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  4. Rio Grande Valley aerostat leads Border Patrol to nearly $1M worth of marijuana

Rio Grande Valley aerostat leads Border Patrol to nearly $1M worth of marijuana

Release Date
Thu, 12/21/2017

LA CASITA, Texas – On Wednesday, December 20, 2017, agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Border PatrolAlmost $1 million in marijuana seized by Rio Grande City Agents Station confiscated over 1,100 pounds of marijuana near La Casita, Texas. The operator of an aerostat, a tethered surveillance balloon, spotted an SUV heading south toward the Rio Grande and alerted agents. Upon arrival to the scene, agents discovered an abandoned SUV and bundles of narcotics. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations pilots observed 14 subjects abscond into Mexico on two rafts. The 13 bundles of marijuana, estimated to be worth $926,813.84, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and to help save lives by reporting suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.

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

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021