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  4. 700K Worth of Drugs Kept Off the Streets in the Rio Grande Valley

700K Worth of Drugs Kept Off the Streets in the Rio Grande Valley

Release Date
Wed, 05/27/2020

EDINBURG, Texas – Border Patrol agents working in Starr County foil two drug smuggling attempts, yielding nearly 900 pounds of marijuana seized.

Yesterday morning, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents working near Escobares, Texas, responded to a reported drug smuggling attempt involving a maroon GMC Terrain. Agents observed the vehicle travel north at a high rate of speed and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, but the driver failed to yield. Officers with Roma Police Department, who were assisting, advised the agents they were in pursuit of the GMC Terrain that eluded agents. Moments later, the driver stopped and abandoned the vehicle. Agents searched the immediate area and discovered a man attempting to hide in the nearby brush. A search of the vehicle produced more than 186 pounds of marijuana worth $149K.

That same day, Rio Grande City agents observed several drug smugglers walking north of the Rio Grande with large bundles on their backs. When the agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the marijuana and fled towards the river, successfully swimming back to Mexico. Agents requested the assistance of a Border Patrol K-9 team and, after a thorough search of the brush, agents recovered 689 pounds of marijuana. The drugs are worth over $551K.  A secondary search of the area led to the arrest of three Mexican nationals who were attempting to hide in the brush. The Starr County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force took custody of the subjects and drugs.

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.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021