Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Since Monday, Border Patrol agents seized more than $2.2M worth of marijuana.
On Monday morning, Weslaco agents working near Mercedes, Texas, received information of several drug smugglers walking north of the Rio Grande. While responding to the area, agents received additional information of a silver Dodge van travelling north at a high rate of speed. Upon seeing the agents, the driver turned the vehicle around and abandoned it near the Rio Grande. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered several bundles of marijuana inside. The drugs weighed more than 266 pounds, worth an estimated $213K.
That same day, Rio Grande City agents on patrol near Roma, Texas, observed five suspected drug smugglers travelling north from the Rio Grande towards an abandoned home. Responding agents arrived at location and discovered more than 174 pounds of marijuana abandoned with an estimated value $139K. Agents searched for the smugglers to no avail.
A few hours later, Rio Grande City agents working near Garceno, Texas, observed multiple drug smugglers walking north on a well-known smuggling trail. As agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers dropped the marijuana bundles and fled to Mexico. A search of the area led to the discovery of more than 227 pounds of drugs, worth more than $181K.
On Tuesday, agents from the Rio Grande City station received information of an on-going narcotics smuggling attempt in Fronton, Texas. Additional information indicated the driver of a dark colored Chevrolet sports utility vehicle (SUV) drove towards the river and picked up several bundles of marijuana and fled the area at a high rate of speed. The driver of the SUV changed direction and drove south towards the Rio Grande once he observed agents in the area. Upon arriving at the Rio Grande, the driver submerged the SUV into the river in a desperate attempt to avoid capture. After extracting the SUV from the Rio Grande, agents discovered more than 65 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $52K.
The following morning, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents working near La Barreras, Texas, observed multiple drug smugglers load up several bundles of marijuana into a dark colored Chevrolet SUV. The driver of the vehicle departed the area but changed course towards the river after encountering several agents. As the vehicle arrived to the Rio Grande, the driver exited the vehicle and swam to Mexico. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of more than 249 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $199K.
Additionally, Border Patrol agents seized an additional 1860 pounds of marijuana worth more than $1.4M in six separate incidents.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
