Attorney General Holder says immigration agents will get new anti-drug powers

AG Holder says agents will get new powers

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder says federal immigration agents will get expanded powers to help fight Mexican drug cartels.

Holder says an announcement is imminent on a new agreement between the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

The agreement would allow more agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to engage in international drug investigations.

Currently, only some agents have that authority. The agency has tried for years to expand that number in negotiations with the Drug Enforcement Administration.