LAREDO, Texas – Border Patrol agents from the Laredo Sector seized narcotics and rescued 17 Illegal immigrants concealed inside a tractor trailer in separate incidents this week.
On June 29, 2015, Laredo North Station agents observed 5 subjects attempting to smuggle four bundles of marijuana into the United States while working their assigned duties. Upon encounter, the subjects absconded back to Mexico. Agents recovered four bundles of marijuana with a weight of 302.72 lbs. with an estimated value of $242,400.00 USD. The marijuana was turned over to DEA.
That same day, Laredo South Station agents observed some subjects loading up bundles of narcotics inside a vehicle. The subjects fled and absconded back to Mexico. Agents seized six bundles of marijuana totaling 493.00 lbs. with an estimated value of $394,400.00. No arrests were made. The marijuana was turned over to DEA.
On June 30, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo West Station discovered two suspicious tractor-trailers driving inside a ranch. The agents encountered the tractor-trailers and discovered a total of 64 bundles of marijuana wrapped in cellophane located inside the tank of one of the trailers. A total of 1,354.29 lbs. of marijuana with an estimated value of $1,084,408.00 was seized. Agents also discovered a Colt 45 semi-automatic pistol secured in a plastic gun box along with two magazines and ammunition. The marijuana, weapon, ammunition, magazines, and the tractor-trailers, along with subjects were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation. 
That same day, agents assigned to the Laredo North Station rescued a total of 17 illegal immigrants concealed inside a tractor-trailer at the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint located on IH-35. The driver was referred to secondary inspection where the agents discovered the undocumented immigrants in the unventilated cargo area. Homeland Security Investigations took custody of the driver for federal prosecution.
The last case on that same day, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Laredo North Station attempted to make a vehicle stop on a Grey F-250 by Hwy 44 near Encinal, Texas. The vehicle failed to yield and after traveling approximately one mile, the driver bailed out and absconded into the nearby brush. A search of the vehicle revealed several bundles of marijuana inside tool boxes in the bed of the vehicle. No apprehensions were made. The marijuana weighed 667.78 lbs. with an estimated value of $534,224.00 USD. The marijuana was turned over to DEA.
The Laredo Border Patrol Sector is part of the Joint Task Force West South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.
