DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents throughout Del Rio Sector seized more than 2,300 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value topping $1.8 million in recent weeks.
On April 11, agents from the Eagle Pass Station received a citizen call-in of possible narcotics stashed in the brush near a residential area. Agents searched the area and found four military-style duffel bags containing 240 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $192,160.
On April 12, Eagle Pass agents were conducting linewatch operations in an area known for human and illegal narcotics smuggling when they observed several individuals fleeing from a ravine. As agents approached the ravine they discovered four green duffel bags. The fleeing subjects were subsequently apprehended and taken to the station with the narcotics for processing. The duffel bags contained 352 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $281,920.
On April 22, agents from the Eagle Pass South Station, conducting linewatch operations, observed a group of individuals carrying large duffel bags away from the Rio Grande River. When agents intercepted the subjects and attempted to identify themselves, the subjects fled into the brush. After a short pursuit, agents were able to apprehend one subject and five duffel bags. The duffel bags contained 203 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $162,416.
On April 26, agents from the Uvalde Station were conducting roving patrol operations on U.S. Highway 57 when they received a look-out advisory of individuals in a mini-van seen picking up several subjects with duffel bags along the highway. Agents located the vehicle and followed it into La Pryor, where they made contact with the driver and passengers. The vehicle contained 102 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $82,080. Four undocumented immigrants were also arrested.
That same day, Eagle Pass South agents conducting linewatch duties encountered footprints leading away from the Rio Grande River. After following the footprints agents discovered two duffel bags. A subsequent search, using a canine, led agents to three subjects hiding in the brush. The duffel bags contained 140 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $112,352.
On April 28, agents from the Eagle Pass Station arrested one individual and seized four duffel bags of marijuana after following footprints near Highway 277. A total of 270 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $216,720 was inventoried.
On May 2, Carrizo Springs agents, conducting checkpoint operations on Highway 277, directed the driver of a Ford F-350 flatbed truck to a secondary inspection area after a service canine alerted to the rear of the truck. Agents then discovered that the flat bed on the vehicle contained compartments that housed cellophane-wrapped bundles. A total 770 pounds of marijuana were discovered worth an estimated $616,528.
On May 6, agents assigned to the Uvalde Station, performing roving patrol duties on Highway 57, attempted to conduct a vehicle stop near Batesville. The driver of the vehicle accelerated to high rate of speed before driving the vehicle off the road and into a fence. The driver and passenger then fled the scene on foot. The vehicle contained four duffel bags with a total of 227 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $182, 000.
All cases were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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 over 13,400 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $10.5 million dollars.