from the Mexican side began throwing rocks at the agents, sources said, adding that it was not uncommon to see that type of behavior from suspected drug smuggling scouts who line the banks on a daily basis.

The officers at the scene heard shots and retaliated, sources said. DPS confirmed at least three were injured as a result, but officials did not disclose how many officers discharged their weapons.

“A suspicious vehicle on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande River was seen along with two cartel drug recovery boats,” DPS said in a statement. Officials, however, did not specify which cartel they were referring to or whether anyone was detained on either side of the border.

Mexican authorities were notified and reportedly arrived shortly after, said DPS spokeswoman Lisa Block. However, she could not say which Mexican agency responded.

When contacted by The Monitor, Mexican authorities and the Mexican military said they had not been made aware of the shootout.