Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Over a three day period, Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents halted six narcotic smuggling attempts.
On Friday, agents working at the Javier Vega, Jr. checkpoint referred a tractor trailer for secondary inspection after an alert by a Border Patrol K-9. At secondary, agents inspected the cargo and discovered more than 15 pounds of cocaine hidden amongst the cargo. The cocaine has an estimated worth of more than $484K.
On Saturday, Brownsville agents received information of multiple subjects smuggling narcotics toward a nearby business. Agents and a Border Patrol K-9 team arrived and conducted an immediate search of the area, and discovered multiple bundles of marijuana hidden inside bins containing used clothing. An additional search of the area, led to the arrest of two Mexican nationals. The marijuana weighed over 120 pounds worth an estimated $97K.
A few hours later, Rio Grande City agents working in La Rosita, Texas, responded to a report of multiple subjects walking north of the Rio Grande carrying large bundles. As agents responded, the smugglers abandoned the bundles and fled back to Mexico. Agents seized seven bundles of marijuana weighing over 404 pounds worth an estimated $324K. While searching for additional bundles, agents observed 14 subjects absconding back to Mexico.
On Sunday, Rio Grande City agents working near Garceno, Texas, received information of a vehicle suspected of carrying narcotics travelling north of the Rio Grande. As the vehicle travelled towards Expressway 83, the driver turned the vehicle around and travelled south towards the river. The driver abandoned the vehicle after agents successfully deployed a tire deflation device. Agents searched the area for the driver to no avail. A search of the vehicle revealed more than 189 pounds worth an estimated $152K.
Additionally on Sunday, agents seized more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $1.25M in two separate incidents.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
