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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents seize marijuana after driver plunges SUV into river

Release Date
Mon, 09/14/2015

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector seized nearly 500 pounds of marijuana Thursday afterSUV that ran into the Rio Grande to elude agents a suspected smuggler plunged the vehicle he was driving into the Rio Grande.

The incident took place at approximately 4:30 p.m. when agents assigned to the Brownsville Station were advised of possible illegal activity on the eastside of Brownsville.  As the agents neared the area, they saw a white SUV driving north from the Rio Grande.  As the driver of the load vehicle noticed the agents, he made a U-turn and headed back to the river.  Moments later, agents saw the vehicle submerged in the water and the driver swimming back to Mexico.

A local wrecker removes SUV from the Rio GrandeA local wrecker service retrieved the vehicle from the water. Upon further inspection, agents discovered six bundles of marijuana, with an estimated value of $380,000, inside the vehicle.

The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the vehicle was seized by Border Patrol.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector is part of the Joint Task Force-West South Texas Corridor, 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.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021