An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Rio Grande Sector Border Patrol Agents Seize Over 800 Pounds of Marijuana

Rio Grande Sector Border Patrol Agents Seize Over 800 Pounds of Marijuana

Release Date
Mon, 12/21/2020

EDINBURG, Texas– Over the weekend, Border Patrol agents interdicted multiple marijuana smuggling attempts

Friday afternoon, Brownsville Station agents working in Brownsville, Texas, observed multiple individuals near a Chevrolet Tahoe parked on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande. The Tahoe was then seen leaving the area and driving on Military Highway. Agents attempted to initiate a vehicle stop but the suspect failed to yield. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers in the area, assisted Border Patrol by taking over the pursuit. The driver of the Tahoe changed direction of travel and began driving towards the Rio Grande. The suspect vehicle was eventually driven into the Rio Grande where it was partially submerged. The driver and a passenger were seen swimming into Mexico. Agents retrieved 15 bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 348 pounds with an estimated value of $278K. The marijuana and vehicle were turned over to DPS.

Later that day, Fort Brown Border Patrol agents working in Brownsville, Texas, were advised of three subjects carrying bundles of suspected narcotics near Highway 4. Agents searched the area where the suspects were last seen and discovered three abandoned bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 114 pounds with an estimated street value of over $91K. The suspects were not located.

Last night, Rio Grande City agents working near El Refugio, Texas, observed a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed away from Rio Grande and onto the Expressway 83. Agents then observed the vehicle drive into a nearby neighborhood. The occupants of the vehicle were seen abandoning the vehicle and running into a nearby residence. Agents discovered the abandoned vehicle and inside found four bundles of marijuana weighing 348 pounds with an approximate value of $278K. The suspects were later taken into custody by the Rio Grande City Police Department . The marijuana and vehicle were turned over to the Rio Grande City Police Department.

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.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021