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  4. Over $1.5M of Narcotics Intercepted by Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol

Over $1.5M of Narcotics Intercepted by Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol

Release Date
Mon, 11/16/2020

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector Border Patrol agents seize more than $1.5M worth of narcotics over the weekend. 

On Friday evening, RGV agents working in Escobares, Texas, observed a large raft containing numerous bundles being pushed across the river by approximately 15 subjects. The drug smugglers made landfall on the U.S. riverbank and made their way northbound with ten bundles. When agents made contact with the group and identified themselves, the subjects abandoned the ten bundles and retreated to Mexico. The bundles containing marijuana weighed approximately 450 pounds with an estimated street value of $360K.

Early morning Saturday, Harlingen agents working in Los Indios, Texas, observed three subjects carrying bundles north of the levee. Agents responded and apprehended the three Mexican nationals. The bundles contained marijuana and weighed approximately 127 pounds with an estimated street value of $101K.

On Saturday afternoon, Rio Grande City (RGC) agents working in El Refugio, Texas, observed several subjects carrying bundles walk through the brush towards a Lincoln Aviator waiting near the river. As agents responded to the area, the occupants of the vehicle absconded and fled to Mexico, leaving behind three bundles of marijuana. The marijuana weighed approximately 175 pounds and had an estimated street value of $140K.

Additionally, agents working at the Falfurrias Border Patrol Checkpoint on Saturday evening seized over $915K worth of methamphetamine.

The narcotics seized by Border Patrol were turned over to investigating agencies, and all subjects were processed accordingly. 

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”   

Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation.  The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection.  Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021