EDINBURG, Texas – Since Monday, Border Patrol agents foiled five drug smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of more than 600 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of seven drug smugglers.
Monday night, Weslaco agents responded to a reported drug smuggling attempt in Hidalgo, Texas. Agents conducted a search of the area and discovered six bundles of marijuana, weighing more than 142 pounds, worth more than $114K. An additional search of the area for the drug smugglers yielded negative results.
On Tuesday, Fort Brown agents working in Brownville, Texas, observed multiple drug smugglers near the river levee carrying bundles of marijuana on their backs. When the agents attempted to arrest them, the smugglers abandoned the bundles and hid in the nearby brush. Agents searched the area, arrested three Mexican nationals, and seized three bundles of marijuana. The drugs weighed over 74 pounds, worth more than $59K.
Minutes later, Fort Brown agents encountered a second set of drug smugglers walking north of the Rio Grande. As the agents attempted to arrest them, the men dropped the bundles and ran back to the Rio Grande. A search of the area led to the discovery of three Mexican nationals and three bundles of marijuana. The drugs weighed over 74 pounds, worth more than 59K.
The following day, Rio Grande City agents working near La Rosita, Texas, discovered five abandoned bundles of marijuana hidden in the brush. Agents searched the area for the smugglers to no avail. The drugs weighed 212 pounds, worth more than $169K.
Additionally, this morning, Falfurrias agents working at the checkpoint seized 185 pounds of marijuana, worth $148K.
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.