EDINBURG, Texas – Border Patrol agents seize marijuana and cocaine over the span of several hours.
Last night, agents assigned to the Harlingen Border Patrol station observed subjects carrying bundles of marijuana as they illegally entered the United States. As agents approached, the smugglers fled south, towards the Rio Grande. Agents apprehended two subjects and seized four bundles of marijuana weighing 167 lbs. An air asset from the McAllen Air Branch was called in to assist in searching the area for additional smugglers and riverine agents reported seeing one suspect swim back to Mexico.
Earlier in the day, agents working near Los Ebanos, Texas, discovered 100 lbs. of abandoned marijuana. A search for the smugglers was unsuccessful.
Additionally, Border Patrol agents working at the Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint in Sarita, Texas, were conducting checkpoint operations when a Toyota Tacoma arrived at the primary inspection area. During the immigration inspection, a K-9 alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded several bundles of cocaine, weighing 23 lbs. Agents placed the United States citizen driver under arrest.
The driver and cocaine were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
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.