WASHINGTON — A Drug Enforcement Administration report indicates terrorist sleeper cells in the United States are working with Mexican drug cartels to fund terror operations, according to a published report.

The sleeper cells and drug traffickers are transporting narcotics and other contraband across American borders, according to a report published by the Washington Times.

Rep. Ed Royce, ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs terrorism and nonproliferation subcommittee, said the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) document — first reported yesterday by The Washington Times — highlights how vulnerable the nation is when fighting the war on terrorism.

"I'll be asking the terrorism subcommittee to hold a hearing on the DEA report's disturbing findings," said Mr. Royce of California. "A flood of name changes from Arabic to Hispanic and the reported linking of drug cartels on the Texas border with Middle East terrorism needs to be thoroughly investigated."

"I have been ringing the bell about this serious threat of Islamic individuals changing their surnames to Hispanic surnames for three to four years," Mr. Culberson said. "Unfortunately, Homeland Security's highest priority is to hide the truth from Congress and the public. I just hope we're not closing the barn door after terrorists have already made their way in."

The task force investigator estimates he made at least 65 to 70 drug buys during the investigation, generally paying $60 to $65 per pill for OxyContin.

He said a bottle of 100 80 mg OxyContin, which he identified as one of the popular prescription drugs on the black market, can be purchased legally from a pharmacy for about $986 cash, or less if the purchaser has insurance. The dealer can turn around and resell the pills individually and make $6,000 on the street, he said. He said it's not unusual for a dealer to move 900 pills in two hours.