A deputy sheriff warned federal lawmakers Friday that drug traffickers are helping suspected terrorists cross from Mexico into Texas.

Val Verde County chief deputy Terry Simons offered little evidence publicly of his claims before congressmen at a meeting in Houston.

The FBI couldn't immediately confirm the lawman's account.

Simons says Texas authorities have learned of newly established camps in Mexico, where so-called "narco-terrorists" are getting trained.

Congressman John Culberson says the FBI told him that suspected terrorists have adopted Hispanic surnames and are blending in with other illegal immigrants.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn, appearing in Austin, said immigration reform and border security are high on the chamber's agenda and could be addressed as early as mid-March.

Earlier Friday in San Antonio, federal authorities announced nearly 30 arrests and the seizure of explosives, machine guns and other weapons in a crackdown that started in July in Laredo.