Edinburg, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized close to 11,000 pounds of marijuana since Monday. The seizures spanned from the Rio Grande and north to the Falfurrias and Sarita Border Patrol checkpoints.
One of the largest seizures occurred Monday when Falfurrias agents seized more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana concealed within a load of produce from a tractor-trailer.
Tuesday, Weslaco Station agents apprehended a group of five Mexican nationals and seized 148 pounds of marijuana south of Donna while tracking fresh foot sign leading north from the river.
At about 1 a.m. Wednesday, McAllen agents seized close to 500 pounds of marijuana near Hidalgo after a brief pursuit with a vehicle.
Thursday, Rio Grande City agents seized 119 pounds of marijuana near Escobares after tracking fresh foot sign into dense brush from the river.
These are only a few of the seizures that occurred daily since Monday. In total, more than 6.5 tons of marijuana were seized with a cumulative value of more than $8.7 million.
"Severe weather did not stop the attempts of smugglers to bring drugs into our communities, nor did it stop the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol from diligently carrying out their duties," Acting Chief Patrol Agent Eligio Peña said. "Even though our agents were out helping the public during stormy conditions, their steadfastness in safeguarding our borders and accomplishing our mission never wavered."
To report suspicious activity, contact the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector's toll-free telephone number at 1-800-863-9382.