LAREDO, Texas – The first seizure took place on June 23, 2017, after Border Patrol agents seized 1,731.71 pounds of marijuana in Laredo, Texas. Agents at the Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate Highway 35 encountered a U-Haul truck at the primary lane. The driver was questioned regarding his immigration status and consented to further inspection. A non-intrusive inspection of the cargo area of the U-Haul revealed anomalies in the cargo area and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the presence of concealed humans and/or narcotics. A further search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 44 bundles of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes. The marijuana was estimated to have a value of $1,300,000.00. The driver, a United States Citizen was arrested. The driver, vehicle and marijuana were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The second seizure took place on June 24, 2017, after Border Patrol agents seized 1,101.76 pounds of marijuana in Zapata, Texas. Agents observed a suspicious white Ford F-150 on Highway 83 and attempted a vehicle stop. When agents approached the vehicle it drove away and was later found abandoned with 49 bundles of marijuana in the cab and bed of the truck. The marijuana was estimated to have a value of $881,408.12. No arrests were made. The marijuana and the vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.