DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents throughout Del Rio Sector seized more than 1,800 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value topping $1.4 million in recent weeks.
On June 11, agents from the Eagle Pass Station were patrolling along Highway 277 when an Office of Air and Marine helicopter pilot spotted several abandoned bundles on a nearby ranch. The pilot guided the agents to the location of the bundles, which contained 46 pounds of marijuana, worth approximately $36,960. Agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the marijuana.
On June 6, agents from the Brackettville Station were doing routine patrols in the Quemado area when they spotted five subjects running toward the Rio Grande River. As an agent tracked the subjects he discovered four bundles that were taken to the station to be tested. The bundles contained 273 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $218,800. DEA took custody of the contraband.
On June 5, agents from the Eagle Pass Station were conducing linewatch operations near the Rio Grande when they discovered footsign of several subjects heading toward Highway 277. They followed the tracks with the assistance of a Border Patrol canine and discovered four abandoned military-style duffel bags. The bags contained 227 pounds of marijuana at an estimated value of 182,160. The marijuana was turned over to DEA.
In several other incidents from May 9 to May 28, agents from the Del Rio Sector seized more than 1,300 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $1 million.
The Del Rio Border Patrol Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. For Fiscal Year 2014, the Del Rio Border Patrol Sector has seized more than 15,300 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $12.3 million dollars.