EDINBURG, Texas – In the last four days, Rio Grande Valley agents have seized marijuana, methamphetamine and fentanyl in separate incidents.
Sunday night, Rio Grande City agents working near Escobares, Texas, witnessed a dark colored Chevrolet pickup travel south towards the banks of the Rio Grande. Upon arrival, multiple subjects began to load bundles of drugs into the pickup. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle fled the area at a high rate of speed before turning around and driving back towards the river after responding agents approached. Agents observed the driver swim to Mexico. A search of the truck led to the discovery of nearly 300 pounds of marijuana worth more than $238K.
Yesterday afternoon, McAllen agents working near the Rio Grande in Havana, Texas, observed fresh shoe prints on the river road. The area in question is well known for drug and human smuggling attempts. Agents and a Border Patrol K-9 team followed the tracks into the brush and came upon a group of smugglers who absconded back to Mexico. A search of the immediate area led to the discovery and seizure of more than 230 pounds of marijuana worth more than $184K.
Later that evening, Fort Brown agents working in Brownsville, Texas, responded to a report of a suspected drug smuggling attempt. Upon arrival, agents with the assistance of a Border Patrol K-9 team discovered more than 98 pounds of abandoned marijuana. The drugs are worth over $78K. Agents searched the immediate area for the smugglers to no avail.
Early this morning, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents were advised of an incident that occurred last night near La Casita, Texas. Agents followed the route of travel of the previous incident and discovered an abandoned backpack and several bundles of fentanyl near the road in the high grass. Agents secured the narcotics and a Border Patrol K-9 team was requested to conduct an additional search of the location. The K-9 team safely cleared the area for any additional narcotics. Agents seized nearly 20 pounds of fentanyl and is worth more than $635K.
Additionally, on Saturday agents working at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint seized more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine worth more than $775K during a failed drug smuggling attempt.
Border Patrol processed the cases accordingly.
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.
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