EDINBURG, Texas ̶̶ Border Patrol agents apprehended a convicted murderer at the Falfurrias Checkpoint and seized more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana in the western area of the Rio Grande Valley Sector on Nov. 3.
The apprehension occurred when agents at the Falfurrias Checkpoint discovered that a passenger in a vehicle was illegally present in the United States. During processing, records checks revealed the man was convicted of murder in the state of Florida in 1996 and had also been previously deported from the U.S. The man will be prosecuted for illegal re-entry.
Pickup truck filled with bundles containing nearly 1,200 pounds of marijuana seized by RGV Sector Border Patrol agents.
The larger of the two marijuana seizures occurred south of Rio Grande City when an Office of Air and Marine (OAM) helicopter spotted smuggling activity near the Rio Grande. Agents, along with game wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, quickly responded to the area and encountered a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck traveling north from the river. As the driver of the pickup truck noticed the agents, he made an abrupt U-turn and headed back to the river. Agents and game wardens then discovered the truck abandoned with nearly 1,200 pounds of marijuana inside.
The second seizure occurred in the Falcon Heights area when air assets spotted suspicious activity. Agents responded to the area, and with the assistance of an OAM helicopter, seized nearly 350 pounds of marijuana.
The marijuana from the two seizures has an estimated value of more than $1.2 million. It was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.