The silence of a South Texas sunrise is broken by the sounds of shouting, fists banging on doors, and the metallic clank of handcuffs as they clamp around yet another pair of wrists.

Interagency drug raids with neighboring law enforcement departments and other agencies have become a standard practice for rounding up known drug offenders in small towns. Interagency cooperation is not a new concept, said Cuero Police Chief Glenn Mutchler, who recalled cooperative efforts 25 years ago among the Edna -- where he was an officer -- Yoakum and Cuero police departments.

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