Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Multi-agency collaboration leads to the seizure of three marijuana smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of 642 pounds and is valued at over $500K.
Yesterday, an agent assigned to the Rio Grande City (RGC) Border Patrol Station encountered shoe prints of a few subjects leading away from the Rio Grande and going north into a brushy area south of La Grulla, Texas. Agents followed the trail until they came upon three abandoned bundles of marijuana. After a further search of the area, eight subjects were located hiding approximately 10-15 yards away from the bundles. This interdiction resulted in the apprehension of eight subjects and the seizure of more than 138 pounds of marijuana valued at over $111K.
Yesterday evening, a Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) Trooper requested assistance from RGC Border Patrol with a vehicle they were pursuing possibly involved in narcotic smuggling on U.S. Highway 83 in Roma, Texas. RGC agents responded to assist TX DPS and encountered the vehicle abandoned at a residence in Escobares, Texas. Authorities found eight bundles of marijuana within the abandoned vehicle. Escobares Police Department officers also arrived on scene and ultimately seized the marijuana and the vehicle. The weight of the marijuana was approximately 453 pounds and worth almost $363K.
Last night, an agent assigned to the Weslaco (WSL) Border Patrol Station working near Mercedes, Texas observed a subject in the brush carrying a bundle of marijuana. Agents and a K-9 responded and encountered and apprehended the suspect without incident. An abandoned bundle of marijuana was also seized in close proximity to where the suspect was apprehended. The subject self-admitted to being a Mexican citizen illegally present in the United States and furthermore identified himself as a “PAISA” gang member. The bundle of marijuana weighed almost 50 pounds and is valued at approximately $40K.
All the marijuana seized was processed and will be turned over to the appropriate authorities.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
