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  4. Rio Grande Valley Agents Seize over $500K of Drugs in less than 24 Hours

Rio Grande Valley Agents Seize over $500K of Drugs in less than 24 Hours

Release Date
Fri, 06/05/2020

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents arrest four smugglers, seized over 650 pounds of marijuana and two vehicles in three separate incidents.

Yesterday afternoon, Fort Brown agents responded to a reported drug smuggling attempt near Brownsville, Texas. Moments later, agents received additional information of a Ford Mustang picking up several subjects with marijuana bundles. Agents observed the suspect vehicle abruptly stop, and its occupants exiting the vehicle in an attempt to flee. Agents arrested the U.S. citizen driver, two Mexican nationals and seized 100 pounds of marijuana, worth $80K. A search of the area yielded negative results for additional smugglers or drugs.

This morning, Rio Grande City agents observed several drug smugglers walking north of the Rio Grande. As the agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers dropped the bundles and swam back to Mexico. Agents searched the immediate area and arrested one Mexican national and seized seven marijuana bundles. The drugs weighed more than 455 pounds, worth more than $365K. The Starr County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force took custody of the drugs.

An hour later, agents near Escobares, Texas, observed multiple drug smugglers load bundles onto a white Chevrolet pickup. The pickup traveled north at a high rate of speed towards U.S. Highway 83. Moments later, the driver of the pickup suddenly stopped and abandoned the vehicle after seeing agents in the area. A search of the pickup revealed 115 pounds of marijuana, worth $92K. Agents searched the area for the driver to no avail. 

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382. 

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.

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