Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector agents seize of more than 571 pounds of marijuana in four separate incidents.
On Tuesday morning, Rio Grande City agents responded to a reported drug smuggling event near Roma, Texas. As agents arrived, they observed five drug smugglers swim back to Mexico. Agents searched the immediate area and discovered three bundles of marijuana, weighing more than 200 pounds, valued at over $162K.
That same day, agents working in Roma, Texas, responded to a reported drug smuggling attempt involving a dark colored Ford F-150 pickup. While responding to the location, agents received additional information indicating the driver of the Ford F-150 off loaded several bundles at a nearby residence and abandoned the pickup. Agents searched the property and discovered more than 230 pounds of marijuana, valued at over $186K. Agents located the driver on Farm to Market Road 649 and arrested him.
Hours later, Brownsville agents observed multiple drug smugglers travelling north of the Rio Grande. As agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the drugs and attempted to abscond. A search of the area resulted in the arrest of two Mexican nationals and the seizure of two bundles of marijuana. The drugs weighed 70 pounds, valued at $56K.
This morning, a Fort Brown agent on patrol near Brownsville, Texas, observed three subjects running north of the river levee carrying bundles of marijuana on their backs. As additional agents arrived to the area, the smugglers abandoned the drugs and attempted to flee. An immediate search of the area led to the arrest of two Mexican nationals and the seizure of more than 71 pounds marijuana, valued at over $57K.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation. The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.
