EDINBURG, Texas –Over the weekend, agents seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana, arrested two men, and seized one truck connected to a smuggling attempt.
Friday night, Fort Brown agents working in Brownsville, Texas, observed two drug smugglers walking north of the Rio Grande. As agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the bundles and fled. An immediate search of the area led to the discovery of two bundles of marijuana and the arrest of a Mexican national. The drugs weighed 50 pounds, valued at $40K.
Two hours later, agents responded to a second drug smuggling attempt in Brownsville, Texas. Upon arrival, agents observed two smugglers drop the bundles of marijuana and flee to Mexico. Agents searched the area for additional subjects and drugs to no avail. The bundles weighed 49 pounds, valued at over $39K.
On Sunday, Weslaco agents responded to a reported drug smuggling attempt near Pharr, Texas. As agents arrived at the location, they found several drug smugglers in the dense brush. The smugglers immediately abandoned the marijuana and fled to Mexico. Agents successfully recovered five bundles of marijuana weighing more than 116 pounds. The drugs are valued at over $93K.
A few minutes later, Falfurrias agents working at the checkpoint referred a GMC pickup to for secondary inspection after a Border Patrol K-9 alerted. At secondary, an inspection of the truck’s toolbox revealed 114 pounds of marijuana in a hidden compartment. Agents arrested the man and seized the vehicle. The marijuana is valued at over $91K.
Later Sunday evening, Rio Grande City Border Patrol agents seized more than 68 pounds of marijuana after discovering it in an abandoned house in La Rosita, Texas. The drugs are valued at over $54K.
Also on Sunday night, Weslaco agents working near Hidalgo, Texas, observed several suspected illegal aliens running south towards the Rio Grande. Agents searched the area and discovered more than 142 pounds of marijuana abandoned in hay bale storage shed. The drugs are worth over $113K.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382
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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.
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.