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  4. Border Patrol Agents Seize Over $2M in Drugs in the Rio Grande Valley

Border Patrol Agents Seize Over $2M in Drugs in the Rio Grande Valley

Release Date
Thu, 12/17/2020

EDINBURG, Texas– This weekend, Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents seized marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin in separate smuggling attempts. 

Saturday afternoon, Rio Grande City agents working in La Grulla, Texas, observed multiple individuals running south on La Cuchilla Street towards nearby brush. Responding agents followed the individuals into brush. While searching for the subjects, agents discovered five bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 113 pounds with an estimated street value of over $90K. Agents also arrested two subjects suspected of being involved in the smuggling attempt. The subjects and marijuana were turned over to the Starr County Sheriff’s Office.

Later that evening, Rio Grande City agents working in Rio Grande City, Texas, were advised of several subjects carrying bundles of suspected narcotics in a ranch near the Rio Grande. Agents searched the area where the suspects were last seen and discovered eight abandoned bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 575 pounds with an estimated street value of over $460K. The suspects were later observed swimming across the Rio Grande into Mexico.

Last night, agents at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint conducted an immigration inspection on the passengers of a commercial bus. During the inspection, a service K-9 alerted to a bag inside the vehicle’s cargo area. A passenger on the bus claimed ownership and consented to a search of the bag. Agents discovered a small bundle, later determined to be cocaine, inside the bag. The bundle of cocaine weighed approximately 163 grams and has a value of more than $11K. The suspect was taken into Border Patrol custody and later turned over to the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office along with the narcotics.

Additionally, agents working at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint seized over $140K of methamphetamine, and more than $1.4M of heroin. The narcotics seized by Border Patrol were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection.  Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021