EDINBURG, Texas – Since Wednesday, Rio Grande Valley agents intercepted three drug smuggling attempts that resulted in the seizure of more than 700 pounds of marijuana.
Wednesday night, Fort Brown agents working near Brownsville, Texas, observed two subjects carrying suspected bundles of narcotics walking away from the Rio Grande after they illegally entered the United States. As the agents moved in to intercept, the smugglers dropped their bundles and attempted to evade arrest. A Border Patrol K-9 team searched the area and located the two Mexican nationals involved in the failed drug smuggling attempt. The marijuana weighed more than 70 pounds and is worth an estimated $59K.
The following morning, agents working near Weslaco, Texas, responded to the report of illicit activity involving multiple subjects near the Rio Grande. As the agents arrived to the area, they witnessed a man carrying a suspected bundle of narcotics walking toward the river. As the agents moved closer, he dropped the bundle and jumped into the river. Agents observed the man and seven other subjects swim to Mexico. A search of the area led to the discovery of 187 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $149K.
A few hours later, Rio Grande City agents working near La Rosita, Texas, witnessed several subjects carrying suspected bundles of narcotics make landfall on the U.S. riverbank. Moments later, agents observed the smugglers load bundles of drugs into a Chevrolet sports utility vehicle (SUV) parked near the Rio Grande. As the SUV departed the area, nearby Border Patrol agents responded and intercepted the vehicle before it could enter any major roadways. The driver abandoned the SUV on the side of the road and fled on foot. Inside the SUV, agents discovered more than 460 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $375K.
Border Patrol processed the cases accordingly.
The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.
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.