Border Patrol seizes more than 800 pounds of marijuana in 24 hour period in the Rio Grande Valley

EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents continue to disrupt marijuana smuggling attempts throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

On Sunday morning, Kingsville agents assigned to train check duties near Sarita, Texas, boarded a rail car after a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the cargo. Upon inspection, agents discovered eight duffle bags containing 70 bundles of marijuana weighing over 390 pounds worth an estimated $315K.

Later that afternoon, agents observed a Chevrolet Impala traveling away from the Rio Grande at a high rate of speed in a desolate area near Donna, Texas. As mobile units approached the vehicle, the driver attempted to evade agents and eventually abandoned the vehicle. Agents arrested the driver after a Border Patrol K-9 successfully located him hiding in the brush nearby. Inside the vehicle, agents discovered 11 bundles of marijuana weighing over 320 pounds worth an estimated $261K.

The following morning, Fort Brown agents observed several subjects carrying bundles of narcotics near Brownsville, Texas. As agents responded, the smugglers abandoned the bundles and fled to Mexico. A search of the immediate area resulted in the arrest of Mexican juvenile and three bundles of marijuana weighing over 100 pounds. The narcotics are worth an estimated $81K.

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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