EDINBURG, Texas – Over the last four days, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents seized over 1,300 pounds of marijuana and 13 pounds of cocaine.
Friday evening, Rio Grande City agents working near Garceno, Texas, observed a dark colored Chrysler Pacifica travel north of the Rio Grande. As agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, the driver pulled over and abandoned the vehicle containing several bundles of marijuana. The drugs weighed 259 pounds and are worth over $207K. Agents searched the area for the driver to no avail.
An hour later, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents working near La Rosita, Texas, observed several drug smugglers load bundles of marijuana into a blue GMC Yukon near the Rio Grande. The vehicle then traveled towards U.S. Highway 83 and upon seeing the responding agents, the driver abruptly stopped and absconded into the brush. A search of the vehicle revealed 432 pounds of marijuana worth over $345K.
On Monday afternoon, Falfurrias agents working at the checkpoint referred a commercial passenger bus for secondary inspection. At secondary, a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to an unclaimed suitcase containing over 13 pounds of cocaine worth over $417K.
That same night, McAllen agents working in Los Ebanos, Texas, responded to a suspected drug smuggling attempt at a well-known smuggling location. As agents arrived, they observed several subjects swimming back to Mexico. Agents searched the area with the assistance of a National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter and discovered 170 pounds of marijuana valued at $136K.
Minutes later, Rio Grande City agents observed several drug smugglers carrying bundles of marijuana walking north of the Rio Grande. As agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the bundles and fled to Mexico. A search of the area led to the discovery of 344 pounds of marijuana valued at over $275K.
Additionally on Monday, Border Patrol agents seized over 100 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents worth over $80K.
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.