EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Falfurrias, McAllen, Weslaco and Kingsville Texas Border Patrol stations apprehended seven men with prior arrest records or gang ties. Of the seven arrested, four were El Salvadoran nationals and three were Mexican nationals. Their prior arrests were for a range of charges such as: assault to commit sexual abuse, homicide and injury crime, sexual battery to a child, assault with a firearm on a law enforcement officer, aggravated homicide, and sexual assault. Additionally, one of the men is a member of the 18th Street gang.
Bundles containing 560 pounds of marijuana seized by Border Patrol agents near Garciasville, TX
In addition, Border Patrol agents confiscated nearly 6,500 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of more than $5.3 million, in numerous seizures over the past seven days. In one of the larger hauls, Rio Grande City Station agents near Garciasville, seized nearly 560 pounds of marijuana when they encountered fresh footprints leading north away from the Rio Grande. With K-9 assistance they followed the tracks and found eight bundles of marijuana hidden in the thick brush.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the South Texas Corridor, which leverages federal, state and local resources to combat transnational criminal organizations. To report suspicious activity, call the sector’s toll-free telephone number at 800-863-9382.
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