Mr.
Schiff: Hi, welcome to "FBI 100, A Closer
Look." I'm Neal Schiff of the Bureau's Office
of Public Affairs along with FBI Historian Dr.
John Fox. John, in the 1920s there was quite a
plan hatched in California involving weapons,
cars, Mexicans, and the FBI, then known at the
Bureau of Investigation?
Dr.
Fox: "Neal a former Mexican official named
Enrique Estrada was trying to get together an
army in Southern California to go back to Mexico
and overthrow the government. The FBI learned
of the plot and stepped in to investigate."
Mr.
Schiff: How did they plan to take over Mexico?
Dr.
Fox: "Well Estrada bought a large number
of rifles. He armored a truck. Bought an airplane
for reconnaissance and tried to round up as many
immigrants in the Southern California area as
possible who would join him; pay them $50, $60;
give them a new canteen, weapons and ammo, and
lead an army over the border."
Mr.
Schiff: But good planning and coordination
helped prevent the action in Mexico, right John?
Dr.
Fox: "Yes Neal the Bureau along with California
and Arizona police and many other officials were
able to stop it. Including good cooperation from
the Mexican government who obviously would be
very concerned about the possible plot being hatched."
Mr.
Schiff: From the FBI's Public Affairs office,
along with Bureau Historian Dr. John Fox, I'm
Neal Schiff with "FBI 100, A Closer Look."
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