EDINBURG, Texas – Since Monday, Border Patrol agents foiled six drug smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of more than 400 pounds of marijuana, and the arrest of five drug smugglers.
Monday night, Fort Brown agents working in Brownsville, Texas, observed two smugglers walking north from the Rio Grande towards the levee. As the agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the marijuana bundles and swam back to Mexico. Agents seized nearly 50 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $39K.
Minutes later, agents observed another smuggler walking north with a bundle on his back. As agents responded to the area, the smuggler dropped the marijuana bundle and swam back to Mexico. The marijuana weighed over 24 pounds, worth more than $19K.
The following morning, McAllen agents on patrol near Havana, Texas, observed multiple smugglers carrying bundles on their backs. As the agents approached the drug smugglers, they abandoned the bundles and attempted to abscond. Agents searched the immediate area, arrested a Honduran and Guatemalan national and seized more than 114 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $91K.
That same day, Brownsville agents responded to a reported drug smuggling attempt in area known for human smuggling and narcotics trafficking. Once in the area, agents searched and located shoe prints in an agricultural field. As the agents followed the prints, they observed three smugglers running south towards the river. Agents arrested two Mexican nationals and seized more than 107 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $85K. An additional search of the area for the third smuggler yielded negative results.
Hours later, Fort Brown agents on patrol near the Rio Grande observed two illegal aliens running south towards the Rio Grande and swimming back to Mexico. Agents searched the immediate area and discovered two bundles of marijuana. The drugs weighed more than 49 pounds, worth more than $39K.
This morning, agents observed two smugglers walking north with bundles on their backs. As the agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers dropped the bundles in an attempt to flee. Agents searched the brush and arrested a Mexican national and seized 90 pounds of marijuana, worth $72K. While conducting the search for the drugs, agents reported seeing the second smuggler swimming back to Mexico.
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.