Five Apprehended in Three Separate Cases
DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents working in the Del Rio Sector seized 1,007.3 pounds of marijuana, valued over $805,840.00, as well as 6.4 pounds of methamphetamine, worth $201,389.00, in five separate incidents. Three United States citizens and two Mexican nationals were arrested in conjunction with these seizures.
pounds of marijuana worth $268,480.00.
“The men and women of the Del Rio Sector Border Patrol fight against extensive networks of drug trafficking organizations on a daily basis,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak. “I am proud of the personal commitment and perseverance of our agents that are inherent in these seizures.”
On Feb. 1, an agent from the Eagle Pass Border Patrol Station was conducting line-watch operations from a concealed position slightly north of Eagle Pass. The agent observed five subjects emerge from the brush and load large, green military-style duffel bags into a waiting automobile. Shortly thereafter, another agent attempted to interdict the vehicle on an adjacent highway. The driver failed to stop and after travelling several miles, the man bailed out of his vehicle near Quemado. He attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a short distance by multiple law enforcement officers. In total, 435.6 pounds of marijuana valued at $348,480.00 was seized from the car; and the driver, a United States citizen from Eagle Pass, was arrested. The man, the vehicle, and the seized contraband were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. On Feb. 21, Eagle Pass agents were alerted to several individuals traversing a remote area of Normandy. Agents proceeded to the general vicinity and located an abandoned feed sack of marijuana in the brush. Other agents continued to comb the area where they found two Mexican nationals and two other feed sacks of marijuana. After a brief foot chase, both subjects were apprehended. The total amount of marijuana seized was 236.1 pounds valued at $188,880.00. Both subjects and all narcotics were turned over to DEA.
On Feb. 2, Del Rio Sector Agents were contacted by a citizen in Del Rio who reported a suspicious vehicle. Agents responded to the area and discovered a truck with bundles of apparent narcotics wedged in between the bed wall and bed liner of a truck. The contents of the bundles tested positive for methamphetamine - a total of 6.2 pounds, valued at $198,369.00, was seized and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
On Feb. 5, agents from the Uvalde Border Patrol Station were patrolling an area commonly utilized for alien and narcotic smuggling when they discovered foot sign of suspected traffickers. The agents followed the foot sign and, with the assistance of a Border Patrol canine, were able to locate seven abandoned duffel bags of marijuana strewn in some brush near a trail. The military-style duffels yielded 335.6 pounds of marijuana worth $268,480.00. The narcotics was turned over to DEA. On Feb. 14, a Uvalde Station agent, patrolling near Crystal City, performed a vehicle stop in an area commonly utilized for alien and narcotics smuggling. Assisted by a Dimmit County Sheriff’s deputy, the agent discovered drug paraphernalia within the car and recovered a package thrown from the vehicle prior to being pulled over. The package contained approximately 127.5 grams of methamphetamine worth approximately $3,150.00. The Dimmit County Sheriff’s Office took custody of the subject, vehicle, and narcotics.
For Fiscal Year 2017, which began on Oct. 1, 2016, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector has seized more than $5.8 million worth of narcotics. The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll free number at 1-866-511-8727.