DEL RIO, TEXAS—U.S. Border Patrol agents, throughout Del Rio sector, seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana, and assisted in seizing nearly $150,000 in U.S. currency.
Wednesday, in three different incidents, agents from the Eagle Pass North, and Uvalde stations seized 1,024 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $820,096.
In the first incident, Eagle Pass North agents conducting linewatch operations near Normandy received information of several suspicious trucks leaving an area known for illicit activity. Shortly after, agents in the vicinity located one of the vehicles exiting a local ranch. While agents were conducting a vehicle stop, they observed in plain view four military-style duffel bags in the back seat of the vehicle. A further search of the vehicle revealed a total of six military-style duffel bags. The duffel bags contained 426 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $341,536. The driver and narcotics were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In the second incident, agents from the Eagle Pass North station received information of a suspicious Toyota SUV near an area known for narcotics smuggling. As agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, the driver sped away. After a short pursuit, the driver stopped, but attempted to abscond. Agents apprehended the subject after a short foot chase. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed five military-style duffel bags in the back of the vehicle. The duffel bags contained 417 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $333,760. The driver, vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Maverick County Sheriff.
In the third incident, Uvalde station agents received information of a suspicious vehicle seen parked on the side of Highway 57 that was possibly being loaded with undocumented aliens. Agents observed a vehicle matching the description, and as they began following the vehicle, the driver came to a stop. Both the driver and passenger attempted to elude agents, but agents were able to apprehend the driver after a short foot chase. A search of the vehicle revealed three military-style duffel bags containing 181 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $144,800. The driver, vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In a separate incident on the same day, Uvalde station agents assisted a Zavala County Sheriff's Deputy on a vehicle stop. Records checks of the driver and passenger revealed they had extensive criminal histories involving narcotics and human smuggling. Agents received consent from the driver to conduct a canine sniff of both the interior of the vehicle. The subsequent searched revealed several duct-taped packages hidden in a bucket of lard and bag of flour. The packages contained a total of $149,810 in U.S. currency. Both the driver and passenger were arrested by the deputy. The vehicle and currency were seized by Zavala County Sherriff's Office.
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 2013, the Del Rio sector has seized over 21,000 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $14 million.