EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Sector have seized more than $5 million worth of marijuana in multiple seizures since the first of the month.
Marijuana bundles seized by Rio Grande Valley agents
The largest seizure occurred Wednesday morning near La Casita when agents observed footprints of several people walking north from the Rio Grande. The agents followed the trail and discovered several bundles of marijuana abandoned in the brush. With the help of a K-9, the agents were able to locate 11 more bundles. The marijuana had a total weight of more than 1,000 pounds and was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Seized vehicle filled with marijuana bundles
In a separate incident, agents observed five smugglers carrying bundles of narcotics north from the Rio Grande near La Rosita. When agents identified themselves, the smugglers immediately dropped the bundles and fled back to Mexico, leaving behind nearly 300 pounds of marijuana. An Office of Air and Marine unit responded to the area and observed several subjects on the south side of the river near the area of the seizure.
Seized vehicle filled with marijuana bundles
Additional seizures brought the total amount of marijuana confiscated since the beginning of March to more than 6,300 pounds.
For Fiscal Year 2015, which began Oct. 1, Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector have seized more than 234,000 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $187.2 million.
The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the South Texas Campaign, 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.